US Politics Thread 2021-24 [Archive] - Page 45

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Ostfriese

01-19-25, 05:07 AM

Oooh...

Be careful; dissing President Musk might get you in a heap of trouble; he might have his lackey Trump try to deport you... :03: :D

<O>

Yeah, he might try, but as I'm neither American nor live in the USA I am not worried :D

Skybird

01-19-25, 08:54 AM

I am looking forward to tomorrow. The outlook on the many juicy carricatures that we will see - it makes you slobber!

I hope the Tagesspiegel is in it again, they had some of the best on the Donald I have ever laughed about (by Klaus Stuttmann).

https://www.tagesspiegel.de/images/12791654/alternates/FREE_620/1732877015000/et-25-1-2024.jpeg

Klaus Stuttmann:
https://www.tagesspiegel.de/images/12791567/alternates/BASE_4_3_W600/1734352608000/frankfurt-am-main-deutschland-october-18-2023-klaus-stuttmann-1949-german-caricaturist-auf-der-75-frankfurter-bu.jpeg

August

01-19-25, 09:55 AM

Um yeah, sure, whatever. I don't claim anything other than what the statistics show. The 225 million will be disappointed as very few of them will be there and they were not there in 2016 as any photo will show. Your man is still a charlatan.

Yeah sure "statistics". :roll: First off it's 225 thousand, not million and i'd bet dollars against donuts that nobody has produced "statistics" on any of them.

mapuc

01-19-25, 11:17 PM

He got lots of job ahead of him I understand.

On the eve of his return to the White House, President-elect Donald Trump promised to sign a blitz of executive orders on his first day as president, telling supporters that he would move with "historic speed and strength" in the hours after taking the oath of office.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8ymk73xj5o

Markus

Skybird

01-20-25, 07:08 AM

Five misconceptions about Trump that the (German) media is all too keen to endlessly repeat.

https://www-focus-de.translate.goog/politik/ausland/usa/gastkommentar-von-gabor-steingart-hier-kommen-fuenf-irrtuemer-ueber-trump-die-die-medien-allzu-gerne-nachbeten_id_260649137.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp (https://www-focus-de.translate.goog/politik/ausland/usa/gastkommentar-von-gabor-steingart-hier-kommen-fuenf-irrtuemer-ueber-trump-die-die-medien-allzu-gerne-nachbeten_id_260649137.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp)

Trump and the Troubles of the Plain: “Europe will pay the price for American dissatisfaction” - Donald Trump's bold promises will put him under pressure in office, says Daniel Benjamin, President of the American Academy in Berlin. What that means for the new German government.

https://www-tagesspiegel-de.translate.goog/internationales/trump-und-die-muhen-der-ebene-europa-wird-den-preis-fur-die-unzufriedenheit-der-amerikaner-zahlen-13037875.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Raf1394

01-20-25, 07:34 AM

Skybird

01-20-25, 07:48 AM

I assume they target those who have no permission to stay, and entered without permission. This is what the term "illegal alien" means, or not?

I wish Germany would do that, too.

States must claim and have the right to determine who they need and so let in, and who they do not let in. Else, borders do nto make sense: if they are not being protected.

I do not let just everybody into my house just because he demands it. If he asks for permission, I ask questions and then decide, most likely against him. But the other has no right at all to just be allowed into my house. He must accept my "No" then, period.

Too many people these days think foreigners' demands must be our command. But that is not so.

Commander Wallace

01-20-25, 07:49 AM

Is it true, the US is gonna deport all illegal immigrants from the US, with a active search?

I'm not American. So i dont know whats happening. I rather ask you guys, then what they say on the news.

I guess they won't target legal migrants, visa workers, green card holders, legal immigrants in procedure of becoming US citizen?

That's a reasonable question. :yep:

President Trump was given a mandate by the majority of the American voting public. Trump along with Border Czar Tom Homan will target Gang members and groups like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua among others. 1.3 million have had hearings and been ordered to leave the U.S but stayed. They will be targeted as well.

A proposal has been made that those that leave voluntarily will still be able to submit applications for Immigration. Those that don't leave will be barred permanently.

Further, there are those from China, Russia, India and other countries that have Illegally entered the U.S and on an active terrorist lists. However, in the process of looking and finding them, anyone here Illegally is fair game.

I would also like to see the U.S ban foreign students from China who do little more than steal U.S intellectual property and research. It's time to recognize China for what it is, an adversary.

Skybird

01-20-25, 08:04 AM

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8r5g5dezk4o

Obviously I strongly disagree with the preemptive pardoning of Fauci.

Raf1394

01-20-25, 08:20 AM

Commander Wallace

01-20-25, 08:27 AM

If for example, an non-american. Wants to immigrate to the US. He wants to learn the language, work. Be part of society. With hoping to become a US citizen.

Would this be possible? Under Trump. Or harder rules.

It remains to be seen how Immigration will be affected with Trump as President. You mention, " He wants to learn the language, work. Be part of society. With hoping to become a US citizen " .

This is essentially the essence of Immigrants and the proper way to go about it. The general consensus of the invaders from Mexico and South America is their sense of entitlement. They bring crime and wore out their welcome and hopefully will be removed in short order. U.S Citizens don't want to be made financially responsible for these invaders.

Jimbuna

01-20-25, 08:34 AM

This is essentially the essence of Immigrants and the proper way to go about it. The general consensus of the invaders from Mexico and South America is their sense of entitlement. They bring crime and wore out their welcome and hopefully will be removed in short order. U.S Citizens don't want to be made financially responsible for these invaders.

Which is precisely how the UK citizens feel about those that enter our country in boats and dinghies.

The one subtle difference being you now have a government who is about to do something about it whilst we in the UK don't have such a luxury.

Commander Wallace

01-20-25, 08:49 AM

Which is precisely how the UK citizens feel about those that enter our country in boats and dinghies.

The one subtle difference being you now have a government who is about to do something about it whilst we in the UK don't have such a luxury.

I would be willing to bet the U.K will watch developments in the U.S very carefully. If things in the U.S resolve themselves, I'm sure common sense will prevail in the U.K and they will adopt a similar stance on invaders in your country as well. In the Legal system here, we routinely cite case law in the U.K and I know they cite our cases as well.

Raf1394

01-20-25, 09:12 AM

Agreed that people who enter the country. Need to come in legally (follow the rules and stuff like that)

I totally agree they target law breakers, drug dealers...ect...

But i think there are people who entered the country in a legal way. Or where starting up the procedure to get in the country, the legal way. but suddenly the rules change and they are gonna get treated like those illegal ones.
I think we have to examine each case individual. And see what the intention is.

i also read an article during Eisenhower. That he deported lots of migrant workers in the 1950's. People who actually worked on the farmlands to booster the US economy during WW2, or the war economy. When WW2 was over. It was like ''thank you, we don't you need anymore, get out''
In my opinion. You have too look at the intention of the individual. I don't care what race, country or religion he has. If that person comes to a country with good intentions. He is welcome.

He comes in to exploit the country, and do crimes, he is not welcome.
I'm a bit afraid, that the people with good intentions are also gonna pay the price.

em2nought

01-20-25, 09:41 AM

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8r5g5dezk4o

Obviously I strongly disagree with the preemptive pardoning of Fauci.

Skybird is starting to sound like a Trump voter. :up:

ET2SN

01-20-25, 09:45 AM

https://cdn.prod.dailykos.com/images/1389349/story_image/TMW2025-01-20colorXL.jpg?1737333061

Whatever.. :Kaleun_Goofy:

Aktungbby

01-20-25, 09:58 AM

...having a miserble morning watching the inauguration of Stormy's gigalo in the capital rotunda...disgusting. Putin must be happy; his 'agent' is now in the oval office...again??:'Merika has made the same mistake...twice! :shucks: :doh:

Commander Wallace

01-20-25, 10:05 AM

Skybird

01-20-25, 10:32 AM

Skybird is starting to sound like a Trump voter. :up:
The mountain of evidence and indications that speak against him is now impressively high, and it is negligent to ignore it. He and many tens of thousands of other decision-makers and pseudo-experts wordwide who have deceived, lied and hoodwinked us all around the world, knowingly - including me at the beginning - and who are still lying and deceiving us, should be held accountable and locked away for the rest of their lives. In view of the sheer scale of their crime and the gravity of their guilt, I do not forgive them, all the less so as they have shown no remorse and have not corrected themselves to this day. No forgiveness - not now, not in the future.

Before forgiveness comes repentance. Before repentance comes insight. They are still completely unrepentant and only seek to get away with it, even to make their past deeds a pattern for future deeds.

No forgiveness from my side, therefore. Never. I still become furious about that I believed them initially, in good faith.

Lesson learned.

Aktungbby

01-20-25, 10:45 AM

Mama Kamala and her left wingers would have been far, far worse. :yep:...oh yeah! "the lesser of two weevils"...:arrgh!: His first 'executive order' on the news this AM will be to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to: The Gulf of 'Merika!!?? The presidential candidate choices were so poor, I didn't bother to vote!:wah:

mapuc

01-20-25, 10:57 AM

It remains to be seen how Immigration will be affected with Trump as President. You mention, " He wants to learn the language, work. Be part of society. With hoping to become a US citizen " .

This is essentially the essence of Immigrants and the proper way to go about it. The general consensus of the invaders from Mexico and South America is their sense of entitlement. They bring crime and wore out their welcome and hopefully will be removed in short order. U.S Citizens don't want to be made financially responsible for these invaders.

This is not enough-A survey made by the Danish government show that certain citizens in Denmark are consciously working to undermine society from within, despite they are consider being fully integrated.

(This was a little detour from US-policy)

Markus

Skybird

01-20-25, 10:57 AM

The presidential candidate choices were so poor, I didn't bother to vote!:wah:

:up: Only those who refuse to legitimize the show reserve the right to criticise afterwards, the others lose their right to complain about what they voted for!:salute:

mapuc

01-20-25, 10:59 AM

:up: Only those who refuse to legitimize the show reserve the right to criticise afterwards, the others lose their right to complain about what they voted for!:salute:

95-99 % of the voters disagree with you-Only voters have the right to complain they say.
(I do agree with you fully)

Markus

Skybird

01-20-25, 11:18 AM

95-99 % of the voters disagree with you-Only voters have the right to complain they say.

Yes, they do, but it's still wrong. Cognitive dissonance. They have to believe what they are saying, otherwise they have a justification problem with themselves that makes them look pretty bad.

Only the very youngest and inexperienced first and second-time voters can be given the freedom to experiment and try out what it's like to vote. But at some point you should start to learn from your bad experiences and realize what you get when you vote. And if you continue to vote from then on, then you really have no right to complain. You go from being an inexperienced follower to an active accomplice.

That's why they want everyone to vote so badly. That makes you an accomplice. And accomplices are no longer free from complicity in the misdeeds in which they participate.

Whoever legitimizes the crime through consent is as guilty as the person who actively carries it out. From some age and experience with life and people on you should know what and whom you are dealing with when voting for politicians and parties.

Its a bit like with this old quote about socialism: he who is no socialist when he is twenty, is an immoral egoist. He who still is a socialist when he is thirty, is stupid.

mapuc

01-20-25, 02:38 PM

Did he disappoint you with his speech-Did you expect more or did you expect less ?

I saw part of the speech.

Markus

Catfish

01-20-25, 03:46 PM

Nothing anyone writes here wll change anything.
A self-declared "martyr sent by heaven", full of hate and lies.
So wait and see.

mapuc

01-20-25, 03:54 PM

Nothing anyone writes here wll change anything.
A self-declared "martyr sent by heaven", full of hate and lies.
So wait and see.

Not in here not exactly

His speech about Panama must have made the government in Panama a little nervous. He did not mention Canada or Greenland in his speech, he did however use the word expanding USA

The leaders, especially the Danish leaders are afraid Trump will leave NATO and let Europe take on Russia by them self.

Markus

Catfish

01-20-25, 04:49 PM

^ Europe doing something more.. maybe there is something good coming out of this ;)

1Patriotofmany

01-20-25, 05:10 PM

Pardons the whole family at the last minute. This really sets a new precedent.

Skybird

01-20-25, 06:05 PM

Actually, quite many single points he makes and goals he claims I could subscribe to.

But:

- the disruptive political costs.
- the financial costs.
- the things he can and will do and does not say openly.
- the revenge he threatened to take.
- the dystopian state design he is possibly implementing, liek from a dystopian SciFi novel.

Its certainly not the candy-sweet promises he makes that keep me away from him...

However, he promises to end woke insanity and gender idiocy and all that crazy madness stuff. I would be the last wanting to stop him from acchieving that. There are things more destructive in the world than a Trump. Also, there is a chance that he could sink a fist or two in the EU's big mouth. I would not complain about that either.

Has there been any talking recently about whether he intends to quit the WHO? Cant remember whether Kennedy brought that up or not.

Buddahaid

01-20-25, 07:41 PM

That was the most childish and pathetic inauguration speech ever made. What a tool.

August

01-20-25, 08:50 PM

That was the most childish and pathetic inauguration speech ever made. What a tool.

Well well, Budda has a negative opinion on Trump, surprise surprise. What's your take on Biden issuing all those last second pardons for Liz Cheney and the other swamp creatures?

Reece

01-20-25, 08:50 PM

"martyr sent by heaven"

Not by heaven Kai, of that I can be sure!! :oops::yep:

Commander Wallace

01-20-25, 09:00 PM

Well well, Budda has a negative opinion on Trump, surprise surprise. What's your take on Biden issuing all those last second pardons for Liz Cheney and the other swamp creatures?

I'm surprised you made it back from the Inauguration. I thought you would be a block of ice right now. :yep: Were you in the Capital One Arena ? Did you get your Trump Token / Medallion ?

I saw a bit of the Inauguration on the Fox Network, here and there.

Buddahaid

01-20-25, 09:12 PM

Well well, Budda has a negative opinion on Trump, surprise surprise. What's your take on Biden issuing all those last second pardons for Liz Cheney and the other swamp creatures?

Love it. They were doing their job.

Gorpet

01-20-25, 09:14 PM

Pardons the whole family at the last minute. This really sets a new precedent.

Socialist Gangsters,Hiding behind the "Word Democracy" have lit the world on fire.And in the End.The world is still on fire but they so eloquently slip away. :up:

Gorpet

01-20-25, 09:37 PM

Buddahaid

01-20-25, 09:41 PM

Commander Wallace

01-20-25, 09:49 PM

Love it. They were doing their job.

If you support the Pardon's Biden just gave out, you're a bigger Moron than I gave you credit for. That staggers the Imagination. :yep:

Gorpet

01-20-25, 10:45 PM

That was the most childish and pathetic inauguration speech ever made. What a tool.

Well,from you.We could not expect less. But it's ok.There are shelters pre,positioned all across the planet.Filled with coloring books and play dough and Physiatrist.But the real truth is, and i don't know what your real lifestyle is.

But America has made its choice. And we choose Freedom, A Republic, where merit and study and hard work, Defines our individual future....Not DEI

Buddahaid

01-20-25, 11:01 PM

Let freedom ring. We'll all see just how wonderful this plays out. I hope you didn't lose your life savings investing in $TRUMP.

Gorpet

01-20-25, 11:16 PM

Let freedom ring. We'll all see just how wonderful this plays out. I hope you didn't lose your life savings investing in $TRUMP.

Damn, Most people living across this country, don't have any life savings left. Would you care to give us some insights on how you weathered the Democrat storm.?

Buddahaid

01-20-25, 11:24 PM

Witchcraft, what else.

mapuc

01-20-25, 11:34 PM

There must be something in his speech which you who support the Dems can say- this I can support.

And there must be something in his speech which you who support him can't support.

Markus

Gorpet

01-20-25, 11:43 PM

Witchcraft, what else.

Yes, Democracy is Witchcraft.

Ostfriese

01-21-25, 12:24 AM

But America has made its choice. And we choose ... and hard work

Well, of that there will be no shortage, I'm sure. It's a pity that the rewards will not go to you, though, but to the ultra rich. The vast majority of those with no savings now will be without savings in 2029 as well, joined by a sizeable number of people who still have little savings but won't have them much longer.

Skybird

01-21-25, 01:54 AM

Skybird

01-21-25, 02:05 AM

Paris climate deal: out. Check. :Kaleun_Applaud:

WHO: out. Check. :Kaleun_Applaud:

For us Non-Americans, this is of interest since the US action and support feeds back on both these organizations. I would wish Germany and the whole damn EU would follow both examples. The UN is a rotten swamp that should be dried out. Of course I know better than to expect any of this happening seriously.

I like the return to two genders only. Good, thats plain reason - and biologic fact.

He seems to leave the electric-cars-exclusively-policy. Good.

The migration acts: understandable.

The way he weakens FED services I cannot fully oversee in consequences. No comment.

But he seems to heavily occupy the justice department on behalf of his personal interest. Not good.

The pardoning of Jan. 6 attackers I find disgusting.

A mixed bag of other topics his day one executive orders adress. Some I agree with, some I dont care that much for, some I oppose.

What remains to be seen is his dealing with Ukraine.

Many of his decisions made and still to be made will effect economic topics of national and international concern. We will see what comes from that. No matter what, one will probably not be happy on both sides of America's border.

Not that I matter. But we are here to chat, right? :) So let the bloodbaths begin! :D

mapuc

01-21-25, 02:54 AM

The Danish politicians got their coffee in the wrong throat, this morning.

Denmark will probably have to comply with regards to a possible sale of Greenland.

That's what it sounds like from Donald Trump in the Oval Office when he takes the White House as the 47th president of the United States on Monday evening local time.

