joker97: He is what Russia wanted. Leave him be I say!

Fixed that for you :)

joker97: Sounds like Putin did install Trump!

Excrement floats. If sanitation is inadequate, it will inevitably rise to the surface, forming a squalid, stinking mass. It will putrefy, spreading like a smile as it leaks infection and disease. It will seep into pockets of weakness as it overwhelms and suffocates with the stench of corruption and decay. So if you happen to glance into your toilet, and you see what you think looks like a familiar face, don’t forget to flush.

gzt:

tdgeek:

 

But so far, his out there antics and behaviour have been kept in check. I dont expect that to change, but it could, so a concern. But checks and balances have worked well to date.

 

 

 

Sleep soundly!

 

Well let's hope none of the institutions burn down. Or any other type of events that could give him and his men free reign..

I'm certain that this will happen - and equally certain that when it happens, it's going to be very hard to figure out what's really going on.

The Trump administration and alt:right are in a war against "liberals".  It's not an ideological "debate" - it's absolute war.

Reason must be found to gain popular support for winding-back of constitutional protections for individual freedom.

The result of this will be unfreedom.  

Read a bit about the new SK leader tonight. While its hard to see him being able to restrain KJU, his desire to meet everyone will dilute the Trump effect. China happy, US unhappy, NK maybe just maybe seeing a positive in keeping 100% control, and easing of tensions. Essentially an evening out of power from the brokers in that problem.  

tdgeek:

 

Read a bit about the new SK leader tonight. While its hard to see him being able to restrain KJU, his desire to meet everyone will dilute the Trump effect. China happy, US unhappy, NK maybe just maybe seeing a positive in keeping 100% control, and easing of tensions. Essentially an evening out of power from the brokers in that problem.  

 

One of his first problems is the political ramifications of getting THAAD out of South Korea.

This is why Trump's administration - aware that their interference in the South Korean elections by playing up the North Korean threat - made sure that THAAD was operational ahead of schedule - before the election.

Trump also made a comment (later retracted) that South Korea would be paying for the missile defense system that they don't want.  Typical Trump blabber-mouth, then the GOP response forcing him to retract, as the geopolitical agenda is to keep South Korea is an ally.  The US administration will now work to sabotage any negotiation by Moon Jae-in with DPRK, as any peaceful settlement dilutes the need for US presence in the region.

If that seems overly cynical - post WW2 history of US foreign relations suggests otherwise.

Fred99:

 

tdgeek:

 

Read a bit about the new SK leader tonight. While its hard to see him being able to restrain KJU, his desire to meet everyone will dilute the Trump effect. China happy, US unhappy, NK maybe just maybe seeing a positive in keeping 100% control, and easing of tensions. Essentially an evening out of power from the brokers in that problem.  

 

 

One of his first problems is the political ramifications of getting THAAD out of South Korea.

 

This is why Trump's administration - aware that their interference in the South Korean elections by playing up the North Korean threat - made sure that THAAD was operational ahead of schedule - before the election.

 

Trump also made a comment (later retracted) that South Korea would be paying for the missile defense system that they don't want.  Typical Trump blabber-mouth, then the GOP response forcing him to retract, as the geopolitical agenda is to keep South Korea is an ally.  The US administration will now work to sabotage any negotiation by Moon Jae-in with DPRK, as any peaceful settlement dilutes the need for US presence in the region.

 

If that seems overly cynical - post WW2 history of US foreign relations suggests otherwise.

 

Cynical? yes, but I agree. I also know a bit about Asian culture, I can see them sticking together if they can. A USA that isn't as happy with them, including Japan, is worth less than a calmer KJU

gzt:
Well let's hope none of the institutions burn down. Or any other type of events that could give him and his men free reign..

I think it's wrong to look for a Reichstag fire. In hindsight, that is seen as a significant milestone. At the time, it wasn't (or at least wasn't treated as seriously as we now view it); otherwise, it would have been handled differently. And the powergrabbers will  have learnt from it as well.

Just as in pre-1938 Germany, there is an increasing concentration of power on a number of pretexts. This has been going on for decades already. The "War On Drugs", "War on Terror", Homeland Security, etc has significantly impacted people's freedom.

