THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY

[BlueTiki]

Flynn was flawed and I'm glad Trump fired him.

I blame Cummings and Pelosi for getting me on this tangent of leaks and the lack of detail.

At their press conference, Cummings discounted Trump's outrage and determination in finding those leaking information. I took that as strictly partisan as I remembered that early on in the Obama administration, he aggressively pursued "leakers" to the press.

You'll have to trust my recollection as something I read in the NYT years ago (yes, I'm still a subscriber).

I believed Obama was justified in pursuing those who leaked info and jeopardized US interests. Still do.

Additionally, I referenced (in Mock) the fact that the US was taking Australia's boat people, weeks before Trump's phone call.

I had no problem with the release of this Obama arrangement being made public (as it wasn't a state secret . . . although never it received major network coverage until "leaked").

I didn't think the alleged emotional tone between the PM and Trump was appropriate for public consumption.

I perceived this leak as partisan to create discord between world leaders.

[HairOfTheDog]

Thanks Tiki -- I understand your perception.

I don't perceive it the same way and tend to believe that since President Trump didn't act on the warning that Flynn had compromised himself, Pence and possibly others......someone leaked the info to help push Flynn out the door because he was a risk to our national security.

Since neither of us knows who leaked or why, we're back to agreeing to disagree.

[BlueTiki]

I don't perceive it the same way and tend to believe that since President Trump didn't act on the warning that Flynn had compromised himself, Pence and possibly others......someone leaked the info to help push Flynn out the door because he was a risk to our national security.

Great point.

[Carsman]

And so it begins, can't get no respect, just like Rodney D. !

[Carsman]

First Lady is not that happy.

It has been reported that first lady Melania Trump is struggling with the realities of her new role and the scrutiny that comes with it, insiders reveal.

“This life wasn't her dream. It was Donald’s,” Trump family friend and stylist Phillip Bloch said. “Truthfully, it’s a lot to cope with.

It was said, she is happiest in her Mar-a-Lago Mansion.
(Who wouldn't be it gorgeous!)

[Duchess]

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Sweden this morning.

[aussiefriend]

And it was preventable that's the tragedy.

[Maggot]

Well, they did accept over 190,000 Muslim refugees. See, this is why Trump should get the Nobel peace prize for winning the election. After dodging sniper fire in Bosnia Clinton should have received the silver star for bravery also. It's amazing I tell ya amazing.

[Duchess]

See, this is why Trump should get the Nobel peace prize for winning the election.

For being such a proficient liar?

Most of us learn as children that there is no defense in saying "he did it first!"

[Maggot]

I thought the new thing was become president get a peace prize. Waaaa

[Duchess]

I thought the new thing was become president get a peace prize. Waaaa

Ah, I see. I didn't really pay attention to politics then so I just went to read about it. Apparently it was given to Obama for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." I don't see trump getting one for THAT.

[aussiefriend]

I think your leader has made his point about 'fake news' even if it was accidentally.

[Maggot]

I thought the new thing was become president get a peace prize. Waaaa

Ah, I see. I didn't really pay attention to politics then so I just went to read about it. Apparently it was given to Obama for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." I don't see trump getting one for THAT.

They gave Obama the prize so he would follow through with his campaign promises not for anything he really did at the time. That sentiment didn't last long though. It made the peace prize cheap and buy-able. In my opinion.

[Duchess]

Had I been paying attention to politics through the years I doubt I would be feeling as shocked as I am on an almost daily basis.

[HairOfTheDog]

Had I been paying attention to politics through the years I doubt I would be feeling as shocked as I am on an almost daily basis.

It's shocking, or at least eyebrow-raising, even for many who've been in government for decades.

Presidents always resent unfavorable press, hate administration leaks, and want to do things their way and make their marks. Those things, in themselves, aren't unusual or shocking to those who've followed or engaged in politics for some time.