- Greenland is a fantastic place, and we need it to ensure international security. I am sure that Denmark will probably have to conform, says Trump.

Trump has recently floated the idea that the US should take control over Greenland.

Markus

vienna

01-21-25, 02:58 AM

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K8hTN01ih9s

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=svgl6ycmSn4

<O>

Skybird

01-21-25, 03:04 AM

And the signatures! :D Signatures like a saw blade! Scribble scratch, every point has to be sharp and every angle has to be tight so that you cut your eyes open already while reading. :) And he should use a brush, he could apply it much more broadly then.

vienna

01-21-25, 03:55 AM

The really funny part was at the end of the signing ceremony: it is the usual custom and practice for the POTUS to use specially prepared pens to sign important documents; if you looked carefully, you'd notice a box on the desk, directly next to his right hand, containing the supply of those ceremonial pens; normally, a POTUS would pick up one of those pens, sign a small portion of his signature, pass the pen to attending dignitaries as a souvenir of the occasion, pick up another pen, from the box, sign a couple of more letters of his name, pass that pen to another attendee, and continue in the same process of partially signing and passing out pens until the POTUS completes writing his signature; the pens used in a POTUS signing ceremony are highly prized since they are both something personally used and presented by a POTUS and they are a physical memento of one's presence at a historic signing; since Trump is so obviously addicted to his Sharpie felt pens (leading one to wonder if he might not be sniffing the fumes from the ink - it would explain a lot), and he used just one Sharpie, there were no commemorative pens to be handed out; after signing his EOs, Trump sat there with a silly grin on his face; he glanced down to his right, saw the box of unused ceremonialpens, picked one of them up and sheepishly tried to offer it up to the persons standing behind him; the people standing behind him seemed a bit confused and unsure what to do, particularly since the unused pens were just that, unused pens with no historic value...

Given Trump, it wouldn't have been surprising for him to have given out those novelty pens with a girlie picture whose dress disappears when you tilt the pen...

<O>

Raf1394

01-21-25, 05:40 AM

The thing that i'm kinda a bit negative about. Is the amount of power or influence the US president has for the world.

I have no problems with US voters voting for there own president.
But its kinda weird that US voters indirectly have influence on the world stage (what happens in other countries) Because they are the only legitimate voters that can give or take away power from the US president.

Buddahaid

01-21-25, 05:48 AM

I expect he’ll try to sell the pens as more grifting.

Commander Wallace

01-21-25, 05:58 AM

I expect he’ll try to sell the pens as more grifting.

Just for you, Budda.

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. oS3KxkaOOGW0S1tDJbvcxgHaHb%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=b52c4c7c84d201ff9e44a8faa4dfa1c3d747b74383c3be da92b715d0d6159a22&ipo=images (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81H94DAE54L._SL1500_.jpg)

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81H94DAE54L._SL1500_.jpg)

Shadowblade

01-21-25, 06:37 AM

https://d12t4t5x3vyizu.cloudfront.net/cloud.house.gov/uploads/2024/06/GPMcitiXgAAixcl.jpg.jpeg

"yeah, except of my family, my friends, subordinates, etc"

Raf1394

01-21-25, 06:48 AM

You can also say the same thing about Trump pardoning those attackers who participated in the Capitol attack.

it doesn't matter if you are pro Biden or pro Trump, Republican or Democrat...
Assaulting and damaging government owned property and trespassing is against the rules. No matter what your political side is.

But how far can a president go, to pardon someone who committed a crime?
Are there limits? I can't imagine a president pardoning a mass murderer.

Jimbuna

01-21-25, 06:49 AM

https://i.postimg.cc/65QFJwYc/IMG-4785.jpg (https://postimg.cc/23P0nppL)

u crank

01-21-25, 07:01 AM

Given Trump, it wouldn't have been surprising for him to have given out those novelty pens with a girlie picture whose dress disappears when you tilt the pen...

I wonder what kind of pen Joe used to pardon five family members? Of course this begs the obvious question, what the hell were these people up to that they need a pardon? Sleazy behavior for an obviously corrupt president. What a legacy.

Otto Harkaman

01-21-25, 09:28 AM

"A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right." Thomas Paine

https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/619381eb90f8e2477b062a14a52b58d8aba6411a/0_0_5689_3414/master/5689.jpg?width=1900&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none
Imane Khelif - A gold-medal Olympic boxer who failed gender testing

Buddahaid

01-21-25, 10:56 AM

Day one and I’m waiting for the miracle of rainbows and unicorns with the economy and world peace to happen.

Buddahaid

01-21-25, 11:32 AM

We better start teaching our children the new salute when they pledge allegiance to Trump in school.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JaGUlpLUeAA

Ostfriese

01-21-25, 11:49 AM

Imane Khelif - A gold-medal Olympic boxer who failed gender testing

Yeah, that's been claimed by the IBA, but to this date the IBA has not been able to explain what test had been done and what the precise results had been. Instead they made several statements contradicting each other, with the IOC calling the entire afair "so flawed that it's impossible to engage with it."

But who cares about facts when they don't fit the agenda? Why care about facts when it's so much easier to post and repeat lies?

u crank

01-21-25, 12:07 PM

We better start teaching our children the new salute when they pledge allegiance to Trump in school.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JaGUlpLUeAA

Good grief. If you watch the video you can clearly hear Musk say ""I just want to say thank you for making it happen, thank you. My heart goes out to you." He puts his hand on his heart and gestures similar to throwing a kiss. It is going to be a long four years for the TDS triggered crowd.

Aktungbby

01-21-25, 12:23 PM

Day one and I’m waiting for the miracle of rainbows and unicorns with the economy and world peace to happen.

https://media.tenor.com/9HvK7wZO-pUAAAAM/animate-me-app-add-your-face-to-a-gif.gif:O:

Buddahaid

01-21-25, 12:32 PM

Good grief. If you watch the video you can clearly hear Musk say ""I just want to say thank you for making it happen, thank you. My heart goes out to you." He puts his hand on his heart and gestures similar to throwing a kiss. It is going to be a long four years for the TDS triggered crowd.

Yep. I think musk is stupid, but I don't think he's so stupid he doesn't know the visual impact of the gesture. I think he knew exactly what it looked like.

Jimbuna

01-21-25, 12:55 PM

I guess my post went unheeded

https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2940996&postcount=11058

Can we have an end to the insults please.

u crank

01-21-25, 12:59 PM

Yep. I think musk is stupid, but I don't think he's so stupid he doesn't know the visual impact of the gesture. I think he knew exactly what it looked like.

Well if you think he is a Nazi do you have any proof other than this piece of nonsense? Make your case.

Buddahaid

01-21-25, 01:32 PM

Well if you think he is a Nazi do you have any proof other than this piece of nonsense? Make your case.

I have my opinion, and it doesn't have to meet your criteria.

u crank

01-21-25, 02:00 PM

I have my opinion, and it doesn't have to meet your criteria.

No it doesn't. But I was not asking for anything other than an explanation. Don't want to give one, fine. I'll get by without one.

mapuc

01-21-25, 02:22 PM

Just an input to the title of this thread.

Shouldn't it not be changed to US Politics Thread 2025-28 ?

Markus

Buddahaid

01-21-25, 03:42 PM

Just an input to the title of this thread.

Shouldn't it not be changed to US Politics Thread 2025-28 ?

Markus

Why? Trump was still whining about the 2020 election results in his speech and how badly the snowflake was treated.

Catfish

01-21-25, 03:53 PM

From his behaviour and speech he is out for personal revenge. But this may be fake.
I think he will astonish all, in all aspects :)

Skybird

01-21-25, 04:11 PM

Wait 'til you hear him complaining about that they want to steal the next election from him too! :D

mapuc

01-21-25, 04:15 PM

Wait 'til you hear him complaining about that they want to steal the next election from him too! :D

Which would be a problem, since an American can only sit for 2 terms in total. He could complain about they toke the next election from the Rep.

Markus

u crank

01-21-25, 04:25 PM

From his behaviour and speech he is out for personal revenge. But this may be fake.
I think he will astonish all, in all aspects :)

Kinda funny I think. Trump has been in politics going on ten years and yet people are still shocked when he says something stupid. I decided a while back not to pay attention to what he says (because it never changes) but rather to what he does. Hell it is only day two.:haha::haha::haha:

Catfish

01-21-25, 04:46 PM

So you think Russia will NOT stop its war tonight because of Trump.

Buddahaid

01-21-25, 05:36 PM

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/10/Carnac_the_Magnificent.jpg

u crank

01-21-25, 05:58 PM

So you think Russia will NOT stop its war tonight because of Trump.

It is highly unlikely.:D But that's just me. It's a perfect example of why I don't try to explain it. It is Trump talk. He seems to do it a lot don't you think. Almost an intentional distraction.

Buddahaid

01-21-25, 06:15 PM

It is highly unlikely.:D But that's just me. It's a perfect example of why I don't try to explain it. It is Trump talk. He seems to do it a lot don't you think. Almost an intentional distraction.

But that one was a campaign promise because he's like a genius or something.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9By4kJHoj7g

u crank

01-21-25, 06:26 PM

But that one was a campaign promise because he's like a genius or something.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9By4kJHoj7g

Which part were you fooled by, him being a genius or the promise. I think he got you both times. I think he is pretty good at this game.

Jeff-Groves

01-21-25, 06:33 PM

Just an input to the title of this thread.

Shouldn't it not be changed to US Politics Thread 2025-28 ?

Markus
Nah. It should be "Who looks like an idiot in posts 2025-2028"

Buddahaid

01-21-25, 06:40 PM

Which part were you fooled by, him being a genius or the promise. I think he got you both times. I think he is pretty good at this game.

Nope. I expect every time his mouth moves it's BS.

u crank

01-21-25, 06:49 PM

Nope. I expect every time his mouth moves it's BS.

So you are not fooled. Oh I see, you are just playing along. It is cheap entertainment I'll grant you that. I have occasionally been entertained myself. I bore easily though so there is that down side.

Buddahaid

01-21-25, 07:54 PM

So you are not fooled. Oh I see, you are just playing along. It is cheap entertainment I'll grant you that. I have occasionally been entertained myself. I bore easily though so there is that down side.

I do tend to believe him when he makes threats, after all, he is a petty vindictive man with a very fragile ego.

u crank

01-21-25, 08:08 PM

I do tend to believe him when he makes threats, after all, he is a petty vindictive man with a very fragile ego.

Maybe but I think the guy he is replacing has some pretty repulsive characteristics as well. And he was senile while President of your country. I find that fascinating. Don't you?

August

01-21-25, 10:31 PM

Love it. They were doing their job.

Yeah right. If they were just doing their job then when why do they need pardons? You only need one of those if you have broken the law.

August

01-21-25, 10:33 PM

I'm surprised you made it back from the Inauguration. I thought you would be a block of ice right now. :yep: Were you in the Capital One Arena ? Did you get your Trump Token / Medallion ?

I saw a bit of the Inauguration on the Fox Network, here and there.

We tried but all those Trump supporters that Buddha doesn't think really exist were lined up for blocks around the place, so we found a nearby pub to get warm and toast Brandons departure. All in all it was a great time. We're already making plans to return in 2029 when JD Vance gets inaugurated.

Buddahaid

01-21-25, 11:11 PM

Yeah right. If they were just doing their job then when why do they need pardons? You only need one of those if you have broken the law.

So, what law(s) were broken?

August

01-21-25, 11:13 PM

So, what law(s) were broken?

Apparently ones that require a preemptive pardon.

Buddahaid

01-22-25, 12:29 AM

Apparently ones that require a preemptive pardon.

So, you don't know either.

EDIT: I imagine it's likely a relief to the House not needing to get sidetracked on more boondoggles of investigations. They can now devote their full attention to trying to create a budget for the first time in three years.

Aktungbby

01-22-25, 01:43 AM

We're already making plans to return in 2029 when JD Vance gets inaugurated.:hmmm:...with Xi, Putin, KimJungUn and now the "fourth horseman of the apocalypse", the Donald, restored to power, I fear the Hillbilly's Elegy will have been written before 2029!:oops::dead:

ET2SN

01-22-25, 03:28 AM

Apparently ones that require a preemptive pardon.

There's right, there's wrong, and then there's PAYBACK.
This is all you need to know. :up:

I did my best to warn folks about why we shouldn't play with fire- again.
No one cared because....the price of eggs. :doh:

So, you OWN this parade. :yep: I'm just going to smile in my bunker and collect MRE's. Y'all are on your own. :O:

u crank

01-22-25, 06:08 AM

The Final Corruption of Joe Biden

https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/5096041-biden-pardons-family-corruption/

The pardoning of James Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John Owens and Francis Biden brought an inescapable clarity to the corruption of what is known in Washington as Biden Inc.

Biden sealed his legacy with a finality that escapes most presidents. While his diminished mental capacity will remain an issue for historians, his longstanding lack of ethics was conclusively established with these pardons. It was Biden’s final act of corruption.

Skybird

01-22-25, 07:16 AM

I have to admit, somehow I'm almost a little impressed by how determined Trump is to follow up his words with action and make short work of things. I may not agree with all the decisions - it's about the determined attitude, the tough approach. When I compare this mercilessly direct approach with the endlessly pathetic whininess of German and European politicians, their flaunted hypermorality and super-hyper-mega-sensitivity towards everyone and everything, who censor their own phrasing and make so many exceptions to their morally super ambitious rules that in the end no one gets anything baked and therefore no one has to stand up for anything, then I find Trump's frontal cavalry attack almost refreshing. :)

And when someone like me says that, whose previous hostile attitude towards Trump during his first term of office should be well known: then that can mean something, namely how annoying and entrenched the madness is here in Europe and Germany and how much many of us long for an end to all this disgusting posturing and fuss, even if it comes at the price of a Trump. You should see the parties and candidates here in Germany - you can only feel sorry for a country that has nothing better than these - these self-dwarfened "halflings". A deeply sad, pitiful sight, all of them!

Everything now seems better than the crap that is being done here in Germany. Maybe we can borrow Trump for a change...? Just to smash up a bit of Red and Green and woke and gender and hypermorality and Nazi guilt and EU bondage and reduce them to rubble and shatter them to pieces...? I can't stand all this $h!+ anymore. It makes my head plop open.

A number of his executive orders will probably not stand up in court, they say. Never mind, until then he's shaking things up. Let it rip, babe! :D Rumble in the jungle! A welcomed destructive effect, which I also attribute to the AdF, with which I really have no connection at all. Just that the AfD has neither any experts for anything, nor any intellectually bright people. They are blockheads at best. I see them as nothing more than a wrecking ball, and a wrecking ball does not need brains, only momentum. - So, I don't suddenly have any illusions about Trump's effectiveness, I haven't suddenly gone crazy or become a convinced Trump fan, nobody should believe that. Some of his social demands are very worrying and dangerous, I think. But for the purpose of entertainemnt and of typing this in, I'm more about the shockwaves as as such that he triggers.

Watch out, I'll end up liking the guy... :haha:

August

01-22-25, 08:46 AM

So, you don't know either.

Of course not. But there must be something there if Biden had to issue preemptive pardons to prevent prosecution.

mapuc

01-22-25, 08:57 AM

Of course not. But there must be something there if Biden had to issue preemptive pardons to prevent prosecution.

I thought a person could only be pardoned after a verdict and not before.

Markus

August

01-22-25, 10:40 AM

I thought a person could only be pardoned after a verdict and not before.

Markus

I thought that too Markus but apparently not.

Buddahaid

01-22-25, 11:43 AM

Of course not. But there must be something there if Biden had to issue preemptive pardons to prevent prosecution.

It prevents Congressional fishing expeditions looking for a crime. We don't like them so there must be a crime involved thinking.

mapuc

01-22-25, 11:49 AM

It prevents Congressional fishing expeditions looking for a crime. We don't like them so there must be a crime involved thinking.

Even I who is a none-American and thereby neutral ask myself why did he pardoned part of his family when they haven't been accused* or got a verdict ?

* If I remember correctly His son Hunter Biden was accused.

Markus

August

01-22-25, 11:54 AM

It prevents Congressional fishing expeditions looking for a crime. We don't like them so there must be a crime involved thinking.

Well either there is a crime to be found or there isn't and a pardon does not prevent Congress from investigating anyways.

The good news is that it wipes out 5th amendment concerns and these criminals can be compelled to testify. If they get caught lying then perjury charges can still be brought against them.

Buddahaid

01-22-25, 12:32 PM

Even I who is a none-American and thereby neutral ask myself why did he pardoned part of his family when they haven't been accused* or got a verdict ?

* If I remember correctly His son Hunter Biden was accused.

Markus

Yes, he was investigated by the House for years and they came up with nothing. The difference is they had a suspect but no crime and were looking for a crime, while the Jan 6th investigation had a crime and were looking for the person, or persons involved.

EDIT: Hunter was pardoned for his tax evasion conviction in California. He had payed back all the taxes he owed by then but was used as a political theater football instead of given amnesty like a normal citizen would have been.

