THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY

[Rootilda]

Thanks HotD.

BM, are you fucking kidding me? My own mother told me I can't sing worth a shit and I can carry a tune a whole lot better than that rancid pig fart.

[Maggot]

  Thats funny!

[HairOfTheDog]

General Mattis did not retire, as Trump claimed yesterday via Twitter. He resigned as Trump's Secretary of Defense.

General Mattis's resignation letter is very well-written and direct, without any insincere statements of gratitude towards Trump.  

Mattis instead expressed gratitude for being able to represent the men and women in uniform and the nation.

Mattis resigned his appointment as Secretary of Defense, effective end of February, because he cannot continue to support Trump's poor treatment of U.S. allies and puzzling deference to authoritarians who do not share the U.S.'s values, which he appears to consider a threat to our national security. That's my interpretation of his resignation letter.

I suspect that Trump's posting videos of dead soldiers who fought in Syria and claiming that he had their blessings to suddenly pull troops from the country was of great offense to Mattis and others in military leadership.  Mattis didn't say as much in his letter, it's just my suspicion (maybe because I found Trump's justification tactic to be cheap exploitation and disrespectful to our troops).

Anyway, I really hate to see General Mattis go; a sentiment that seems to be shared by many, not including Trump and National Security Adviser John Bolton .

[HairOfTheDog]

Over the course of 40 years as a military leader, Mattis has earned the respect of Republicans, Democrats, troops, allies, and foes - according to public responses issued after he released his resignation letter yesterday.

James Mattis's Resignation Letter

December 20, 2018

Dear Mr. President:
I have been privileged to serve as our country’s 26^th Secretary of Defense which has allowed me to serve alongside our men and women of the Department in defense of our citizens and our ideals.

I am proud of the progress that has been made over the past two years on some of the key goals articulated in our National Defense Strategy: putting the Department on a more sound budgetary footing, improving readiness and lethality in our forces, and reforming the Department’s business practices for greater performance. Our troops continue to provide the capabilities needed to prevail in conflict and sustain strong U.S. global influence.

One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships. While the US remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies. Like you, I have said from the beginning that the armed forces of the United States should not be the policeman of the world. Instead, we must use all tools of American power to provide for the common defense, including providing effective leadership to our alliances. NATO’s 29 democracies demonstrated that strength in their commitment to fighting alongside us following the 9-11 attack on America. The Defeat-ISIS coalition of 74 nations is further proof.

(continued)

[HairOfTheDog]

Similarly, I believe we must be resolute and unambiguous in our approach to those countries whose strategic interests are increasingly in tension with ours. It is clear that China and Russia, for example, want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model – gaining veto authority over other nations’ economic, diplomatic, and security decisions – to promote their own interests at the expense of their neighbors, America and our allies. That is why we must use all the tools of American power to provide for the common defense. My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades of immersion in these issues. We must do everything possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity and values, and we are strengthened in this effort by the solidarity of our alliances.

Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position. The end date for my tenure is February 28, 2019, a date that should allow sufficient time for a successor to be nominated and confirmed as well as to make sure the Department’s interests are properly articulated and protected at upcoming events to include Congressional posture hearings and the NATO Defense Ministerial meeting in February. Further, that a full transition to a new Secretary of Defense occurs well in advance of the transition of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in September in order to ensure stability within the Department.

I pledge my full effort to a smooth transition that ensures the needs and interests of the 2.15 million Service Members and 732,079 DoD civilians receive undistracted attention of the Department at all times so that they can fulfill their critical, round-the-clock mission to protect the American people.

I very much appreciate this opportunity to serve the nation and our men and women in uniform.

James Mattis

[Fry Guy]

It is no surprise of course to anyone with a brain.

Trump is is interested in America and Americans and sees no percentage in fighting other countries wars for other countries reasons , does not want Americans to die for such wars, spend billions of dollars each year for the the joy of a perpetual war.

Mattis is a warrior chief. War and military is what he knows and does very well. Mattis knows that there will always be a war and/or confluicts. and that these fights will be a perpetual thing by which he can strategise, plan and try to win battles. There will always be an Anti-American Authoritarian. There will always be enemies. Sometimes the reasons for war can be a bit murky and sometimes who is an ally or not can be a bit murky but none of this is overly important because the right side is the US and its sovereignty and his duty is to win for America. Warring shows American strength and resolve and toughness. It keeps America strong and its enemies (whoever they happen to be) that they are powerful.

So of course Trump will want to withdraw and of course Mattis will not want that.

Both have points.

Maybe America ought not have gone in BUT they are there now and they should stay forever if necessary or until the enemy is defeated because pulling out shows weakness and a failure to complete their mission (whatever anyone imagines that is) and does not support their allies.

OR

Maybe being in a perpetual 1984 Orwellian perpetual war is mindless and stupid and never allows for anything except more and more violence for no net gain. The countries cannot recover and rebuild and just generations after generation are growing up knowing that they are under seige and have been all their lives and their parents lives and grandparents lives.