Kim Jung-Un is a good example. South Korea now "needs" missiles (and no doubt other expensive weapons systems) to defend themselves against a North Korea rarked up by Trump. Ideally, South Korea will pay for the weapons, becoming poorer in the process, making them economically dependent on the US. Worst case, if the USA pays for the missiles, it's still good profits for the likes of Lockheed, Boeing, Rockwell, etc.

gzt: Comey's flip flopping seemed like the behaviour of a man being blackmailed by both sides simultaneously. Weird. Comey fired, weirder.

His remarks about Clinton so close to the election were certainly a contributor to her loss, so obviously not a democrat crony. Was investigating Trumps campaign link with Russia, so not a Republican crony.

While he certainly made some bad decisions, to me it just seems like he was a politically neutral FBI chief who would investigate either party if he thought it was warranted . For all his faults, he was infinitely preferable to whatever Trump yes-man inevitably replaces him.

frankv:

 

gzt:
Well let's hope none of the institutions burn down. Or any other type of events that could give him and his men free reign..

 

I think it's wrong to look for a Reichstag fire. In hindsight, that is seen as a significant milestone. At the time, it wasn't (or at least wasn't treated as seriously as we now view it); otherwise, it would have been handled differently. And the powergrabbers will  have learnt from it as well.

 

Just as in pre-1938 Germany, there is an increasing concentration of power on a number of pretexts. This has been going on for decades already. The "War On Drugs", "War on Terror", Homeland Security, etc has significantly impacted people's freedom.

 

Kim Jung-Un is a good example. South Korea now "needs" missiles (and no doubt other expensive weapons systems) to defend themselves against a North Korea rarked up by Trump. Ideally, South Korea will pay for the weapons, becoming poorer in the process, making them economically dependent on the US. Worst case, if the USA pays for the missiles, it's still good profits for the likes of Lockheed, Boeing, Rockwell, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

An institution is already on fire and at risk of collapse, it's the institution of Democracy

MikeB4:

 

 

 

An institution is already on fire and at risk of collapse, it's the institution of Democracy

 

Clap. Clap.

tdgeek:

 

Fred99:

 

tdgeek:

 

Read a bit about the new SK leader tonight. While its hard to see him being able to restrain KJU, his desire to meet everyone will dilute the Trump effect. China happy, US unhappy, NK maybe just maybe seeing a positive in keeping 100% control, and easing of tensions. Essentially an evening out of power from the brokers in that problem.  

 

 

One of his first problems is the political ramifications of getting THAAD out of South Korea.

 

This is why Trump's administration - aware that their interference in the South Korean elections by playing up the North Korean threat - made sure that THAAD was operational ahead of schedule - before the election.

 

Trump also made a comment (later retracted) that South Korea would be paying for the missile defense system that they don't want.  Typical Trump blabber-mouth, then the GOP response forcing him to retract, as the geopolitical agenda is to keep South Korea is an ally.  The US administration will now work to sabotage any negotiation by Moon Jae-in with DPRK, as any peaceful settlement dilutes the need for US presence in the region.

 

If that seems overly cynical - post WW2 history of US foreign relations suggests otherwise.

 

 

Cynical? yes, but I agree. I also know a bit about Asian culture, I can see them sticking together if they can. A USA that isn't as happy with them, including Japan, is worth less than a calmer KJU

 

It is probably time for the players to back off and start mediation facilitated by a neutral , not the UN but maybe Sweden or Switzerland. 

Just when you were sure it couldn't get any worse...

Mooted - apparently by The Whiter House - FBI directorship to either Rudy Giuliani or Chris Christie.

Rudy says it definitely won't be him - which would seem to make him a front runner.

Christie will be relieved - he won't have to worry about freighting his specially built office chair to Washington.

geekIT:

 

Just when you were sure it couldn't get any worse...

 

Mooted - apparently by The Whiter House - FBI directorship to either Rudy Giuliani or Chris Christie.

 

Rudy says it definitely won't be him - which would seem to make him a front runner.

 

Christie will be relieved - he won't have to worry about freighting his specially built office chair to Washington. 

 

Christie is pretty well tainted with the George Washington Bridge closure back in 2013 and the cover up..