August

01-22-25, 03:14 PM

Sorry, Biden's Pardons Are Much Worse Than Trump's | Opinion Published Jan 22, 2025 at 7:50 AM EST

Many Democrats (https://www.newsweek.com/topic/democrats) and media outlets have criticized Trump's mass clemency for the January 6 defendants, even as they casually ignored President Biden's. But let's put aside the hypocrisy for a moment to examine the real differences between the two sets of pardons, regardless of one's views of their merits.
First, Biden granted pardons and commutations to more than 8,000 individuals, which is more than any other modern president. Thousands of Biden's clemency grants were to serious criminals, including murderers, child killers, child abusers, and the biggest municipal embezzler in history, Rita Crundwell (https://abc7.com/post/how-city-worker-stole-53-million-22-year-deception/15767057/). Several of the grants benefitted well-connected Democrats. In both 2022 and 2024, Biden abused his pardon power to achieve mass sentencing reductions that Congress (https://www.newsweek.com/topic/congress) refused to pass by law. President Obama did the same thing when he issued mass commutations of drug sentences.
Second, it's obviously not principle but politics that drove Biden's pardons; Biden's post-election mass death row commutations did not follow his self-proclaimed opposition to the death penalty. He left three men on death row whose commutations would have politically harmed Democrats. He did not commute the sentences of Dzhokar Tsarnaev (Boston Marathon bomber), Dylann Roof (murderer of nine black churchgoers in Charleston), and Robert Bowers (murderer of 11 worshippers a synagogue in Squirrel Hill, PA). Biden's alleged opposition to the death penalty also did not prevent DOJ from filing capital murder charges against Luigi Mangione (https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/luigi-mangione-charged-stalking-and-murder-unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-and-use).
Third, President Biden needs to pardon his family, officials, and allies only because he fears the very lawfare that he invented. Biden's DOJ broke more than two centuries of history to prosecute a former president and the candidate of the major opposition political party. He is like an arsonist who demands more spending on fire departments. Because of his stated fear of retaliation, Biden pardoned his family and associates before prosecutors ever launched investigations. These pardons were to Biden's own benefit, as their reciipients are much less likely to disclose any information that directly implicate President Biden to the family's alleged "pay to play, 10 percent for the Big Guy" schemes.
Contrast that with Trump's clemency, which did not directly benefit him or his family, and covered defendants who were actually convicted or charged, unlike Biden's preemptive pardons that covered up to 10 years' worth of potential and actual criminal activity for his family and allies.
n Trump's case, almost all of the defendants had undergone arrest, trial, conviction, and punishment. If Trump had followed Biden's example, as all future presidents may, he would have issued blanket pardons for all of the January 6 defendants on January 7, 2021. But he did not, and instead allowed the criminal justice system to proceed first, measured the results, and then decided whether pardons were warranted.
Crucially, President Trump also went to the public for approval before he issued the pardons. Biden told the American people he would not pardon his son, Hunter, and then issued his grants after the voters had rejected the incumbent party. Trump, by contrast, repeatedly stated on the campaign trail his belief that the J6 defendants, particularly the non-violent ones, were treated much worse than regular suspects, suffering from long solitary confinement and unusually heavy jail sentences. Trump could have used Biden's own words to justify granting clemency to the J6 defendants, because they "do not deserve to be the targets of unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions."
Trump also has solid legal precedent to grant clemency to those many defendants whom the Biden/Garland DOJ charged with "obstruction or impediment of an official proceeding." In June 2024, the Supreme Court (https://www.newsweek.com/topic/supreme-court) in Fischer v. U.S. (https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-5572_l6hn.pdf) rejected the DOJ's misusing Sarbanes-Oxley (https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1512) and that charge, which built upon the Court's precedents in cases like McDonnell (https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/579/15-474/)and Yates (https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/574/528/). The J6 clemency extended the Supreme Court's reading to those who had been convicted beforehand.
It's not accident that President Biden waited until after the election to issue his most controversial pardons. Indeed, he waited until the last 15 minutes before the inauguration. Biden hid them from the public and refused to answer any questions about them. Trump by contrast openly discussed granting clemency to the J6 defendants throughout the campaign and gave the American people a chance to decide. He granted clemency on his first day in office, not his last.
Democrats have resorted to pardons because they appear to expect lawfare to continue. DOJ released Jack Smith (https://www.newsweek.com/topic/jack-smith)'s special counsel J6 report even though Trump had won the election and DOJ could no longer pursue charges. It is even trying to release the special counsel report about the Florida classified documents case, even though Trump's co-defendants are entitled to a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Both President Trump and Attorney General–designate Pam Bondi are positioned to stop the lawfare, but only if the Democrats abjure their politicization of criminal justice. Lawfare can descend on Democrats as easily as on Republicans (https://www.newsweek.com/topic/republicans).

https://www.newsweek.com/sorry-bidens-pardons-are-much-worse-trumps-opinion-2018843

August

01-22-25, 03:20 PM

We better start teaching our children the new salute when they pledge allegiance to Trump in school.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JaGUlpLUeAA

Looks like your side has been practicing it for a long time.

https://i.imgur.com/pCL9wP4.jpg

Raf1394

01-22-25, 03:26 PM

Just interesting to see, what happens the next few weeks.

Skybird

01-22-25, 03:36 PM

By pardoning those 1600, Trump in principle pardoned himself. :03:
-----------
Its almost biozarr to imply that Musk wanted to give the (neo-)fascist greeting. Also, this claim formally cannot be supported. The facist greeting has the person staring ahead and raising the arm, but Musk swung his hand from the hip and upwards, following it with his eyes, as if he collected something from the belt or pocket, and then threw it out in distribution. Thats an old triumphant gesture of victorious Romans on sort of parades or any public events where they - well, celebrated any sort of triumph or achievment. Sometimes indeed bread, flowers or sesterzen coins were thrown into the masses this way. Musk then turned in place, and repeated the same to the crowd behind him.

In Germany, candies for the kids are being thrown from rolling waggons on parade during "Karneval" pretty much the same way like Musk demonstrated, and the same can be seen in many other countries on many different opportunities. Is carneval now a Nazi festivity?

Also, Musk said 2021 that he suffers form Asperger. And Asperger people sometimes can find social interaction difficult to master, which sometimes makes them socially interacting ina clumsy or "helpless" way. Social competence and Asperger are no natural friends, but maintain a difficult relation.

Commander Wallace

01-23-25, 12:53 AM

Looks like your side has been practicing it for a long time.

https://i.imgur.com/pCL9wP4.jpg

Priceless. :up:

Greg Gutfeld and the Fox Network have been pointing out these these ambiguities as well.

With regards to the Trump Pardon's, President Trump was transparent that he would Pardon those involved in the Jan. 6 incident. Biden on the other hand lied that he wouldn't pardon his son or Family..

vienna

01-23-25, 02:48 AM

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iTzdi-Lo1fU

<O>

Skybird

01-23-25, 06:50 AM

(Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung] Is Musk not moving into the White House after all? For a long time it was unclear what Donald Trump planned to do with Elon Musk's position for government efficiency. A decree now provides initial answers. Does Musk like them?

The "United States Digital Service" is located in a small brick building in Lafayette Park in Washington, a stone's throw from the White House. The staff unit, which was created by Barack Obama in 2014 to modernize electronic data processing in the federal administration, was part of the "Office of Management and Budget" (OMB) in the President's Office, which controls the implementation of the federal budget. President Donald Trump has now renamed the staff unit by decree. The abbreviation remains the same: USDS. But it now stands for "United States DOGE Service".

The decree thus created the agency whose establishment Trump had announced under the name "Department of Government Efficiency" after his election victory in November. He announced at the time that his major donor and campaign aide Elon Musk would lead DOGE together with short-term Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to reduce bureaucracy, restructure agencies, drastically reduce regulations and cut wasteful government spending.

The decree, however, assigns DOGE a more modest task. Now it is said that the task of the staff unit is to modernize the technology and software of federal agencies in order to maximize efficiency. It will also be integrated into the government. Initially it was said that, despite the name Department, which in America stands for ministry, it would be an external advisory commission.

When Trump signed the order, he confirmed that Musk would have an office in the White House, but apparently not in the West Wing. It is important to know that the White House stands for the entire "Executive Office", which is not limited to the official residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but is spread across several neighboring buildings. It is therefore quite possible that Musk will move into an office in the brick building at Lafayette Park - and not in the center of power.

Ramaswamy has meanwhile already left DOGE. He is expected to announce his candidacy for governor of Ohio next week. The fact that his upcoming election campaign is no longer compatible with an agency head is, however, only superficially decisive. It is said that substantive differences with Musk and with Trump's entourage prompted him to take the step.

Both the reduction in the tasks of the new agency and its integration into the government, where the "administrator" will report to the White House Chief of Staff, suggest that Susie Wiles is behind the regulation. She is Trump's Chief of Staff. As such, she not only heads the government's control center. Above all, she is responsible for avoiding chaos. Even in the period between election day and the inauguration, Musk's proximity to Trump had been a thorn in the side of his transition team. The decree now reads as if budget and government policy would remain in the hands of the OMB in the presidential office.

Wiles sees herself as a gatekeeper to the Oval Office. The idea of having the hyperactive Musk next to her in the West Wing would probably have been a horror for her. That does not mean that Trump has given up his intention to dismantle the administrative state. OMB Director Russel Vought is also pursuing the agenda. And he has government experience: he held the post during Trump's first term.

According to the decree, the DOGE authority will be led by an "administrator". No name is mentioned. Will it be Musk? Or will the tech billionaire act freely and leave the post to one of the two people who took care of the preparations during the transition period? Those were Musk's confidant Steve Davis and Brad Smith, who worked for the government during Trump's first term.

In any case, the staff unit is also intended to influence other parts of the government: All authorities will be assigned four DOGE employees to coordinate the modernization work. DOGE is, by the way, an authority with an expiration date. The decree stipulates that the task will end on July 4, 2026. It is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence.
-------------------

It is an established pattern in Trump's biography that he first raises new heroes that he has chosen to an ultra-high, the highest of all pedestals - and if they later show even the slightest signs of something that he perceives as weakness, error or lack of unconditional loyalty, he immediately and mercilessly plunges them even deeper into the abyss, rushes after them with a sledgehammer in his hand and beats the rubble even further, and condemns the mere memory of the fallen angel in the most obscene way. From a professional psychologist's point of view - a very interesting case. :)

I would consider it extremely dangerous to be close to someone like Trump or to trust his declarations of love. That can change dramatically from one hour to the next. I wonder if Elon Musk, who is rather clumsy in social behavior, has understood that...?

Jeff-Groves

01-23-25, 12:45 PM

Ramaswamy has meanwhile already left DOGE. He is expected to announce his candidacy for governor of Ohio next week.
He'd make a better Governer for Ohio then the last few Clowns.

Buddahaid

01-23-25, 11:43 PM

The theme for this presidency.
https://youtu.be/-XCTI935ahQ?si=j_qJS48fTOAJqOQp

Otto Harkaman

01-24-25, 01:31 AM

^ be careful showing all your good stuff too soon, you've got to make it through four years :shucks:
https://youtu.be/yjrzGc9HSYc?si=OJd4f5L9Vzk_VSmf

Shadowblade

01-24-25, 03:03 AM

:p2:
https://i.ibb.co/dryN93G/melania-Clint-Eastwood.jpg

Ostfriese

01-24-25, 04:17 AM

https://s2-oglobo.glbimg.com/uOCdcXZ1DfQpbYEg7lKlVMIzy2w=/0x0:2000x1194/888x0/smart/filters:strip_icc()/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2025/s/a/AXFeMnSCmpgR35g9HEng/arte-1-.png
https://www.ilgiornaleditalia.it/resizer/630/-1/false/2025_01_21/Melania_4-1737474129251.jpg--.jpg?1737474129270

Skybird

01-24-25, 06:17 AM

Wait 'til you hear him complaining about that they want to steal the next election from him too! :D

And so it begins:

[BBC] Amendment to allow third Trump term proposed by Republican

A congressman has proposed an amendment which would allow Donald Trump to serve a third term as US president.Andy Ogles, a Republican from Tennessee, has introduced a joint resolution to alter the 22nd Amendment, which currently prohibits anyone from serving more than two terms as president.
His new wording would allow a president to serve three terms, as long as only two of them are consecutive. It’s a proposal squarely intended for Trump, which Ogles makes clear in a statement.
"This amendment would allow President Trump to serve three terms, ensuring that we can sustain the bold leadership our nation so desperately needs," he says.
But amending the Constitution is extremely difficult, requiring the support of two-thirds of the House and Senate. Even the backing of every Republican in congress - which is far from guaranteed - would not be enough.
--------------
The sobering thing is he means that serious.
Trump is 78, btw.

Jimbuna

01-24-25, 08:14 AM

I doubt many if any will be shocked.

vienna

01-25-25, 02:48 PM

Interesting thought: since Trump had his SCOTUS buddies engineer a declaration that a POTUS is essentially immune from prosecution for any act falling under the purview of 'Presidential duties and responsibilities', Biden's pardons and any other acts the MAGA/GOP is fusing, fuming, and bitching about is a moot point because, after all, he was just performing a Presidential duty... :03: :D

..how's that petard hoisting y'all there, MAGAs...?...

<O>

Buddahaid

01-25-25, 03:30 PM

That and the fact Donald’s father was an anchor baby.

August

01-25-25, 03:43 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEdYFskJiOI

Skybird

01-25-25, 06:42 PM

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yveml59jlo

Suspicous. Sounds as if somebody wants to evade being counterchecked.

Congress created inspectors general in the wake of the Watergate scandal, as part of a wave of reforms intended to curb corruption, waste and fraud. The independent watchdogs - who work within federal agencies but are not controlled by the head of those agencies - are meant to serve as a guard against mismanagement and abuse of power.
Not less worrying is that Trump ordered security clearances being given to people who had not undergone the needed security check procedures. It opens sensitive stuff and material and information to people whom you maybe do not really want to have as guests in your house. Except they are your accomplices, of course.

Buddahaid

01-25-25, 07:36 PM

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yveml59jlo

Suspicous. Sounds as if somebody wants to evade being counterchecked.

Not less worrying is that Trump ordered security clearances being given to people who had not undergone the needed security check procedures. It opens sensitive stuff and material and information to people whom you maybe do not really want to have as guests in your house. Except they are your accomplices, of course.

And the SCOTUS gave him immunity.

vienna

01-25-25, 07:36 PM

Hardly surprising; Trump initially tried to forbid his appointees from undergoing the usual background checks and other vetting all previous Presidential appointees (Cabinet members, department heads, etc.) in all previous administrations have undergone, by law, conducted by the FBI and whatever other investigative agencies, to ascertain any deficiencies, conflicts, closet skeletons, legal entanglements, etc., any of the appointees might have; Trump also resisted the further requirement that all such appointees sign a pledge to abide by the ethics codes of their offices; so, not only does Trump not want any IGs digging into the conduct of his lackeys, he also doesn't seem to want them to be bound by any of the standards and responsibilities laid out in the law...

Some people have pointed out that Trump declined to place his hand on the Bible at his last swearing in ceremony and speculated he might have been thinking about a possible defense if he's impeached again: "look, no matter what I did, it really doesn't matter because I didn't swear with my hand on the Bible, so I didn't break the oath because, well, n hand, no crime, so I should not be held responsible because it wasn't valid, and besides, I had my fingers crossed; oh, and I really did win the 2020 Election and my crowds are always the biggest..."...

<O>

Buddahaid

01-25-25, 11:12 PM

Reminds me of the tech bros and Trump.
https://youtu.be/aGMvvyGrWVU?si=oRKYRVpGOqTEXUOP

mapuc

01-25-25, 11:49 PM

Seems to me that some people are more eager to concentrate on the person himself, instead of his policy he's going to use.

Markus

August

01-26-25, 12:57 AM

Seems to me that some people are more eager to concentrate on the person himself, instead of his policy he's going to use.

Markus

That's because personal attacks are all they have, all the ever had and all they ever will have. All their efforts to smear the greatest president of the 21st century have come to naught and their tears are simply delicious.

The way it's looking now it will be 12 years or more before a Democrat sits behind the resolute desk again. :)

Ostfriese

01-26-25, 01:54 AM

That's because personal attacks are all they have, all the ever had and all they ever will have.

A surprisingly fitting description of Trump. Chapeau.

u crank

01-26-25, 06:16 AM

And the SCOTUS gave him immunity.

You realize that Joe Biden gets the same immunity don’t you. Looks like he might need it.

Buddahaid

01-26-25, 08:16 AM

That's because personal attacks are all they have, all the ever had and all they ever will have. All their efforts to smear the greatest president of the 21st century have come to naught and their tears are simply delicious.

The way it's looking now it will be 12 years or more before a Democrat sits behind the resolute desk again. :)

What does that have to do with the price of eggs?

ET2SN

01-26-25, 10:25 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhKMVlHz9FQ

:D

Reece

01-26-25, 06:07 PM

What does that have to do with the price of eggs?
Well the price of eggs here in Australia are quite low but fears it will soon rise by up to 300%. :o:03:

Buddahaid

01-26-25, 09:46 PM

This woman has more balls than Trump ever had.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/crime/general/ex-maga-granny-is-turning-down-trump-s-pardon-of-her-jan-6-conviction/ar-AA1xGi3x?ocid=BingNewsSerp

Skybird

01-26-25, 10:19 PM

https://youtube.com/shorts/0UgFVkVFqUc?si=OwBc33-5DXqPLbiA

Carl Sagan, so long ago, so true.

August

01-27-25, 12:11 AM

What does that have to do with the price of eggs?

We all know what happens to the price of eggs when the democrats are in charge. MEAA. Make Eggs Affordable Again!

u crank

01-27-25, 04:24 AM

On this week's broadcast of 'Real Time' with host Bill Maher on HBO, sports journalist Stephen A. Smith explained why President Donald Trump won the 2024 election.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/01/25/stephen_a_smith_the_american_people_decided_trump_ is_closer_to_normal_than_what_we_see_on_the_left.h tml

"The man was impeached twice. He was convicted on 34 felony counts. And the American people still said, "he's closer to normal than what we see on the left."