A plus is MAYBE all those "Syrians" saying they are fleeing war, will no longer have a war to flee? Maybe.

[Duchess]

Trump is is interested in America

His only interest lies in how he can enrich himself at the expense of Americans. He's corrupt and we're going to run him out of town on a rail.

[Fry Guy]

Trump is is interested in America

His only interest lies in how he can enrich himself at the expense of Americans. He's corrupt and we're going to run him out of town on a rail.

How much is the annual income he makes from being President? Has his net worth increased or decreased?

It is not a rational position that you hold.

"We'really gonna run him out on a rail? Who is "we" and what involvement are you in this collective "we"?

Are you taking ALL your talking points from Progressive media like CNN/MSNBC/ABC?

[Duchess]

Troll

[Fry Guy]

Troll

No, at the moment you are either being deliberately disingenuous or deliberately ignorant or both.
It is not clear to me which of this. However, it is one of these.
It is not clever, nor is it cute, nor is it moral. It sure as Hell is not honest.
I also get the whole "I hate Trump and everything about him" Get it, no issue. But that does not make ME a troll pointing out the times when you stray outside the lines of that "I hate Trump" and go to stating things that are bullshit and you know this.

[BigMark]

Yeah! What the troll said!

[Maggot]

He's just old and wants to go fishing I would think that Pelosi and Ruth Bader would be getting sick of the entire thing but it's probably not a very strenuous job. Go to Washington every so often then hang around the house feeding cats, besides they don't fish so it gives them something to do instead of playing bridge. If it was me I would be outta there at 75 tops. It's not worth it. A person only has one life. But like i said it's an easy job. 

[HairOfTheDog]

That would make more sense if Trump actually liked fishing, but he doesn't Mags. I don't think his words/actions can be written off as him just being too old for what you deem an easy job.

[HairOfTheDog]

Troll

How dare you!  

How can you even think that about FryGuy just because he:  

--Whines and calls anyone who mocks/criticizes Trump childish names (which is ironically also largely what Trump is being criticized for)..............in the 'TRUMP PRESIDENCY' thread, no less.    

--Questions the honesty and intelligence and morality of informed members who express political views which don't align with his because he doesn't like their style..............whilst frequently citing baseless conspiracy theories as fact to back his rhetoric and ironically insisting that people who don't share his views are too 'emotional'.  

--Accuses people of thinking they're more intelligent than others.....................despite the fact that he's the only member here who posts lessons on how to think and presumes to tell others what they shouldn't say.  I picture him wagging his finger and shaking his head when I read that nagging bullshit.

Yeah.......FryGuy could be a troll.  But, that makes too much sense to explain the intensity of his nonsense, in my opinion.

[HairOfTheDog]

Personally, I think it's more likely that he's truly just a strange, pompous, and hypocritical "old man who amuses himself by saying horrible things on the internet"; a dude who tries way too hard to come across as a devil's advocate or provocateur, but fails miserably with all but the couple who share his blind worship of the U.S. President and agree with him politically.

NOW, you don't REALLY think he's a troll anymore, do you Duchess?  No.  Because that would be retarded, right? Right.<--a little impression there.  

Anyway, I like reading most everyone's posts in regards to the TRUMP PRESIDENCY, regardless as to whether I agree or disagree with the comments.  That's precisely what this thread is for, of course.

[Fry Guy]

Well, well, there was an awful lot of bullshit to unpack here, Snowflake, though I am impressed you did not fallback to you usual default mode of victim and of being oppressed by me. No doubt you will whine after I critique YOUR dipping your oar into this disagreement with Duchess, that my response to you is me being creepy and obsessive.

How dare you!  

How can you even think that about FryGuy just because he:  

--Whines and calls anyone who mocks/criticizes Trump childish names (which is ironically also largely what Trump is being criticized for)..............in the 'TRUMP PRESIDENCY' thread, no less.    

Whines or argues? When does one become the other? What "childish names" have I called anyone? No, I am not saying I have not said anyone I see enagaged in idiotic behaviour an idiot, anyone engaged in immoral reasoning immoral or anyone being silly or stupid, silly or stupid, but this is neither childish nor childish names. In EXACTLY the same way that I can disagree with Duchess calling me a troll but I do not think her labeling me as such is her being childish, nor her description of me being a troll as being childish. It is what she thinks. It is just not true that I am being a troll. So you DON'T have an issue with anyone here disagreeing, or describing those holding differing opinions in unflattering terms and YOU and Duchess, to whom you are defending, do this.

Hell LOOK AT MY SIGNATURE. Who said that? Did you say EXACTLY that? Was THAT childish?

You are a little bit of a hypocrite deep down aren't you?

--Questions the honesty and intelligence and morality of informed members who express political views which don't align with his because he doesn't like their style..............whilst frequently citing baseless conspiracy theories as fact to back his rhetoric and ironically insisting that people who don't share his views are too 'emotional'.  