What is shocking even to those who've followed and been engaged in politics for years, are Trump's words and actions when in comes to things like declaring war on the press for supposedly engaging in fake news while he attempts to pass fiction as real news, routinely disparaging the judiciary, appointing people with no related experience into high-powered advisory roles based on personal connections/loyalty, and irresponsibly pushing for illegal international actions like stealing the natural resources of allies and killing the families of suspected terrorists. Those are valid substantial concerns, in my opinion.

One thing I'm glad not to see, but I know some on the left are pissed at Democratic leaders for not doing, is playing tit for tat -- for example, not bitching non-stop like some on the extreme right did about Obama's occasional golf games, the Secret Service expense necessary when the Obama's vacationed, etc... Trump's desire to vacation in Florida and play golf there every weekend, Melania's desire to split her time between NYC and DC, the governmental resources required for the Trump adult children to travel and carry on their father's businesses internationally, etc..........far exceeds the taxpayer cost and resource demands of the Obamas and even George W. The hypocrisy of those on the now-silent right who slammed the Obamas non-stop about golf and Secret Service travel demands is very amusing though.

[HairOfTheDog]

I thought the new thing was become president get a peace prize. Waaaa

Ah, I see. I didn't really pay attention to politics then so I just went to read about it. Apparently it was given to Obama for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." I don't see trump getting one for THAT.

They gave Obama the prize so he would follow through with his campaign promises not for anything he really did at the time. That sentiment didn't last long though. It made the peace prize cheap and buy-able. In my opinion.

I never understood why President Obama was awarded that Nobel Prize either. Obama himself says he does not understand why he was awarded it.

[Duchess]

The hypocrisy of those on the now-silent right who slammed the Obamas non-stop about golf and Secret Service travel demands is very amusing though.

I've seen more hypocrisy than I've heard lies coming out of trump's butthole mouth, and that's a lot!

I dislike trump a great deal but there are 3 I dislike even more and Jason Chaffetz tops the list. Without a doubt the most hypocritical fuck I've ever seen in action with Mitch and Paul running neck and neck for second place. They all disgust me. I'd like to see them all get their comeuppance.

[HairOfTheDog]

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Sweden this morning.

Trump and company really need to stop the fear-mongering bullshit in order to support Trump's agenda.

The murder rate is not the highest in 47 years as Trump falsely claimed publicly; not by a very long shot. There was no Bowling Green Kentucky Massacre by Iraqi terrorists, as Kellyanne Conway thrice falsely claimed to media. There was no Atlanta terrorist attack, as Sean Spicer twice told the public. And Trump's claim that something terrible happened in Sweden last night due to their immigrant in-flow is also fiction (which he's now blaming on a FOX news report he recently saw). Ignorant and easily refutable lies which are becoming global punchlines.

On a more positive note.........while ousted NSA Adviser Michael Flynn and other members of the Trump campaign are being investigated by multiple Congressional committees in regards to possible Russian collusion, President Trump secured a replacement for Flynn.

From what little I know about him, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster is a straight-shooter with a lot of experience and he's well-respected. He's on active duty, so he reportedly could not refuse the appointment after the top two replacement candidates withdrew themselves from consideration. McMaster doesn't do drama, nor conspiracy theories, nor baseless inflammatory rhetoric -- much better for the country than Flynn, in my opinion.

[HairOfTheDog]

Also, a new immigration ban Executive Order is expected to be rolled out this week.

Green-card holders, immigrants and refugees who aid the U.S. government, and some other categories of refugees are expected to be exempted this time. Also, the preference for religious minorities (typically Christians) is said to have been deleted in the revised version.

Every member of the Congress and administration that I've seen interviewed has admitted that the composition and execution of the original EO was sloppy, despite Trump's claims to the contrary.

If there has to be a ban, which is within the President's authority if done legally, it's good to see that members of the administration have apparently done due diligence to make the new one constitutional, more rational, and more efficient.

[Midwest Spy]

I don't remember if I've stated this before here, and if I have I apologize for the redundancy.

When it comes to handling the cases of those here illegally I'd like to see our Govt give them
an opportunity to gain legal status as long as they don't have a criminal record.

I am NOT in favor of uprooting families or law abiding people, as long as they declare themselves and go through the steps of gaining citizenship at some point.