Commander Wallace

01-27-25, 05:07 AM

A British National who was voluntarily deported from the U,S has been charged with six counts of illegal voting, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Quote: James Ross Wightman, 65, was jailed on Friday and charged with six counts of illegal voting, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Authorities say Wightman was voluntarily deported from the United States in September 1989 after overstaying his visitor visa and being arrested for a drug offense in Hawaii, avoiding formal deportation proceedings.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/non-citizen-miami-beach-charged-171611653.html

I guess this follows the Illegals moto : Make sure you vote and vote often. :doh:

Ostfriese

01-27-25, 07:42 AM

Yeah, six votes!
At the same time people remain mysteriously quiet about the unneccessarily ccomplex voting rules in many states tht effectively denied hundreds of thousands of voters their right to vote - with blacks being up to nine times more likely to have their vote suppressed.

https://www.gregpalast.com/trump-lost-vote-suppression-won/

Commander Wallace

01-27-25, 10:02 AM

Ostfriese

01-27-25, 10:30 AM

Where did you hear that ?

I gave you a link, which you even quoted.

Commander Wallace

01-27-25, 10:43 AM

I gave you a link, which you even quoted.

I never quoted the link you posted. Here was my link.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/non-citiz...171611653.html (https://www.yahoo.com/news/non-citizen-miami-beach-charged-171611653.html)

The link you posted is this.

https://www.gregpalast.com/trump-los...ppression-won/ (https://www.gregpalast.com/trump-lost-vote-suppression-won/)

Aktungbby

01-27-25, 10:53 AM

Ostfriese

01-27-25, 12:12 PM

I never quoted the link you posted. Here was my link.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/non-citiz...171611653.html (https://www.yahoo.com/news/non-citizen-miami-beach-charged-171611653.html)

The link you posted is this.

https://www.gregpalast.com/trump-los...ppression-won/ (https://www.gregpalast.com/trump-lost-vote-suppression-won/)

There seems to be a miscommunication here. I interpreted your "where did you hear that" as "where's your source for that" - and that's the article in my link.

I hope I could clarify that.

August

01-27-25, 12:30 PM

...now that Putin's agent in the White House has fired(purged) all the inspector genersls from 12 Federal agencies and declared Amerika to be "respected again" after threatening Columbia into backing down on deportation flights with 50% tarif-sanctions; we can all relax again??! The indigeous native Navaho tribal members being rounded up in immigration sweeps, mostly in Arizona, can damn well fend for themselves.:yeah::timeout::oops:

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Police departments in northern Arizona are dispelling reports of immigration officials allegedly deporting residents in local communities.

The Navajo County Sheriff's Office announced Friday that claims made on social media about Immigration and Customs Enforcement detaining local citizens were "false" and a "hoax.
"Unknown people are initiating fear among our citizens. There is no need to fear or panic," the sheriff's office wrote in a statement.
https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/sheriff-claims-of-ice-arrests-in-northern-arizona-are-false-katie-hobbs-flagstaff/75-db1d2f85-1a0d-4819-b69e-6d85203b7176

So how much is Putin paying you to spread false claims AK?

Buddahaid

01-27-25, 12:48 PM

mapuc

01-27-25, 03:40 PM

If only there was some organization of allies for mutual protection against the Communists and Russians, uh wait, it's called NATO. :shucks::O:

https://thehill.com/policy/international/5105602-donald-trump-greenland-denmark/

Since the Danish government do not have a backbone or weak I predict three outcome of the Greenland-crisis.

1. Denmark accept the terms and the money and sell Greenland to USA.
2. Denmark refuse and say it's up to the people in Greenland to decide and USA put a tariff on Danish gods.
3. Denmark refuse to sell the island and Trump give the order to operation N.N and invade Greenland.

Unlikely outcome
4. Trump give in after pressure at home and let Denmark keep Greenland who have some kind of independent today.

Markus

Jeff-Groves

01-27-25, 05:13 PM

2. Denmark refuse and say it's up to the people in Greenland to decide and USA put a tariff on Danish gods.

Yeah put a tariff on Danish Gods.
:har:

mapuc

01-27-25, 05:37 PM

Yeah put a tariff on Danish Gods.
:har:

:har: Must have been thinking in Danish when I wrote it. the word should have been goods

Markus

Skybird

01-27-25, 07:28 PM

:D

https://youtube.com/shorts/um0mkCB02CM?si=b84zBJTuNuxLbuJs

August

01-27-25, 08:27 PM

Yeah put a tariff on Danish Gods.
:har:

When you think about it Valhalla must be pretty expensive to operate. :hmmm:

Raf1394

01-27-25, 09:50 PM

Any news about Panama or Greenland haha

Aktungbby

01-27-25, 10:14 PM

Yeah put a tariff on Danish Gods.
:har:Thor, Freya and Loki!??:arrgh!:

Aktungbby

01-28-25, 12:02 AM

So how much is Putin paying you to spread false claims AK?...more than he's paying Stormy's boytoy!:smug:

Commander Wallace

01-28-25, 04:15 AM

There seems to be a miscommunication here. I interpreted your "where did you hear that" as "where's your source for that" - and that's the article in my link.

I hope I could clarify that.

You certainly did clarify that. :yep: Usually, when we interact with someone from another part of the world, things can get lost in translation. That's always my first thought when we have misunderstandings. I think in this case, the misunderstanding was mine. My apologies for any confusion.

I think the source you listed may well be a liberal or Democratic or leftist source. It's hard to know who is who until you read the content of their material and understand the authors have an agenda.

In this case, the Liberals and or Democrats here don't want President Trump to succeed and will try to sabotage him with every means at their collective disposal and with every chance they have. Like most American's with common sense, I view Trump's success as the success of all Americans, Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians and whomever. I think all of us in the U.S should want that for their fellow Americans and countrymen. I think American's hope that success spills over to the U.K, Germany and other Countries that have been the backbone of NATO.

Thanks for the clarification. :up:

Exocet25fr

01-28-25, 06:34 AM

:har::haha:

https://metro.co.uk/2025/01/26/elon-musk-targets-english-channel-renaming-gulf-mexico-22436255/

Commander Wallace

01-28-25, 06:46 AM

:har::haha:

https://metro.co.uk/2025/01/26/elon-musk-targets-english-channel-renaming-gulf-mexico-22436255/

This is just to get people talking. Nothing more. :haha:

Commander Wallace

01-28-25, 06:48 AM

:har::haha:

https://metro.co.uk/2025/01/26/elon-musk-targets-english-channel-renaming-gulf-mexico-22436255/

^ This from a citizen from a Country whose only claim to fame is laying down like cowards in front of whatever Country Invaded it. :yep: :yep:

Just laughs.

Buddahaid

01-28-25, 05:20 PM

So now that Trump is ruining the economy MAGA is claiming it’s patriotic to pay higher prices. What a pile of hypocrisy.

Catfish

01-28-25, 05:45 PM

You have to bring sacrifices to make America great again. Sacrifices to the millionaires, and mind benders, and spin doctors.
I see my best friends becoming idiots joining a cult. From my gut instinct and experience this all is a big fraud. But maybe i'm wrong. I hope I am.

Skybird

01-28-25, 07:38 PM

Brilliant.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Sn8EkqOxpvg?si=1Q7GlQnjgmw0nFHq

Gorpet

01-29-25, 12:28 AM

[QUOTE=Skybird;2941204]By pardoning those 1600, Trump in principle pardoned himself. :03:
-----------
Its almost biozarr to imply that Musk wanted to give the (neo-)fascist greeting. Also, this claim formally cannot be supported. The facist greeting has the person staring ahead and raising the arm, but Musk swung his hand from the hip and upwards, following it with his eyes, as if he collected something from the belt or pocket, and then threw it out in distribution. Thats an old triumphant gesture of victorious Romans on sort of parades or any public events where they - well, celebrated any sort of triumph or achievment. Sometimes indeed bread, flowers or sesterzen coins were thrown into the masses this way. Musk then turned in place, and repeated the same to the crowd behind him.

In Germany, candies for the kids are being thrown from rolling waggons on parade during "Karneval" pretty much the same way like Musk demonstrated, and the same can be seen in many other countries on many different opportunities.

Aktungbby

01-29-25, 02:07 AM

Are you having a mental breakdown? The Navajo tribe in the State of Arizona have their own police force. And dumb dick they own all the Gambling casinos in the State on Native American grounds. Bitch,sober up.

Both Buu Nygren, Navajo nation president, and Navajo council speaker, Crystaline Curley, have attested to CNN that 15 indigenous tribe members were detained at AZ homes and employment; and that tribal documents were not recognized as proof of US citizenship by the detaining officers. This strikes a "dumb dick unsober bitch" (your verbiage)like myself as being improper profiling by authorities; particularly as there is no legal requirement for a US citizen to carry identification to begin with.:shucks:

Gorpet

01-29-25, 02:54 AM

Since the Danish government do not have a backbone or weak I predict three outcome of the Greenland-crisis.

1. Denmark accept the terms and the money and sell Greenland to USA.
2. Denmark refuse and say it's up to the people in Greenland to decide and USA put a tariff on Danish gods.
3. Denmark refuse to sell the island and Trump give the order to operation N.N and invade Greenland.

Unlikely outcome
4. Trump give in after pressure at home and let Denmark keep Greenland who have some kind of independent today.

Markus

I say this , Denmark has been caught in some hanky panky. And the Donald is giving them a way out... Or will we have to expose the Government of Denmark as a NATO ally, As a Traitor? ..And the Sucker fishes the British fascist. Yes let Europe fight the war. Their politicians so want, Kill the Russians and take their land and make it ours. Oh baby in 2025 let's see Europeans Nato troops kill the Russians.All the American troops cain't fight, Their getting sex changes and the leftovers are running to Canada. And 1 fab 500 will have NATO females Dismembered and the male troops running around trying to find pieces of their breast. And in continuous combat conditions, troops may start to keep the lower parts of a female torso.

Skybird

01-29-25, 07:03 AM

You know, I bet if you came to the United States, As a Political Representative of Germany and spouted this in a public forum.Your own government would, Disappear you... You float like the wheat reeds in the wind.A man who can't let go, But by intellect knows he has to bend the knee and cope with the world and accept..Your own Government. Skybird u wish your country had a Donald Trump. Will he live who knows, But he certainly created a SPARK.
This is a very different Trump than during his first term. Much better prepared. His support much better organised. Himself much more determined and focussed. No matter how one stands towards him: everybody cannot afford to not take him much more serious than the last time. What becomes of the internal conflicts within his team where many players do not match together well, remains to be seen. His speech in Davos must be a warning to the industrial-economical "complex", to them he is simply this: a clear and present danger. So far, so good. It now depends on what he uses this constellation for. He may focusse don ther national good and say America First, but the consequences he triggers nevertheless will always be of international effect.

Commander Wallace

01-29-25, 07:05 AM

Both Buu Nygren, Navajo nation president, and Navajo council speaker, Crystaline Curley, have attested to CNN that 15 indigenous tribe members were detained at AZ homes and employment; and that tribal documents were not recognized as proof of US citizenship by the detaining officers. This strikes a "dumb dick unsober bitch" (your verbiage)like myself as being improper profiling by authorities; particularly as there is no legal requirement for a US citizen to carry identification to begin with.:shucks:

No endeavor as sweeping as that carried out by ICE Officers in conjunction with other Law Enforcement Agencies in support of our Immigration laws will be perfect. Far from it. I'm reasonably certain that Latinos that have been fully documented and naturalized in the U.S have also been detained to check their credentials.

The efforts to enforce Immigration Laws won't be easy. The ICE Officers have only been engaged in their efforts for little more than a week. I'm sure Tom Homan and others will learn from any mistakes that are made and make adjustments as they go about their respective jobs to mitigate any damages they cause. I think these Officers and Administrators deserve some patience.

I think we can all agree that these episodes wouldn't be happening if not for the treasonous actions of the Democrats In allowing dangerous individuals to enter the U.S, unfettered and harm Americans. These pieces of garbage wasted no time upon entering the U.S to harm the most vulnerable in our Country.

Young Children and older adults have been assaulted, raped and murdered by these invaders. Our Government has a responsibility and obligation to protect our Citizens, especially our most vulnerable of our population from all existential threats. We ask our various branches of the Military to do that very same thing and they do it honorably and well. As I understand it, you have worked in various capacities to do that very same thing and I'm sure you did that equally well.

I can't stress enough that these violent episodes by these invaders could have been prevented in a number of cases if the Invaders had been properly vetted. The Democrats didn't want that. Remember that at the Midterm Elections in two years what the Democrats have done and the real damage they have caused.

If an indigenous individual had committed crimes in the U.S, they are arrested, detained, prosecuted and if found guilty, Incarcerated. Not so with these Migrants who are caught and then released in Democratically controlled jurisdictions. This is Insane. :doh:

These endeavors won't be painless but they are vital to the well being of our Republic. The ICE Officers didn't want this job but willingly took on this task to support, and defend the integrity of this country and protect it's citizens. This Administration and ICE officers have been handed an almost insurmountable job and I think they are deserving of some patience.

Jeff-Groves

01-29-25, 03:53 PM

So if someone entered the USA Illegally. Then married a US citizen and has been here 16 years. Don't the act of breaking the Law in the 1st place apply?

mapuc

01-29-25, 04:50 PM

Trump are planning on resurface an old punishment, which hasn't been used the last 200 years-Deport American citizens who have committed a lot of crime.

Markus

Jeff-Groves

01-29-25, 05:14 PM

A Law on the books, even 200 years old, is still a Law.

Skybird

01-29-25, 09:11 PM

The fun starts at 00:O3:58 :D
Who the lady is, gets explained before.
https://youtu.be/20BUza4QSfs?si=hYykP8HAb3bWATYk

Ostfriese

01-30-25, 12:25 AM

A Law on the books, even 200 years old, is still a Law.

That's a road I would walk down rather carefully, as it can (and will!) easily turn against you. There's all sorts of laws from back when which have never been removed but which are no longer observed, usually with good reasons.

em2nought

01-30-25, 12:38 AM

Just wait until President Trump picks up on my idea of issuing "Letters of Marque" :arrgh!: for rounding up evil doers. :yeah:

Aktungbby

01-30-25, 12:48 AM

Reece

01-30-25, 01:34 AM

Easy does it Aktung!! :oops::yep:

Aktungbby

01-30-25, 02:54 AM

/\ I'm taking it easy!:yeah: If the Donald croaks in office, we'd all be required to own a copy of vice prez J.D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy...sort of a Republican Mein Kampf or face deportation to Guantanamo...or even Greenland!??

Commander Wallace

01-30-25, 05:42 AM

...this just in: the Donald's brand new Secy. of Transportation, Sean Duffy, who was just sworn in today, is on the job at Washington D.C.'s Intl. Airport where a training Blackhawk 'coptor (4 crewmen has collided with an airliner(64 aboard?). Rescue efforts are underway. Thank goodness it wasn't Air Force One, else 'Merika could never be grate again. But that's just a "dumb dick bitch's" humble opinion...:o:hmm2:

It's being reported the Blackhawk Heliccopter had three crewmembers aboard and was on a training mission. There are lots of questions as to why this Helicopter was in a restricted corridor. Video shows the Helicopter on a collision course with the descending plane for about 30 seconds.

Investigations are underway but this sounds intentional on the part of the Helicopter and it's Pilot. The Helicopter made a number of course corrections to intercept the descending Jet.

https://apnews.com/live/dc-plane-crash-reagan-updates

mapuc

01-30-25, 06:45 AM

It's being reported the Blackhawk Heliccopter had three crewmembers aboard and was on a training mission. There are lots of questions as to why this Helicopter was in a restricted corridor. Video shows the Helicopter on a collision course with the descending plane for about 30 seconds.

Investigations are underway but this sounds intentional on the part of the Helicopter and it's Pilot. The Helicopter made a number of course corrections to intercept the descending Jet.

https://apnews.com/live/dc-plane-crash-reagan-updates

Sounds like suicide mission in my ears.

Markus

Skybird

01-30-25, 07:00 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ2g1RV4Zl4

"While Bobby may be willing to play nice, I won't." And that with the cutest of smiles, and billions on her bank account. :D :haha:

Saw it last night, and I am still grinning.

BTW, for those of us foreigners not knowing it, she is a Democrat. RFK picked her as his choice as his vice. More on her at Wikipedia.

Commander Wallace

01-30-25, 07:52 AM

Sounds like suicide mission in my ears.

Markus

It could be. It may be more likely the Helicopter pilot may have been using night vision devices and the pilot's vision was distorted to some degree. The Investigation is just beginning. The Pilot of the Helicopter allegedly reported he had the descending aircraft in sight.

It has now been reported there are no survivors from this collision.

Skybird

01-30-25, 08:56 AM

Miscommunication between ATC and vehicle(s).

Aktungbby

01-30-25, 10:47 AM

If you're taking it easy why did you post the same reply twice!! :03:Fixed! I was editing my own post on my Verizon tablet which has a mind of its own. I didn't notice it till this AM. Apparently an entire skating team was aboard the airliner, returning from a training session in Kansas!

Buddahaid

01-30-25, 10:58 AM

It could be. It may be more likely the Helicopter pilot may have been using night vision devices and the pilot's vision was distorted to some degree. The Investigation is just beginning. The Pilot of the Helicopter allegedly reported he had the descending aircraft in sight.

It has now been reported there are no survivors from this collision.