Well unlike you who position those you do not agree with as child molestation supporter, rape apologists and creepy obsessive stalkers, right? Is there really not introspection? Are you really riding the morality high horse so hard that you cannot see you are probably of everyone here the least well positioned to try this? I mean plenty here will fuck around a bit and are not PC but the only one who comes close to where you have gone in amoral posting is me.

Yet you are playing a moral champ here. Good luck with that.

--Accuses people of thinking they're more intelligent than others.....................despite the fact that he's the only member here who posts lessons on how to think and presumes to tell others what they shouldn't say.  I picture him wagging his finger and shaking his head when I read that nagging bullshit.

Careful where you go with this presuming bullshit. You know fuck all about me and it is a dangerous road to start imagining me and what I think or feel. First it is imagining me finger wagging and next you will be like Rootilda and imagining be naked and with a boner. Slippery Slope.

Yeah.......FryGuy could be a troll.  But, that makes too much sense to explain the intensity of his nonsense, in my opinion.

I do not think you are really in much position to judge nonsense. No Bono fides.

Personally, I think it's more likely that he's truly just a strange, pompous, and hypocritical "old man who amuses himself by saying horrible things on the internet"; a dude who tries way too hard to come across as a devil's advocate or provocateur, but fails miserably with all but the couple who share his blind worship of the U.S. President and agree with him politically.

Actually could it be possible......now think over this very hard.......I post what I want when I want and as to how I feel at the time and on the subject titles that interest me in this forum. I know this is probably a something hard for you to imagine. I MUST be a troll or have some overriding agenda, or I must be wanting a specific reaction or be driven in one specific direction. None of that is the least bit true. I will be the first to admit I AM reactive. I would imagine most posters are. Not all.

Some will stew on every post and take some time working out what they will say and how they will say it. I don't. I share what I think and with very little filter. I post as to how I feel. If I agree I will normally agree and say why I agree. If I don't agree I will say why I don't agree. If I think someone is being silly, disingenuous, crazy, dishonest or outrageous, I have no issue telling them. Being that I am on a Mock Forum, I have no issue making fun of them either.

You seem to read an awful lot into shit.

NOW, you don't REALLY think he's a troll anymore, do you Duchess?  No.  Because that would be retarded, right? Right.<--a little impression there.  

I don't think Duchess is retarded for thinking so (no idea who you are impersonating) but I do think she is misreading intention and behaviour. Would make her incorrect but not dishonest.

Anyway, I like reading most everyone's posts in regards to the TRUMP PRESIDENCY, regardless as to whether I agree or disagree with the comments.  That's precisely what this thread is for, of course.

Don't really give a fuck what you like.   That said, If you are anyone were to say "I do not like Trump because he is someone that I believe is unsuited temperamentally to be President, I think he is too crass, I do not think he is articulate and whatever, I really have no issue with that.
Hell, If you say "He is wrong to pull troops out of Syria", I will disagree. I do not think he should be in Syria and exposing more troops to harm for no real return. Now someone could make a number of good counter points such as "America has gone in and kicked a hornet's nest and no they ought to manage the consequences" or "What about the poor Kurds?" or "This will likely destabilise the region and leave a vacuum"
These are some of the positions that are not that I agree with BUT are NOT dishonest or immoral or disingenuous and would support the position I disagree with.

So it simply would not be true for anyone to infer that just because I disagree with a position I NECESSARILY think that the person presenting a counter-point is being dishonest or immoral.......would it?

I have no issue if someone does not like Trump. There is a lot to dislike or at least be uneasy with. He is very different to most other Presidents and has a completely different style. I get it. BUT when people make up shit to support a dishonest premise just to virtue signal their dislike of him, I call it out whenever I see it.

You say I do the same in reverse, maybe I do and maybe I don't (I do not believe that I did) Call me on it. I don't mind.

Your above quotes do look a little trollish. Why is that?

[BigMark]

A manic episode is not a disorder in and of itself, but rather is diagnosed as a part of a condition called bipolar disorder. A manic episode is a mood state characterized by period of at least one week where an elevated, expansive, or unusually irritable mood exists.

[Fry Guy]

A manic episode is not a disorder in and of itself, but rather is diagnosed as a part of a condition called bipolar disorder. A manic episode is a mood state characterized by period of at least one week where an elevated, expansive, or unusually irritable mood exists.

That is certainly true. For a really interesting psychological disorder, look up catatonic schizophrenia. I watched a Youtube video on that and this poor guy. Quite sad really.

[Maggot]

That would make more sense if Trump actually liked fishing, but he doesn't Mags.  I don't think his words/actions can be written off as him just being too old for what you deem an easy job.

I was talking about the retiring general. 

[HairOfTheDog]

That certainly wasn't a cute, clever, or moral diatribe...............but, that's okay.  

Tis the season of giving and to be jolly and all that jazz.

So, three shiny gold stars are hereby awarded for effort.  



And................back to the Trump Presidency.

The U.S. is now experiencing its third government shutdown of the year.  Pitiful.  No stars for President Trump.

(continued)