The NG gold top was on a training mission and had been cleared by ATC to pass behind the regional airliner. The airliner was on course and stabilized so it's pretty clear the helicopter misidentified the visual contact and flew into the airliner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouDAnO8eMf8

Buddahaid

01-30-25, 11:30 AM

Good legal analysis over Trump's illegal attempt to stop spending with a memo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-anlg16YbP0

Aktungbby

01-30-25, 11:37 AM

Buddahaid

01-30-25, 11:56 AM

Das Trump is now on CNN TV blaming Obama's administration for the disaster and how he's responsible for appointing air traffic controllers of 'superior intellect'(his words!??) to the job...no doubt fellow blue-eyed blond members of the Master Race!??:O:

ATC did nothing wrong. NG pilot error.

Jimbuna

01-30-25, 01:53 PM

Buddahaid

01-30-25, 02:00 PM

I watched it as it was transmitted live and thought it was quite embarrassing.

At this point I think Mr. Bean would be a big step forward as POTUS. :shucks:

Buddahaid

01-30-25, 07:29 PM

The NG helicopter was in a published helicopter route with maximum AGL of 200 ft. and at the collision they are marked at 300 AGL.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3gD_lnBNu0&t=29s

Commander Wallace

01-30-25, 09:43 PM

The NG gold top was on a training mission and had been cleared by ATC to pass behind the regional airliner. The airliner was on course and stabilized so it's pretty clear the helicopter misidentified the visual contact and flew into the airliner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouDAnO8eMf8

This is essentially what is being reported. Investigations by the FAA and others may determine there were mistakes by the Pilot, Air traffic Controllers or a combination of the both of them and other factors. I don't look for a final report on the crash to be available for 9-12 months.

I watched it as it was transmitted live and thought it was quite embarrassing.

Actually, reports are surfacing in the U.S that a number of Military trained and qualified individuals were turned away from Air Traffic Control positions because of DEI initiatives that were put into practice before Trump took office. Further, a number of Individuals with Cognitive and Psychological Issues were employed in these positions, bypassing qualified applicants. How true these assertions are remains to be seen. Regardless, It would seem reasonable to establish standards across the board and require applicants to meet threshold standards in all positions like these and many others.

https://amuseonx.substack.com/p/the-skies-arent-safe-how-dei-policies

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/faa-executive-order-diversity-aviation-dei-rcna188749

https://unherd.com/newsroom/dei-air-traffic-control-safety/

August

01-30-25, 11:55 PM

Buddahaid

01-31-25, 12:17 AM

Geez you have the TDS really bad AK. Point to the spot on the doll where the bad orange man touched you! :)

Look in the mirror. There has already been one special election for the senate that MAGA lost by a large margin in a Trump plus twenty-one area. :har:

Ostfriese

01-31-25, 01:00 AM

I watched it as it was transmitted live and thought it was quite embarrassing.

It certainly was. It's even more embarrassing that so many people still fall for that malarkey, because it means they have to be either really daft or very, VERY ignorant.

Otto Harkaman

01-31-25, 01:55 AM

My goodness isn't the sauce reduced enough? :dead:
https://files.oaiusercontent.com/file-EpNS2tThHUkPqTDNsrfrpn?se=2025-01-31T07%3A04%3A34Z&sp=r&sv=2024-08-04&sr=b&rscc=max-age%3D604800%2C%20immutable%2C%20private&rscd=attachment%3B%20filename%3D1d013e9b-4259-4c90-8727-ab1cc39f09fc.webp&sig=EpkOyTlOp35xlIUEznV0zvlGvydSXDKCDRteiN4A36M%3D

Reece

01-31-25, 02:14 AM

Skybird

01-31-25, 07:46 AM

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republican-doctor-hurdle-rfk-jrs-confirmation-rcna190044

“Your past of undermining confidence in vaccines with unfounded or misleading arguments concerns me,” Cassidy said. “Can I trust that that is now in the past? Can data and information change your opinion, or will you only look for data supporting a predetermined conclusion?”That is indeed the one thing I am uncertain about, too. When I see RFK as a great chance to finally tackle a corrupted food and pharmaceutical industry, I also red about his past campaigning against vaccinations in general, all of them (not just Covid and mRNA vaccines). If this general rejection of any vaccines would find its way into official governmetal health policy, even if he successfully attacks the food/pharma cartel and its devastating influence he then would have cured one desaster while having introduced another one in return.

I can only hope he really has learned from that past, and is beyond that. Regarding his stand on food and bad diet habits and the general health desaster regarding obesity and diabetes, I am obviously on his side. It is of interest for us non-Americans, because the American medical/pharmaceutical/food-related establishment and industry and the way they influence the policy forming in the US, has a very fundamental influence on these topics in other parts of the world as well. A "de-corrupting" of the FDA and NHI would have benefits beyond the American borders.

If RFK gets confirmed, probably no other member of the cabinett then has such a steep uphill battle to fight like he must do then. Success is not guaranteed, I do not even give him a full 50% chance. The forces of persistence that stand in his way are enormous and extremely ruthless. They have driven their tentacles deep into national and international political structures and they swim in money like only few others.

vienna

01-31-25, 04:23 PM

This is essentially what is being reported. Investigations by the FAA and others may determine there were mistakes by the Pilot, Air traffic Controllers or a combination of the both of them and other factors. I don't look for a final report on the crash to be available for 9-12 months.

Actually, reports are surfacing in the U.S that a number of Military trained and qualified individuals were turned away from Air Traffic Control positions because of DEI initiatives that were put into practice before Trump took office. Further, a number of Individuals with Cognitive and Psychological Issues were employed in these positions, bypassing qualified applicants. How true these assertions are remains to be seen. Regardless, It would seem reasonable to establish standards across the board and require applicants to meet threshold standards in all positions like these and many others.

https://amuseonx.substack.com/p/the-skies-arent-safe-how-dei-policies

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/faa-executive-order-diversity-aviation-dei-rcna188749

https://unherd.com/newsroom/dei-air-traffic-control-safety/

What unmitigated bullcrap...

When it comes to the standards for Air Traffic Controllers (ATC), DEI has absolutely, and I do mean absolutely, nothing at all to do with the selection and hiring of ATCs; first of all, let's look at the breakdown of ATCs:

What the data says about Trump's DEI air crash claims --

https://www.axios.com/2025/01/31/dc-plane-crash-trump-dei-air-traffic-control-data

78% male and, of that, 71% White does really seem to fly in the face of those claims of 'rampant' DEI hires; and this:

Trump Misleads on D.E.I. Policies in Blaming Biden for Plane Crash
There is no evidence that diversity efforts played a role in the crash, and his statements disregarded his own administration’s hiring policies.

By Linda Qiu
Reporting from Washington

Published Jan. 30, 2025
Updated Jan. 31, 2025, 1:07 p.m. ET

President Trump quickly turned to excoriating the diversity goals of his Democratic predecessors and the Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday as he updated the public about the deadly collision over the Potomac River.

Even as he acknowledged that he had no evidence, but was instead relying on “common sense,” he suggested that efforts to hire more people with disabilities and diversify the ranks of the F.A.A. were to blame for the accident late Wednesday that killed 67 people.

Here’s a fact check of his remarks.

What Was Said

“This was before I got to office recently, the second term, the F.A.A. is actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems, and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative spelled out on the agency’s website.”

“The F.A.A. website states they include hearing, vision, missing extremities, partial paralysis, complete paralysis, epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, psychiatric disability and dwarfism all qualified for the position of a controller of airplanes pouring into our country, pouring into a little spot, a little dot on the map, little runway.”

“This was in the Obama administration, just prior to my getting there — and we took care of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, we took care of everybody at levels that nobody’s ever seen before. It’s one of the reasons I won — but they actually came out with a directive. Too white.”

This is misleading. Mr. Trump was citing efforts to recruit people with certain disabilities for air traffic operations that began under his own administration, though the language concerning hiring those with disabilities more generally preceded his first term. And there is no evidence that the government’s efforts to recruit more people with disabilities or the Obama or Biden administration’s diversity efforts were to blame for the crash.

It is unclear whether Mr. Trump was referring to information that is not widely known, but at the time of his remarks, the identities of the pilots and air traffic controllers involved had not been made public.

Under Mr. Trump in April 2019, the F.A.A. announced a pilot program for 20 people with targeted disabilities to work in air traffic operations. Targeted disabilities are a set of statutorily defined disabilities, including, but not limited to, those cited by Mr. Trump, that the federal government emphasizes for recruiting. An archived page from June 2019 named the initiative the Aviation Development Program, which “provides an opportunity for persons with targeted disabilities to gain aviation knowledge and experience as an air traffic control student trainee.”

“The candidates in this program will receive the same rigorous consideration in terms of aptitude, medical and security qualifications as those individuals considered for a standard public opening for air traffic controller jobs,” the F.A.A. said in 2019. Those standards include passing an air traffic skills assessment and a medical exam.

According to a Medium post from the agency, one of the program’s first three candidates graduated in 2021 from the F.A.A. Academy and became an air traffic controller trainee that year. It is unclear how many people who graduated from that program are air traffic controllers today.

Moreover, experts said they could not cite a known instance of a plane crash in which diversity efforts had been cited as the sole cause.

“Historically, there has never been an incident, big or small, where D.E.I. or diversity has ever been attributed as a sole cause or contributing cause,” said Tennessee Garvey, a pilot and the chairman of the board of directors for the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals.

He added that the rigorous standards for hiring pilots, mechanics and air traffic controllers were never relaxed to meet diversity goals, but rather that previous administrations and the commercial air industry overall have worked to remove barriers to entry.

Of the more than 900 Black pilots who made up the Tuskegee Airmen, only one became a commercial pilot, he said. And segregation prevented Black men and women from working in the industry until the civil rights movement and lawsuits.

Robert Fowler Jr., a pilot and professor of aerospace at Middle Tennessee State University, said that costs and time required to qualify for a pilot’s license were still significant obstacles. Despite the industry’s attempt to provide scholarships and cast a wider recruiting net, diversity efforts have not been all that successful.

Mr. Trump’s more specific claims about the F.A.A.’s attempts to recruit people with disabilities ignore his first administration’s embrace of that approach.

As Snopes, the rumor-debunking website, has reported, language on the Federal Aviation Administration’s website says that the agency “actively recruits, hires, promotes, retains, develops and advances people with disabilities.” That specific page appeared as early as February 2013 and remained unchanged through the first Trump and Biden administrations. It is no longer on the agency’s website.

The list of the F.A.A.’s “targeted disabilities” cited by Mr. Trump was also present on the agency’s website during the Trump administration. Those include the disabilities Mr. Trump cited as well as hearing, vision, missing extremities and paralysis.

It is also worth noting that the general federal policy for hiring people with disabilities dates back even further, to the Bush administration in 2003 and a 1973 law.

That law, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, initially protected veterans with disabilities from discrimination in federal programs and was expanded through the years to encompass nonveterans and hiring practices.

In 2003, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a governmentwide directive that instructed each government agency to include an annual mission statement, pledge to offer equal employment opportunity regardless of “race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, age, genetic information or disability” and to continually identify and remove barriers to that goal.

While the F.A.A. under several recent administrations and the aviation industry overall have tried to diversify their ranks, including hiring more people with disabilities, progress has been slow.

Annual reports from the F.A.A. show a slight, but not significant, increase in diversity. In 2016, 58.9 percent of its work force consisted of white men and 0.7 percent had targeted disabilities. In 2020, under Mr. Trump, those percentages remained similar at 57.4 percent and 1.1 percent. And in 2023, under Mr. Biden, those percentages were 55.3 percent and 2 percent.

Census data compiled by Deloitte and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shows that the proportion of white air traffic controllers has decreased slightly from 79 percent from 2020 to 73 percent in 2022.

And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4.2 percent of pilots were women and 1.4 percent were Black or Hispanic in 2002; 6.2 percent were women and 5.1 were nonwhite in 2017, Mr. Trump’s first year in office; 5.6 percent and 6 percent in 2020; and 8.8 percent and 7.6 percent in 2023.

Professor Fowler said the primary reason the airline industry has tried to hire across different demographics was simply a strategy to fill a labor shortage as pilots retire: “For example, in 2021, we only have 3.9 percent of pilots who are Black,” he said. “That means there are a lot of other individuals out there who could be qualified to fly.”

For Mr. Trump’s claims about an Obama-era directive criticizing the F.A.A. for being “too white,” the White House also cited a lawsuit filed by a conservative legal organization on behalf of applicants for air traffic controller positions. The lawsuit accused the agency under the Obama administration of discriminating against them because its hiring practices were “engineered to favor racial minorities.” That lawsuit is pending in court.

...and this...

Researching Trump’s statements about DEI, past administrations after DC crash | In context --

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2025/01/30/trump-dei-obama-biden-fact-check/78059546007/

...and this (italics mine)...

Trump rails against DEI after DC plane crash, but it doesn't apply to air traffic controllers --

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-without-evidence-appears-blame-173700360.html

DEI and any similar programs do not apply to air traffic control hiring, though -- no one is given preferential treatment for race, sex, ethnicity or sexual orientation, a former FAA official told ABC News.

Applicants must pass a medical exam, an aptitude test and a psychological test that is more stringent than that required of a pilot, said Chris Wilbanks, FAA deputy vice president of safety and technical training.

In 2022, 57,000 people applied for an ATC position, Wilbanks said, and 2,400 qualified to attend the academy. Of that 2,400, only 1,000 made it to the first day of training.

Wilbanks said 72% make it through the academy and roughly 60% of those will finish training.

...

According to the FAA, the training process lasts about three to four years from the hire date. Applicants must be younger than 31 and must retire by age 55.

Anyone who has taken Ritalin or Adderall in the last three years doesn’t qualify, the former FAA official said.

Somehow, it is extremely, extremely unlikely, if not impossible, for someone to be hired as an ATC and not have met the stringent requirements and rigorous testing needed to even be certified; 1,000 out 57,000 to even be accepted for training, and, of that, a 28% washout rate and, of those who do get through the ATC academy, 40% washout; that is a very, very low number of persons who can manage to tough it out and meet requirements for that job; and, on top of this, there is not a single bit of verifiable evidence that any ATC job was gained due to any form of DEI...

This whole thing is just another bit of evidence that Trump has absolutely no working knowledge of virtually anything he expounds upon; the depth of his ignorance is astounding and his willingness to publicly display such ignorance is shameful; a pervious post noted that Trump's press conference on the DC crash was "embarrassing" and truer words were never spoken; the sight of someone who purports himself to be the POTUS showing up looking like he was begrudgingly rousted out of bed, put in bad makeup, and made to read something he really didn't want to say (at least, not until he went off script and really screwed himself up), looking for all the world like a child forced to do a recital in an elementary school class was, indeed, embarrassing; embarrassing to our nation, to the dignity of the Office of POTUS, embarrassing to the sensibilities of those who might have been expecting some hint of actual, sincere compassion for the victims, embarrassing for the image of our nation around the world...

Oh, and I can see it now: the knee jerk response of "Well, Trump got 77,301,000 votes, so the people have spoken, so there!"; well that's only 49.8% of the total vote, so 50.2% didn't vote for Trump and those people have spoken loudly;; Trump didn't get a majority and he really doesn't have a significant, if any, mandate; the majority of US voters rejected Trump and his MAGA minions and, come the midterm elections, the skin-of-their teeth majority the GOP currently enjoys in the Senate and the House will probably result in the loss of one or both of those advantages; and that's not even taking into account how, even now, the GOP is having a hell of a time trying to wrangle its own members in Congress to reach even a close consensus; the shambolic nature of the GOP portends a shock to the system of the Trump/MAGA loyalists and, like the middle of Trump's failed first term, a nasty black eye to the GOP...

The very fact that Trump loyalists can seriously, and with a straight face and an assumed façade of "logic and common sense", defend the so glaringly obvious deficiencies and lunacies of of Herr Trump is head-shakingly puzzling; the man speaks as an 'authority' of things of which he knows nothing of, makes decisions based of whim and not considered deliberations, and refuses to acknowledged facts when they are presented; how very, very disappointing and disgusting...

There was a prior claim, in this thread, the Trump is the "Greatest President of the 21st Century"; considering there is still 75% of the century still left, and that there have only been four Presidents in the last 25 years, the odds are strongly against that claim; of the four so far, only one is a convicted felon, only one still faces state level charges for election tampering, only one has been impeached twice, and only one has failed to win reelection after his first term (Biden doesn't count since he didn't really stand election), all in all not a very very convincing CV for Best of the Century; gee, I wonder which of the four POTUS is that embarrassing over all loser...?...

AS I said before, I'm not sweating Trump's new flexing of his flabby muscles; his EOs will result in numerous court challenges, taking years, most likely, or will be struck down as unconstitutional (bit of a bother for Donnie, that Constitution thing), and/or, the existing laws governing the things he wants to change will stymie him into entropy; as per his wont, he will bollocks up everything he touches and the voters will reward him and the GOP with a midterm spanking; then he'll spend out the last two years of our collective misery trying to see if he can further forestall having his ass thrown behind bars and/or having his 'empire' dissolved...

Ah, the tears that will be shed by the MAGAs and the GOP...

...they will be delicious...

<O>

vienna

01-31-25, 05:32 PM

Trump and his minions strike again... :haha:

Trump Broke the Federal Email System and Government Employees Got Blasted With Astonishingly Vulgar Messages --

https://news.yahoo.com/news/trump-broke-federal-email-system-163327905.html

The whole thing apparently stems from an overhaul at the OPM led by oligarch-in-chief Elon Musk. On Tuesday, Wired reported that Musk had been given free reign to replace the agency's high-level staff with lackeys from his previous ventures.

Those included a 21-year-old who had previously worked for Peter Thiel, and a summer intern from Neuralink who just graduated high school. It also included Amanda Scales — a former xAI HR staffer who is reportedly in place as the OPM's new chief of staff.

Scales is allegedly implementing what some have called a hostile takeover of the OPM, axing the Chief Information Officer Melvin Brown II for refusing to implement the new regime's in-house email server. Brown evidently made the right call, as the new system — on top of all the aforementioned drama — was immediately hit with a class-action lawsuit for failing to pass Bush-era cyber security checks.

So, let's see: removing experienced Government IT specialists and replacing them with relatively inexperienced and unfamiliar-with-the-system interns and the like, implementing a new system without cyber security checks, etc..

Yep, Trump, is really gonna leave his image on the US government: disheveled, incompetent, incoherent; disorganized, ignorant of reality and doomed to stumbling its way through the next four years, just like Donnie...

Seems like a fairly simple, basic concept: don't try to fix something unless you actually know completely how it actually works...

Ah, just waiting for those delicious MAGA/GOP tears... :03:

<O>

Commander Wallace

01-31-25, 05:39 PM

What unmitigated bullcrap...

When it comes to the standards for Air Traffic Controllers (ATC), DEI has absolutely, and I do mean absolutely, nothing at all to do with the selection and hiring of ATCs; first of all, let's look at the breakdown of ATCs:

What the data says about Trump's DEI air crash claims --

https://www.axios.com/2025/01/31/dc-plane-crash-trump-dei-air-traffic-control-data

78% male and, of that, 71% White does really seem to fly in the face of those claims of 'rampant' DEI hires; and this:

...and this...

Researching Trump’s statements about DEI, past administrations after DC crash | In context --

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2025/01/30/trump-dei-obama-biden-fact-check/78059546007/

...and this (italics mine)...

Trump rails against DEI after DC plane crash, but it doesn't apply to air traffic controllers --

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-without-evidence-appears-blame-173700360.html

Somehow, it is extremely, extremely unlikely, if not impossible, for someone to be hired as an ATC and not have met the stringent requirements and rigorous testing needed to even be certified; 1,000 out 57,000 to even be accepted for training, and, of that, a 28% washout rate and, of those who do get through the ATC academy, 40% washout; that is a very, very low number of persons who can manage to tough it out and meet requirements for that job; and, on top of this, there is not a single bit of verifiable evidence that any ATC job was gained due to any form of DEI...

This whole thing is just another bit of evidence that Trump has absolutely no working knowledge of virtually anything he expounds upon; the depth of his ignorance is astounding and his willingness to publicly display such ignorance is shameful; a pervious post noted that Trump's press conference on the DC crash was "embarrassing" and truer words were never spoken; the sight of someone who purports himself to be the POTUS showing up looking like he was begrudgingly rousted out of bed, put in bad makeup, and made to read something he really didn't want to say (at least, not until he went off script and really screwed himself up), looking for all the world like a child forced to do a recital in an elementary school class was, indeed, embarrassing; embarrassing to our nation, to the dignity of the Office of POTUS, embarrassing to the sensibilities of those who might have been expecting some hint of actual, sincere compassion for the victims, embarrassing for the image of our nation around the world...

Oh, and I can see it now: the knee jerk response of "Well, Trump got 77,301,000 votes, so the people have spoken, so there!"; well that's only 49.8% of the total vote, so 50.2% didn't vote for Trump and those people have spoken loudly;; Trump didn't get a majority and he really doesn't have a significant, if any, mandate; the majority of US voters rejected Trump and his MAGA minions and, come the midterm elections, the skin-of-their teeth majority the GOP currently enjoys in the Senate and the House will probably result in the loss of one or both of those advantages; and that's not even taking into account how, even now, the GOP is having a hell of a time trying to wrangle its own members in Congress to reach even a close consensus; the shambolic nature of the GOP portends a shock to the system of the Trump/MAGA loyalists and, like the middle of Trump's failed first term, a nasty black eye to the GOP...

The very fact that Trump loyalists can seriously, and with a straight face and an assumed façade of "logic and common sense", defend the so glaringly obvious deficiencies and lunacies of of Herr Trump is head-shakingly puzzling; the man speaks as an 'authority' of things of which he knows nothing of, makes decisions based of whim and not considered deliberations, and refuses to acknowledged facts when they are presented; how very, very disappointing and disgusting...

There was a prior claim, in this thread, the Trump is the "Greatest President of the 21st Century"; considering there is still 75% of the century still left, and that there have only been four Presidents in the last 25 years, the odds are strongly against that claim; of the four so far, only one is a convicted felon, only one still faces state level charges for election tampering, only one has been impeached twice, and only one has failed to win reelection after his first term (Biden doesn't count since he didn't really stand election), all in all not a very very convincing CV for Best of the Century; gee, I wonder which of the four POTUS is that embarrassing over all loser...?...

AS I said before, I'm not sweating Trump's new flexing of his flabby muscles; his EOs will result in numerous court challenges, taking years, most likely, or will be struck down as unconstitutional (bit of a bother for Donnie, that Constitution thing), and/or, the existing laws governing the things he wants to change will stymie him into entropy; as per his wont, he will bollocks up everything he touches and the voters will reward him and the GOP with a midterm spanking; then he'll spend out the last two years of our collective misery trying to see if he can further forestall having his ass thrown behind bars and/or having his 'empire' dissolved...

Ah, the tears that will be shed by the MAGAs and the GOP...

...they will be delicious...

<O>

I'm surprised at your tone, Vienna. I know you don't like Trump and that is your prerogative. I personally couldn't care less. The vast majority of the American voting Electorate made an Informed choice and decision. If you can't accept that, that's your problem. If you can't see what has happened over the last four years with Biden / Harris, you must live in a cave.

I never said Trump wasn't carrying a certain degree of baggage. He is. However, given that Harris and Biden have done nothing in four years to address the Issues this country now has, and made things worse, Trump was clearly the better choice, even with his Issues. If the vast majority of our Countrymen voted and supported Trump as opposed to Mama Kamala, are you going to say they are all wrong and your small majority is right. That is absolutely, unmitigated Rubbish.

Keep in mind the post I made.

How true these assertions are remains to be seen. Regardless, It would seem reasonable to establish standards across the board and require applicants to meet threshold standards in all positions like these and many others.

I never said they were facts, just what was being reported. I left it open for others to investigate on their own to determine the truth. I listed the links as well. However, it is well documented that DEI hires contributed to the exacerbation of the wildfires in Los Angeles. You may not feel that way but again, many who voted Democrat in the last election in California for Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom in California feel much differently now. I won't get into how much money was stolen and misdirected to DEI Initiatives instead of building and maintaining the Infrastructure in California. California was beautiful. Now it is a State everyone is leaving. That's a fact.

Further, I have had to deal with Governmental DEI hires and listen to them try to do an analysis in meetings when they didn't have a clue as to what they were talking about. I have walked out on those meetings in the middle of a session because I didn't want to listen to these DEI people anymore. No one listened to me about how inept or stupid they they were until their mistakes cost more money than I will mention here. Only then did they realize their mistakes.

Imagine my satisfaction when I witnessed an entire group of DEI people fired for that massive debacle. I once asked an Individual at work who was gay, and black and recently hired where he went to College and what Education he had. He replied he had an Art degree. I remember I looked at him incredulously and said, " so, you know how to open a coloring book and color in the lines." He had none of the requisite abilities or talents the job he was in demanded. But, he was hired. :doh: He was one of the first DEI people who were later fired.

I have seen DEI hires permeate every aspect of Government and the Private sector. I have no Idea if that played a role in what happened in D.C. However, it is also well documented how many close calls have happened at Reagan National Airport and countless warnings went unheeded. It was only a matter of time before there was an " accident " like this.

As far as Biden, I'm certain he will go down as the worst President this Country has ever had. Then again, only time will tell. Remind me not to ask you for advice when I'm playing the ponies at the race track.

vienna

01-31-25, 08:15 PM

I'm surprised at your tone, Vienna. I know you don't like Trump and that is your prerogative. I personally couldn't care less. The vast majority of the American voting Electorate made an Informed choice and decision. If you can't accept that, that's your problem. If you can't see what has happened over the last four years with Biden / Harris, you must live in a cave.

I never said Trump wasn't carrying a certain degree of baggage. He is. However, given that Harris and Biden have done nothing in four years to address the Issues this country now has, and made things worse, Trump was clearly the better choice, even with his Issues. If the vast majority of our Countrymen voted and supported Trump as opposed to Mama Kamala, are you going to say they are all wrong and your small majority is right. That is absolutely, unmitigated Rubbish.

Keep in mind the post I made.

I never said they were facts, just what was being reported. I left it open for others to investigate on their own to determine the truth. I listed the links as well. However, it is well documented that DEI hires contributed to the exacerbation of the wildfires in Los Angeles. You may not feel that way but again, many who voted Democrat in the last election in California for Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom in California feel much differently now. I won't get into how much money was stolen and misdirected to DEI Initiatives instead of building and maintaining the Infrastructure in California. California was beautiful. Now it is a State everyone is leaving. That's a fact.

Further, I have had to deal with Governmental DEI hires and listen to them try to do an analysis in meetings when they didn't have a clue as to what they were talking about. I have walked out on those meetings in the middle of a session because I didn't want to listen to these DEI people anymore. No one listened to me about how inept or stupid they they were until their mistakes cost more money than I will mention here. Only then did they realize their mistakes.

Imagine my satisfaction when I witnessed an entire group of DEI people fired for that massive debacle. I once asked an Individual at work who was gay, and black and recently hired where he went to College and what Education he had. He replied he had an Art degree. I remember I looked at him incredulously and said, " so, you know how to open a coloring book and color in the lines." He had none of the requisite abilities or talents the job he was in demanded. But, he was hired. :doh: He was one of the first DEI people who were later fired.

I have seen DEI hires permeate every aspect of Government and the Private sector. I have no Idea if that played a role in what happened in D.C. However, it is also well documented how many close calls have happened at Reagan National Airport and countless warnings went unheeded. It was only a matter of time before there was an " accident " like this.

As far as Biden, I'm certain he will go down as the worst President this Country has ever had. Then again, only time will tell. Remind me not to ask you for advice when I'm playing the ponies at the race track.

Let's go over you post in specifics:

I'm surprised at your tone, Vienna. I know you don't like Trump and that is your prerogative. I personally couldn't care less. The vast majority of the American voting Electorate made an Informed choice and decision. If you can't accept that, that's your problem. If you can't see what has happened over the last four years with Biden / Harris, you must live in a cave.

Well, you know I don't like Trump, but my tone surprises you? Really?...

The "vast majority of the American voting Electorate made an Informed choice and decision"? Again, really? What world do you live in? Not only was the no "vast majority" for Trump, he couldn't even muster up a majority at all. C'mon, prove to us where this "vast majority" thing comes from, what's its based on, objectively and mathematically. In fact, given that he was, by your reckoning regarding Biden/Harris, running against a dismally incompetent and inferior opponent, Trump should have made a much better showing; in fact, again, Biden, when he defeated Trump, had a very much larger vote margin than Trump; in 2020, Biden beat Trump by a margin of 7,049,526 votes against Trump's 2024 margin of 2,284,967, a difference of a whopping 4,764,559 votes; and all that shows Trump is very far from being anywhere near a "vast majority"; Trumps margin over Harris was 2,284,967 votes, which with a total of some 150 million votes cast in the 2024 Election, is not any vast majority; seemingly you can't seem to accept that Donnie is not the most popular kid on the playground...

Oh, I accept the Election results, all right; but there is no requirement that I have to see them as my having to submit to the lunacy and idiocy of Trump and MAGA; you seem to have a little problem with 1st Amendment right when it comes to criticizing and pointing out the flaws of your idol.. :03:

As far as four years of Biden/Harris, well all I can point to is the Keystone Kops farce that has been the first two weeks of the Trump second, and thankfully, last term;

I never said Trump wasn't carrying a certain degree of baggage. He is. However, given that Harris and Biden have done nothing in four years to address the Issues this country now has, and made things worse, Trump was clearly the better choice, even with his Issues. If the vast majority of our Countrymen voted and supported Trump as opposed to Mama Kamala, are you going to say they are all wrong and your small majority is right. That is absolutely, unmitigated Rubbish.

Again, that fictional "vast majority"; the countrymen who voted for Trump are, technically, indeed a minority, less that 50% of the total electorate; are they all wrong no, because I believe a great, great many of them voted not for Trump as a favorable and viable candidate, but, rather because there was no other choice; there there is a vast difference in cast a vote for a candidate because you really do support his vales and ideas and casting a vote because there are no other viable options; and, again, even with such a bleak situation at the polls, Trump still couldn't break 50%; they are not "all wrong" and the opposition is not "all right" by any means; anyone who cast s the situation in such 'black-and-white", strict 'yes and no', terms is trying to hide that they are the ones trying to insist they are "all right" in an effort to divert from their own doubts in and inabilities to rationally defend their stance; trying to insist to be fact that which is not at all fact and not being able to substantively back up those assertions, such as you do, is, indeed, the very definition of unmitigated rubbish...

I never said they were facts, just what was being reported. I left it open for others to investigate on their own to determine the truth. I listed the links as well. However, it is well documented that DEI hires contributed to the exacerbation of the wildfires in Los Angeles. You may not feel that way but again, many who voted Democrat in the last election in California for Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom in California feel much differently now. I won't get into how much money was stolen and misdirected to DEI Initiatives instead of building and maintaining the Infrastructure in California. California was beautiful. Now it is a State everyone is leaving. That's a fact.

Now that's a sizeable load of horse crap. Let's pick this one apart: "However, it is well documented that DEI hires contributed to the exacerbation of the wildfires in Los Angeles." Got any actual facts to back up that pile of Bandini, Bub? I live in LA and I can tell you, in all the news reports and analysis, I have seen, heard, or read, there has not been a single verifiable fact reported to backup your hogwash; again, c'mon: give us the hard facts you say are there to back you up, and, again I want verifiable, hard facts, not OpEd pieces or YT vanity videos; it time to put up...

Next:

You may not feel that way but again, many who voted Democrat in the last election in California for Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom in California feel much differently now. I won't get into how much money was stolen and misdirected to DEI Initiatives instead of building and maintaining the Infrastructure in California. California was beautiful. Now it is a State everyone is leaving. That's a fact.

Time to put up again: just the proof of your "facts", CW, that's all we ask; what money and how much, and exactly how DEI is a part of it all; California has spent huge amounts in maintaining existing and building new infrastructure all across the state; we're probably in a much better condition than some of the Blue States; C'mon, show us where a DEI diversion happened and how it adversely affected infrastructure and, please, be specific..

AS far as Bass and Newsom are concerned, well, I didn't vote for Bass, but I did for her opponent, a guy named nick Caruso, a billionaire commercial and residential land developer; he was a Republican, but became an Independent when the first Trump administration and the GOP took a turn for the looney bin; when he ran for Mayor of LA, he ran as a Democrat because the chances of winning as an Independent were vary, very slim; I liked him because he had a record of being fairly level headed (probably a reason why he left the CA-GOP) and he had some rather good ideas; also, I was suspicious of some of Bass's links within the Democratic Party; he ran a good clean race, to his credit, but came up a bit short; I was kind of hoping he would think about running again, if Bass didn't work out, but I have changed my mind following the fires; one of Caruso's big commercial properties was nearly engulfed by one of the fires and was saved through the heroic efforts of the firefighters; do you think he made an effort to highly praise the work of those firefighters? No, he chose instead to loudly and openly criticize, much as you have, the Governor and the Mayor, in the same tone as yours, mainly to bolster his own political ambitions (besides considering another go at the Mayor's office, he's also rumored to be floating about a run at CA Governor); when he did this, many, including some of the victims of the fires, were very quick to point out how he, who was spared from loss, sought to advantage himself on the back's of the victim's misery; maybe he was hoping for that "vast" MAGA vote...

Bass really has been doing a surprisingly, to me, good job in this crisis; she has been totally boots on the ground and very actively involved in all aspects of the relief and recovery efforts; didn't really think she had it in her; as for Newsom, he also has been spending an awful lot of time here in LA and also has been very involved and proactive in the efforts; remember, the CA-GOP has mounted 8 (eight) recall efforts against him since he took office (the first was launched the day after he first won election) and only one actually even made it to the ballot; Newsom easily won with over 61% of the voters (you know, a real vast majority) denying the CA_GOP' s recall; he'll be termed out in 2026, but the real bad news for the CA-GOP is that they still don't have any viable candidates to run for the office...

BTW, Donnie did show up in LA, for his photo-op, and held what he called a town hall on the fire situation; not invited was Newsom and other DEM officials, but plenty of Trump sycophants' were there; it was almost embarrassing to see the "randomly" selected persons posing questions to Trump, gushing over how great he was and how "right" was about absolutely everything; I don't really understand how the Trump camp thought rational people couldn't see through the farce playing out in front of them; then there was the part when Trump tried to unload on Mayor Bass and she was having none of it, answering back against Trump's BS and refuting his fallacies with facts; Like I said, I didn't know she had it in her; fortunately all the local television news stations broadcast the town hall live; the sight of a down crested, sulking Trump being upended by a slip of a woman was priceless...

...and, no, not "everybody" is leaving CA; in fact (there's that fact thing again, look into it) the rate of migration out of state has slowed and the rate of migration into CA has picked up; it seems the temptation of tech jobs and the like has people coming back...

Regarding your alleged experiences with DEI hires, well, that's your word about what you say you saw; I am indeed a firm believer of people being hired for their talents and capabilities and advanced in position based on their results; I don't believe in things like, nepotism, 'old boys clubs', or 'old school ties'; I am also against people being denied opportunities simply because they don't look, act or think like you or your associates; I am reminded of how it was reported Bill Gates exploded into a rage when he was at a meeting on recruitment for Microsoft and he noticed that the recruiters were overwhelmingly and almost without exception recruiting from only their alma maters and related more Ivy League, and white, intuitions; he demanded to know why they weren't also seeking candidates from other colleges, universities, and school who might have equal, if not better capabilities than the narrow pool they were recruiting from; Gates knew that a great brain can live in any individual and he wanted to seek out the best; must have worked, because I do hear Microsoft made a bit of money in the process...

I am also reminded of I book I read a while back, when I was researching the history of Delta Blues music; one very well researched book by Robert Palme, the music critic and scholar, had an entire chapter on the post Civil War effects of economics had on the the Blues; he noted that, following the Emancipation, former slave owners sought to hire Whites to replace their now freed slaves; the plantation owners found that the whites either thought it was beneath them to work at jobs formerly done by slaves, or they actually didn't have the necessary skills or endurance to the jobs, or demanded wages way out of scale to their positions, or were basically unreliable, so the owner offered the paying jobs to the former slaves for a good wage, which of course made the White workers angry because they claimed the Blacks were taking "their" jobs, the same jobs they were unwilling or incapable of doing; the more things change the more they remain the same...

Now see if you can find some real verifiable facts and maybe I'll take you seriously and not as Koll Aid drinking MAGA lemming; I'm sure you're better than that, at heart...

<O>

Reece

01-31-25, 08:30 PM

Lets keep the rhetoric down to a dull roar boys, no mud slinging!! :yep:

Ostfriese

02-01-25, 02:14 AM

I never said they were facts, just what was being reported.

You might not have said it, but your posting was written in a way that heavily implies that the things you claimed were indeed facts* (which, btw., none of your sources supports beyond the level of "hearsay" and "unsubstantiated claims").

This is the same strategy that has been done over and over throughout the entire election season (and the previous seasons as well). It's all about nudging voters towards a certain direction without directly pointing, about creating and then channeling voters' emotions. This is also why I heavily disagree with your statement about the "vast majority of the American voting Electorate [making] an Informed choice and decision". No, definitely not, the contrary is the case. The vast majority made a decision based on emotions, with very little to no consideration of reliable facts, while they believe their known "facts" are absolutely and irrevocably true and anything that doesn't fit their view must be "fake news" and "lies".

Commander Wallace

02-01-25, 07:49 AM

You might not have said it, but your posting was written in a way that heavily implies that the things you claimed were indeed facts* (which, btw., none of your sources supports beyond the level of "hearsay" and "unsubstantiated claims").

This is the same strategy that has been done over and over throughout the entire election season (and the previous seasons as well). It's all about nudging voters towards a certain direction without directly pointing, about creating and then channeling voters' emotions. This is also why I heavily disagree with your statement about the "vast majority of the American voting Electorate [making] an Informed choice and decision". No, definitely not, the contrary is the case. The vast majority made a decision based on emotions, with very little to no consideration of reliable facts, while they believe their known "facts" are absolutely and irrevocably true and anything that doesn't fit their view must be "fake news" and "lies".

This is your take on what I said. I clearly said, this is what is being reported and listed the sources. If you want to believe otherwise, that is of course your prerogative. You are not a native of the U.S whereas, I am. I believe I and those in the U.S that have had to deal with DEI Initiatives have a better understanding of it's effects than someone from thousands of miles away and that relies on media and various news outlets which may be biased.

I have clearly seen DEI Initiatives have disastrous consequences here in the U.S. Unlike you, I didn't need to read about that as we that live in the United States have seen those initiatives up close and personal. Various companies here have completely suspended DEI Initiatives. The listing and links are just a few that have ended DEI Initiatives. Other Companies have quietly removed them without ever acknowledging they had them in the first place. Other Companies are standing firm on their DEI practices.

To be fair, I have nothing against a diverse working environment. In fact, I think it's reasonable. Where the problem arises is where the DEI Initiatives use Identity based reasons to disqualify highly qualified individuals from a job or position in favor of someone who doesn't have any of the requisite education or qualifications for that position. When DEI practices force you to overlook qualified people in favor of those less qualified, that's a huge problem and will be costly, in the long term.

I usually get together with various friends that are business people on Friday nights for dinner and " Happy hour. " I have listened to them and Human Resources people at dinner lament the fact that they were forced to hire people that weren't qualified for the positions they applied for but fit the ideal of a socially engineered employee. These hiring decisions were pursuant to DEI Directives in the various Companies.

Further, when those DEI hires didn't do the job, the Company had to release them and find someone else for the same position. Anyone is Business will tell you that turnover, in terms of the time required and costs and expenses involved to train someone else and the business lost not to mention the damaged reputation with your clientele, can be costly. Perhaps even worse is the fact that such practices can erode confidence in your ability to lead, by your employees and Clientele. This is especially true if your employees have to work harder or put in overtime because of stupid and short sighted DEI hiring practices. This can undermine the Company objectives and also confidence by your business partners. This in turn can destroy morale with your more established and educated personnel and others too if they have to cover the work lost because of the firing of DEI people that never should have been hired in the first place.

Since people have freedom of movement, the good employees that previously existed may leave their former company for greener pastures and take their knowledge, drive and abilities with them, possibly to competitors and competing Companies. This is assuming there is a no compete clause in their respective employment contracts. This would be a disaster since employees like that have a working knowledge of the Company they just left and it's command and control structures, equipment, production capacities, etc.... This can also be the beginning of a cascading effect of losing good people. It also makes managers look bad because of forces beyond their control.

My father who was in Business once told me, " If you don't take care of your Business and or customers and Clientele, someone else will and you will lose. " He was 100 % right. DEI Initiatives are clearly a threat to that philosophy for the reason's i mentioned.

DEI initiatives have been largely used in Government and the Military. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has acknowledged DEI problems in the Military and vowed to eradicate it to create a more lethal military which is of course, his job. Pete's assertions were made after discovering resources were being allocated to DEI initiatives instead of building and maintaining the infrastructure of a highly trained and mobil, lethal fighting force.

IF DEI policies weren't an Issue or problem, why would a Harvard and Princeton educated Individual like Pete Hegseth need to address them at all ? Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has served in Iraq and Afghanistan as well. Pete is a highly decorated Vet with several military awards, including two Bronze Star Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Expert Infantryman Badge.

Therefore, if it is acknowledged that DEI Initiatives are present in U.S Government entities and in the Military, why is it not plausible that DEI hires might also include Air traffic Controllers as well who are to a large degree, trained in the Military ?

It disturbs me that I am being called a MAGA crazy and that somehow thinking that Donald Trump was a better choice for President makes me uniformed. A former friend here has said with surprisingly open hostility that they believe Donald Trump is my Idol. Quite the contrary. Donald Trump had promised to address the Issues the U.S is facing like out of control Immigration. Trump and Tom Homan took on that task on day one after Trump's Inauguration. This is a situation that was created by Biden / Harris. The Issue of Migration is being faced by your own country in Germany in addition to the U.K, Poland, Hungary, Ireland and other countries in Europe with regards to Muslim invaders. These countries are realizing the threat and dangers these dissimilar individuals pose and starting to respond with force.

To be honest, It was stupidity on the part of Germany and others to expect people from different countries with a Muslim religion that espouses hatred, intolerance and violence and against women, to conduct themselves in a reasonable fashion. Germany and others are beginning to wake up to that realization. Simply put, if people don't share your collective values, things won't go well.

Again, I have said it remains to be seen if that is true, with regards to the Air Traffic Controllers. I never said it was or it wasn't. However, considering how DEI Initiatives have permeated every part of the U.S Government, I thought it was at least, possible. Maybe this detailed explanation with regards to DEI practices will give you a better understanding of what I am talking about. Probably not, though. If you want to make something more out of that in pursuit of an agenda known only to you, have at it. I stand on what I said based on what I have seen, not what I have read, like you have.

https://blog.obws.com/list-of-corporations-ending-dei-initiatives/

https://www.axios.com/2025/01/16/dei-rollback-companies-amazon-meta-mcdonalds

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense/3301027/hegseth-sets-out-eradicate-dei-from-pentagon/

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-says-no-more-dei-department-defense-no-exceptions

https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-01-27/hegseth-pentagon-dei-executive-orders-vaccine-trump-16616704.html

https://www.newsx.com/us-elections-2024/pete-hegseth-military-career-experience-rank-postings-and-more/

mapuc

02-01-25, 05:22 PM

Now this came as a surprise for me, as I see USA as a friend-Even though Trump have threaten Denmark, if they don't sell Greenland to him.

It was conducted by YouGov for the international media outlet the Guardian and was made against the backdrop of weeks of tensions between Denmark and the United States, after President Donald Trump declared that he wants to take control of Greenland and buy the country.

https://ekstrabladet-dk.translate.goog/nyheder/samfund/danskerne-er-mere-bange-for-usa-end-nordkorea-og-iran/10515027?_x_tr_sl=da&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=da&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Markus

Buddahaid

02-01-25, 06:06 PM

This is meant as a joke.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/3933/aZ1eAE.png

August

02-01-25, 06:51 PM

Look in the mirror. There has already been one special election for the senate that MAGA lost by a large margin in a Trump plus twenty-one area. :har:

What are you blathering on about now Mister change the subject?

August

02-01-25, 06:55 PM

Speaking about changing the subject:

Interim D.C. U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. has made a bold move, dismissing about 30 federal prosecutors involved in the Capitol riot cases. This decision, announced on Friday, signals a significant housecleaning of the top prosecutor's office in Washington, D.C., as Martin gears up to purge partisans who weaponized the Justice Department against Joe Biden’s political enemies, including Trump, pro-life activists, and others.

But he’s also taken another bold step, effectively launching an investigation into Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer over comments he made back in March 2020 during a #MyRightMyDecision rally outside the Supreme Court. During the rally, Schumer blatantly threatened Trump-appointed Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch over their potential votes in the first abortion case before the Supreme Court with the new conservative majority.

“I want to tell you, Gorsuch, I want to tell you, Kavanaugh: You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price,” Schumer said to a chorus of cheers. “You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.”

According to 18 U.S. Code § 115 (https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/115), whoever threatens a federal official, “with intent to impede, intimidate, or interfere with such official, judge, or law enforcement officer while engaged in the performance of official duties, or with intent to retaliate against such official, judge, or law enforcement officer on account of the performance of official duties, shall be punished” by a fine or imprisonment of as much as ten years.

Tom Fitton, the president of Judicial Watch, has been calling on Schumer to be federally prosecuted for years.

“Schumer should have been (and should be) criminally prosecuted for his threats targeting two Supreme Court justices,” Fitton wrote (https://x.com/TomFitton/status/1540301436214546438).

“If I had said that, I'd have two U.S. marshals in my office, or frankly, probably in my home in the least, questioning me, questioning my family, questioning everyone here at Judicial Watch,” he said back in 2022. “Anyone else I had talked to about that threat on the Supreme Court, Justice Roberts responded, rightly so, said that type of language is dangerous.”

https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2025/02/01/this-top-senate-democrat-is-under-federal-investigation-n4936581

Skybird

02-01-25, 07:54 PM

https://youtu.be/Nvh3ayQ-5yU?si=DXOautXJjdXZMgsX

from china, with love.

https://youtu.be/nU2WVh-Ri8M?si=vOMFLPRVBMqtCLe_

from america, with love.

Jeff-Groves

02-01-25, 08:34 PM

Just checking in.
Good thing I was ready!

https://c.tenor.com/9VkGCZY2zjMAAAAd/popcorn-eating.gif

Reece

02-01-25, 08:44 PM

Can I have some please Jeff?? :yep:

Gorpet

02-01-25, 10:16 PM

Reece

02-02-25, 12:36 AM

Not sure if this has been up but it is very worrying news::oops::doh::hmmm:

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/musk-aides-lock-government-workers-out-computer-systems-us-agency-sources-say-2025-01-31/

Ostfriese

02-02-25, 02:01 AM

from china, with love.

from america, with love.

Don't worry, the Americans will learn it one way or another. Have fun with higher prices, Americans :D

Ostfriese

02-02-25, 04:41 AM

...

A quick reality check:

JANUARY 20 - Trump fires the head of the Federal Aviation Administration, the department in charge of flight safety
JANUARY 21 - Trump freezes hiring for Air Traffic Controllers
JANUARY 22 - Trump disbands the Aviation Safety Advisory Committee
JANUARY 28 - Trump sends out a buyout/retirement demand to existing employees, removing experienced safety staff
JANUARY 29 - First American mid-air collision in 16 years

Skybird

02-02-25, 06:52 AM

It's round 2, The Question is, will he survive the globalist he knows who they are...Can he pull the an entire country to support him ?
He will divide it further.

I say since years Trump is not a cause, he is a symptom (for the general political and moral and civilizational decline and the corruption deep engraved into the system and even into the whole modern West: unscruplolous powerhungry political parties have taken the state as their prey).

The tragic in all this is - he has a couple of very valid points, and then there are a few which he does not seem to see through fully, and by "adressing" also the latter he makes things much worse (see the tariffs as one example). By doing so he so very easily can - and I think: will - ruin so much more than what he will "heal".

I also think he dreams of establishing his family dynasty as the new form of government of the US, and for that he mericlessly abuses inherent weaknesses of the American constitutional order that have existed since always and that were the result of the old times of foundation and and its - then very different - views and situational conditions of the worlds. These old textes and their content were written and thought out by the needs and ideas of that long since gone era, the world as it then was, the views of the world as they then were imagined. But times and the world have changed, and thus parts of these old texts and the contemporary present collide head on.

To allow big business and billionaires into government imo is utmost and extremely dangerous.

Trump will most likely prove to be of a certain value in that he will tear down a lot that wa snot good anymore. Problem is, not only the bad, but also a lot of what maybe was more good than bad.

Its a bit - complicated... :D

Commander Wallace

02-02-25, 07:06 AM

A quick reality check:

JANUARY 20 - Trump fires the head of the Federal Aviation Administration, the department in charge of flight safety
JANUARY 21 - Trump freezes hiring for Air Traffic Controllers
JANUARY 22 - Trump disbands the Aviation Safety Advisory Committee
JANUARY 28 - Trump sends out a buyout/retirement demand to existing employees, removing experienced safety staff
JANUARY 29 - First American mid-air collision in 16 years

You really are delusional if you believe these firings have anything to do with this collision. There were multiple close calls at Reagan National Airport long before Donald Trump took office. The lax safety practices and conditions at the Airport made this an accident waiting to happen. Kinda like you. Trump put a freeze on Federal Hiring's. By the way, where is your evidence of your outlandish assertions and supposition ?

Quote: It is unclear whether the freeze prevents the FAA from hiring new air traffic controllers or if these roles fall under public safety professionals.

https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-freeze-hiring-air-traffic-controllers-washington-crash-2023348

By the way, I'm not all that concerned about tariffs. That can be made up by making freeloader Countries like yours pay their fair share with regards to their NATO obligations. I have no Idea why we are paying for your protection anyhow. I'm sure Germany will do just fine without us or our weapons and money.

Skybird

02-02-25, 07:15 AM

Career federal employees can be fired for conduct or performance issues, not because they failed to demonstrate political loyalty to the current incumbent of the White House (...) https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/senior-fbi-official-forcefully-resisted-trump-administration-firings-rcna190301

Quite some of what Trump pulled off in stunts so far, was and is illegal. But what else to expect from somebody who motivated the masses for the Jan. 6th riots and who spreads the lief of a stolen election until today. For him, laws are an obstacle to overcome, nothing that has the character of a rule to obey. It is to be expected that not all executive orders he rippled-fired in the first hours will stand the test of being challenged at court. Some already are.

His attempted reply will be clear: retribute against the judges, and/or dismantle the courts. :)

--------------

How comes that so many Americans allow this to happen and think of it as good? The answer is obvious. The answer illustrates how very, very fed up with the extremist pushes of the ideological left many people are. Like the left agenda in Germany has brougt up and still feeds and strenghtens the AfD in Germany, in America a comparable process has brought up Trumpism. Two faces of a similar derailing process of the very system itself.

Skybird

02-02-25, 09:49 AM

[Der Spiegel] Billionaire and Tesla boss Elon Musk and his team for the White House's newly created Government Efficiency Department are said to have gained access to the US Treasury Department's payment system. This was reported by the New York Times and the Washington Post. This would give Musk access to sensitive personal data on millions of Americans who receive Social Security payments, tax refunds and other funds from the government.

The head of a Silicon Valley company is also part of the team that is now said to have access to the data. Most recently, a top official had put up resistance, but this has now been broken. David Lebryk, a career civil servant at the Ministry of Finance, had reportedly rejected Musk's plans. However, he has now been placed on leave and then retired. As a result, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent granted Musk's team access to the payment system on Friday, it was further reported.

The department's payment system is used to transfer more than six trillion dollars worth of money to Americans on behalf of federal agencies every year. Access to this system gives the administration under the new US President Donald Trump a further mechanism with which it can potentially restrict disbursements of funds authorized by Congress.

Trump had made Musk, the richest man in the world, SpaceX and Tesla billionaire, head of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE for short). According to him, this newly created department for government efficiency is intended to uncover fraud and waste in the government. The department had long sought in vain to gain access to the Treasury Department's system for distributing federal funds.

Democratic US Senator Ron Wyden published on the online platform Bluesky that, according to his information, Bessent had granted Musk's department full access to the payment system as the newly appointed US Treasury Secretary. “Social Security and Medicare benefits, grants, payments to federal contractors, including those that compete directly with Musk's own companies. Everything,” wrote the leading Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee.

He said he had concerns that access to the payment system would be granted to a billionaire with an extensive portfolio - who had potential conflicts of interest. In a letter to the Treasury Secretary, Wyden warned that any “politically motivated interference” in the payments system “could cause serious harm to our country and the economy”.
------------------

Dont be afraid, altruist that he is, Musk only means it well! :D

Buddahaid

02-02-25, 10:58 AM

August

02-02-25, 12:52 PM

And the MAGA trade war begins spewing rainbows of patriotic price increases and job losses. Yay we win!

EDIT: The NG helicopter pilot had 500 hours and was a woman.

There, in before the DEI ranting.

Apparently the she was the third person aboard the helicopter, not the pilot or copilot. Nice way to make it about her gender dei man.

Catfish

02-02-25, 07:15 PM

Canada will defend itself against US tarriffs. Trump did not even answer to foreign calls.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trump-tariffs-canada-february-1-1.7447829?cmp=newsletter_Morning%20Headlines%20fro m%20CBC%20News_1613_1851999

Trudeau's speech:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-speech-trump-tariffs-1.7448540

excerpt:
"[...] Tonight, I am announcing Canada will be responding to the US trade action with 25 per cent tariffs against $155 billion worth of American goods. This will include immediate tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods as of Tuesday, followed by further tariffs on $125 billion worth of American products in 21 days' time to allow Canadian companies and supply chains to seek to find alternatives.

Like the American tariffs, our response will also be far-reaching and include everyday items such as American beer, wine and bourbon, fruits and fruit juices, including orange juice, along with vegetables, perfume, clothing and shoes. It will include major consumer products like household appliances, furniture and sports equipment. And materials like lumber and plastics, along with much, much more. And as part of our response, we are considering — with the provinces and territories — several non-tariff measures, including some relating to critical minerals, energy, procurement and other partnerships. [...]"

Buddahaid

02-02-25, 07:38 PM

Apparently the she was the third person aboard the helicopter, not the pilot or copilot. Nice way to make it about her gender dei man.

Oh good I heard wrong then DEI guy.

Skybird

02-02-25, 08:20 PM

As the two videos linked explain, it is the US citizen in the end who will pay for the higher end prices on the streets if the importer must bring up this additional tax.

However, the importer could stop importing things if it does not calculate good for him anymore.

If it is goods that are not essential to import (by essential I mean since the US economy does replace them at its own price tags which may or may not greet the consumer), they simply are not availabe in the US anymore from external importers, and the producer offshore must find other customers. National production will fill the gap.

If goods imported are essential and the US economy cannot replace them, then the producer can reject the tarriffs and simply stop doing business with the US. And that is the less harmless of the US the more relevant and indispensable the good in question is.

I see a chance that Trump is about something different than just to rumble for the sake of rumbling: that he wants to bring Americans to buy more "made in America", that way supporting national production and returning US companies who moved out years ago, so that they go back to the US again.

So not so much about equalising trade with nations he claims treat America bad, oh so bad, but boosting national consumerism and economy and make people buy "made in America". If the latter, his calculation can easily blow up and cost the US and citizens more then it brings in hoped-for compensations.

Hawk66

02-03-25, 09:38 AM

all countries around the US are evil, luckily there is Trump, who finally has recognized that :haha:

I have read that 0,2% from this drug (forgot the name) comes from Canada. So this is the main justification for 25% tax.

Oh and about being exploited: I am asking myself why there are so many billionaires, being it companies or persons, when "all" other countries exploit the US. Something is not fitting here...but facts are not that important anymore in this time we live...I know.

Skybird

02-03-25, 09:53 AM

Ontario, responsible for 38% of the Canadian GDP, has just banned all US companies from provincial contracts and has cancelled all Starlink treaties with Musk. Ontario's premier said that this would cause US companies to lose tens of billions in revenues.

Jimbuna

02-03-25, 09:59 AM

Nothing good will come for either side in a trade war.

Commander Wallace

02-03-25, 10:14 AM

:sign_yeah: No, it won't. Hopefully, they all sit down and talk.

Buddahaid

02-03-25, 11:07 AM

:sign_yeah: No, it won't. Hopefully, they all sit down and talk.

I seriously doubt that. What Trump ran on was improving the economy, immigration and ending "wokeness", and now that he's elected and doesn't need his voters anymore, he's dumping you and the rest of us so the wealthiest get richer on our backs.

Show me in six months, a year, two years from now how much better off you are and how your wealth has grown. I'll believe when I see it but even that will be harder because he wants to control all the media and stop Federal Agencies from reporting consumer indexes and so on.

Skybird

02-03-25, 11:34 AM

Talks between Mexico and Trump led to a 30 days delay for implementing tariffs after Mexico agreed to send 10,000 troops to its border. Talks go on.

Commander Wallace

02-03-25, 12:16 PM

Talks between Mexico and Trump led to a 30 days delay for implementing tariffs after Mexico agreed to send 10,000 troops to its border. Talks go on.

^ Good job. :yep: Mexico needs to get it's act together. We'll see if they hammer out a permanent deal in the next 30 days.

I seriously doubt that. What Trump ran on was improving the economy, immigration and ending "wokeness", and now that he's elected and doesn't need his voters anymore, he's dumping you and the rest of us so the wealthiest get richer on our backs.

Show me in six months, a year, two years from now how much better off you are and how your wealth has grown. I'll believe when I see it but even that will be harder because he wants to control all the media and stop Federal Agencies from reporting consumer indexes and so on.

Well, so much for your theories. :doh:

mapuc

02-03-25, 12:18 PM

Even though US President Trump is acting out of touch with the rest of the world, we civilized friends don't have to do the same. I've been thinking - What if the unexpected happens? That the President occupies Greenland. If this happens, I'll still be the same, no aggression from my side.

Markus

Commander Wallace

02-03-25, 12:21 PM

mapuc

02-03-25, 12:31 PM

Well said, Markus. That's won't happen, Markus. With regards to Greenland, it's just grandstanding. Nothing more.

Yes you are correct.

Trump should read up on the deal USA have with Denmark and Greenland-USA can place as many soldiers they want on the island in a crisis situation. Don't know whether this is acceptable in peacetime.

Markus

August

02-03-25, 12:35 PM

Yes you are correct.

Trump should read up on the deal USA have with Denmark and Greenland-USA can place as many soldiers they want on the island in a crisis situation. Don't know whether this is acceptable in peacetime.

Markus

Will Denmark let Greenland go if the inhabitants decide that they want to be a part of the USA?

Buddahaid

02-03-25, 12:41 PM

^ Good job. :yep: Mexico needs to get it's act together. We'll see if they hammer out a permanent deal in the next 30 days.

Well, so much for your theories. :doh:

It still stands and I'll wait to hear how much better off you are months from now.

mapuc

02-03-25, 12:42 PM

Will Denmark let Greenland go if the inhabitants decide that they want to be a part of the USA?

There is a klausul in the agreement between Denmark and Greenland, that they can choose independent anytime they want and they are then master in own house to decide where they want to go. So Yes Greenland can if they decide to join USA and Denmark will let them.

Markus

Commander Wallace

02-03-25, 01:12 PM

I seriously doubt that. What Trump ran on was improving the economy, immigration and ending "wokeness", and now that he's elected and doesn't need his voters anymore, he's dumping you and the rest of us so the wealthiest get richer on our backs.

Show me in six months, a year, two years from now how much better off you are and how your wealth has grown. I'll believe when I see it but even that will be harder because he wants to control all the media and stop Federal Agencies from reporting consumer indexes and so on.

I have to ask, do you live in the U.S ? If not, where do you reside ?

August

02-03-25, 01:15 PM

There is a klausul in the agreement between Denmark and Greenland, that they can choose independent anytime they want and they are then master in own house to decide where they want to go. So Yes Greenland can if they decide to join USA and Denmark will let them.

Markus

So we might not even have to pay for it then. :hmmm:

Otto Harkaman

02-03-25, 01:15 PM

I am going to guess the real worry is things like this "in 2016, China's Shenghe Resources acquired a 12.5% stake in Greenland Minerals and Energy, which is involved in developing the Kvanefjeld rare earth project."

The Kvanefjeld rare earth project is a significant mining project in southern Greenland, known for its large deposits of rare earth elements (REEs), uranium, and zinc. The project has been a focal point of international interest due to its potential role in the global rare earth supply chain, which is currently dominated by China.
Key Facts About Kvanefjeld

Location: Near Narsaq, southern Greenland.
Ownership: Originally developed by Greenland Minerals Ltd. (an Australian company).
Chinese Involvement: In 2016, Shenghe Resources, a Chinese rare earth company, acquired a 12.5% stake in Greenland Minerals Ltd., making it a key partner in the project. Shenghe is closely linked to China’s rare earth industry.
Reserves: Estimated to contain 11 million tons of rare earth oxides, making it one of the largest untapped REE deposits globally.

Controversy and Opposition

Environmental Concerns: The project has faced strong local opposition, particularly due to its uranium content and the risk of radioactive contamination.
Political Backlash: Greenland’s government has shifted its stance over time. In 2021, Greenland’s newly elected left-wing government banned uranium mining, effectively halting Kvanefjeld’s development.
Geopolitical Issues: The project attracted U.S. and European interest as part of efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled rare earth supplies. However, China's involvement raised concerns in Washington and Copenhagen.

Current Status

With the uranium mining ban in place, Kvanefjeld's development is effectively blocked.
Greenland Minerals Ltd. has attempted legal challenges against the ban.
The future of the project remains uncertain, especially with global demand for rare earths increasing.

Buddahaid

02-03-25, 01:29 PM

I have to ask, do you live in the U.S ? If not, where do you reside ?

Not so sunny today California and near neighbor to Achtung. Born there as well as my parents and their parents unlike the son of an anchor baby in office currently.

Seriously, I hope to be proven wrong.

Commander Wallace

02-03-25, 02:09 PM

Not so sunny today California and near neighbor to Achtung. Born there as well as my parents and their parents unlike the son of an anchor baby in office currently.

Seriously, I hope to be proven wrong.

You just go on and on. :doh:

The point that I wanted to make is this. If you are born and bred in the U.S, why would you want your Country to fail ? Only a complete moron would want that for their Country.

August

02-03-25, 02:18 PM

Born there as well as my parents and their parents unlike the son of an anchor baby in office currently.

Seriously, I hope to be proven wrong.

Easy enough, Trumps father was born in New York.

Buddahaid

02-03-25, 03:15 PM

Easy enough, Trumps father was born in New York.

Yes, to undocumented immigrants who tried to return to Germany. Lists Fredericks citizenship to the US in 1902.

In 1901, Frederick Trump returned to Kallstadt and married Elisabeth Christ. As he had purportedly immigrated to the United States in order to evade conscription, the Bavarian Government stripped him of his citizenship in 1905. Consequently, he returned to the United States with his family.

mapuc

02-03-25, 04:20 PM

- Right now it's up to Trump, Mexico and Canada to sit down at the negotiating table and agree to end this, but that doesn't seem to be happening. This is something that can take hold. It requires political will to work together on a solution before this can come to an end. Right now it looks like the situation is just going to explode. And that's really bad, says Jens Ladefoged Mortensen.

https://ekstrabladet-dk.translate.goog/nyheder/Udland/dansk-ekspert-kan-smadre-verdensoekonomien/10517077?_x_tr_sl=da&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=da&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Markus

Skybird

02-03-25, 05:26 PM

The bigger beef is Greenland, I suppose. And while there is some validity in security concerns and strategic considerations, I claim that in the very main it is about the assumed super rich deposits of ressources in the ground that are estimated to be in the range of several trillion dollars if counting all together and that become accessible with the retreating ice.

In other words: Trump is on a looting spree.

Maybe on his first foreign state visit they should raise not the star spangled banner but the black flag with skull and bones.

I read most Greenlanders dont want to be bought off by the Americans, but then also a majority does not want to stay with the Danes, for troubled historic reasons. They seem to want independency by majority. Problem ist, to be independent and thus: sovereign, you need to be able to live by your own means, and defend that. The Greenlanders currently cannot do any of the two, they depend on NATO protection and Danish subsidies.

Beside that, i say what I always say: if a regional population does not want to be owned and governed by somebody else, they have the natural right to be independent and rejecting being governed by that somebody. They just have no right to demand that others nevertheless have to pay their bills. - Maybe the Danes should let them go into independence, and then compete with Trump for the better economic offerings for ressource mining and such to keep the US in check. And vice versa. I just fear that then Trump again would be in the stronger position, the US is one united national state, the EU is not (becasue the Danes would need to brign the eU in,a one they cannot rival with the US, and thats why Trump wants right that: leave the EU out and talk only with the Danes). That gives Trump far more freedom to navigate in negotiations. I forsee bickering by the Spanish, the French, and all others who have issues with regional independence attempts. Its much harder for the EU than for the US to speak from a position of unity.

August

02-03-25, 05:35 PM

Yes, to undocumented immigrants who tried to return to Germany. Lists Fredericks citizenship to the US in 1902.

In 1901, Frederick Trump returned to Kallstadt and married Elisabeth Christ. As he had purportedly immigrated to the United States in order to evade conscription, the Bavarian Government stripped him of his citizenship in 1905. Consequently, he returned to the United States with his family.

Gwan with your falsehoods.

The Presidents grandfather was not undocumented at all. He entered the United States completely legally through the Castle Garden Immigrant Landing Depot in New York City.

Keep trying though. Like a broken clock someday you'll be right about something.

Skybird

02-03-25, 05:52 PM

After Mexico, US President Donald Trump has now also granted neighboring Canada a reprieve from the tariffs he has threatened. The punitive tariffs, which were due to come into force at midnight (local time), will be suspended for a month, wrote Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on X. In return, the country agreed to make concessions on border security. Canada will rank cartels as terrorist organisations and spend 1.3 bn into strengthening border controls against Fentanyl traffic.

Reece

02-03-25, 06:26 PM

https://www.joeydevilla.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/how-tariffs-work.jpg

Commander Wallace

02-03-25, 07:06 PM

Gwan with your falsehoods.

The Presidents grandfather was not undocumented at all. He entered the United States completely legally through the Castle Garden Immigrant Landing Depot in New York City.

Keep trying though. Like a broken clock someday you'll be right about something.

Even a broken clock is right, twice a day. :haha:

Buddahaid

02-03-25, 09:29 PM

Further analysis on the midair. The helicopter acknowledged it had the passenger jet in sight to the ATC at six miles separation, requested and was granted visual separation then, and this was repeated again a bit later. The collision occurred at 325 ft AGL clearly over the established helicopter route 1 maximum altitude. The helicopter was also informed the traffic was going to be using runway 33 approach. ATC DEI bullcrap has nothing to do with this accident.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9mAUks0krI

Buddahaid

02-03-25, 09:38 PM

Even a broken clock is right, twice a day. :haha:

Only if it has hands. :Kaleun_Wink:

August

02-03-25, 09:55 PM

Trump is taking on the shadow regulatory state

President Donald Trump‘s much-anticipated deregulation executive order, signed last week, goes further than anything he did in his first term. Not only does it require agencies to eliminate 10 regulations for every new one, but it also directly targets guidance documents, the unaccountable tools federal bureaucrats have long used to impose regulations without going through formal rulemaking.
And there’s plenty of guidance that needs to go.
For years, agencies have misused guidance to sidestep public input and impose sweeping mandates without congressional approval. Trump’s executive order takes aim at this practice, ensuring that guidance is treated as the regulatory action it truly is. One example? The Department of Education’s last-minute guidance on name, image, and likeness, the policy that allows college athletes to earn money through sponsorships and endorsements.
Just before leaving office, the Biden administration issued a directive forcing schools to apply Title IX equity rules to NIL deals—a move with major implications for college athletics, made without public input.
The NIL guidance requires schools to apply Title IX’s sex-based equity mandates to NIL deals, demanding that opportunities be distributed “equitably” between male and female athletes. But college sports don’t work that way. Football and men’s basketball generate the lion’s share of revenue, and NIL deals naturally follow. The guidance, however, sets up schools for legal uncertainty, opening the door to federal investigations and lawsuits if the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights decides their NIL opportunities aren’t “fair.”
More importantly, this wasn’t a law passed by Congress or even a formal regulation subject to public review. It was an unelected bureaucrat’s memo, issued with the stroke of a pen, bypassing transparency and accountability. And NIL is far from the only example — guidance is used to impose unfunded mandates on Medicaid, dictate policing practices, and even regulate the wording of local traffic signs.
At the Center for Practical Federalism, we’ve been tracking this abuse of guidance across agencies, and the problem is only growing. That’s why Trump’s executive order is so significant: It doesn’t just clean up the mess Biden and previous administrations left behind, it ensures guidance is treated as regulation, subject to cost limits and review.
But one executive order isn’t enough. In 2020, the Trump administration required agencies to publicly disclose their guidance and clearly label it as non-binding, a critical first step. But for real, lasting reform, Congress must act to codify limits on guidance abuse, preventing agencies from using it as a backdoor for sweeping policy changes.
The NIL directive is a textbook case of why this matters. It’s time to restore proper boundaries on agency power, and Trump’s executive order is the first major step in the right direction.

Jennifer Butler is a Senior Policy Advisor at State Policy Network’s Center for Practical Federalism.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/faith-freedom-self-reliance/3308726/trump-taking-on-the-shadow-regulatory-state/

Commander Wallace

02-03-25, 11:23 PM

Only if it has hands. :Kaleun_Wink:
I was referring to you and agreeing with August.. :yep:

I think a better analogy would be even a blind Squirrel can find a nut now and then. :yep:

Buddahaid

02-04-25, 01:17 AM

I was referring to you and agreeing with August.. :yep:

I think a better analogy would be even a blind Squirrel can find a nut now and then. :yep:

Ha! A blind person can "see" things those with tunnel vision miss.