Mega-Thread: Trump Focused Discussion

[Breccia]

Ted Cruz says increased background checks will hand victory to the Democrats.

If Republicans abandon the Second Amendment and demoralize millions of Americans who care deeply about Second Amendment rights, that could go a long way to electing a President Elizabeth Warren.

We’re going to see record-shattering Democratic turnout. The only element missing to ensure Democratic victory is demoralizing conservatives so they stay home. I hope we don’t do that

Aww, don't have background checks! It might make Republicans sad. We would have sad Republicans. Sad.

The article goes on to say that the current bill in discussion -- one that will not disarm a single person, no matter what the NRA says -- would require background checks for gun shows and online sales, but not individuals who are not licensed dealers.

A few things:

1) I forsee a lot of gun owners suddenly losing their licenses and becoming good personal friends with people for a small fee.

2) I've seen a lot of gun people using the lame-ass limp-dick argument "criminals don't obey laws anyhow!" We've discussed to death why that argument fails in the face of "then why have laws at all?" But that's already settled. This, however, seems intentionally aimed at helping criminals do business. Criminals are not licensed dealers. This proposal will make it more attractive to deal with an illegal gun vendor, a criminal.

3) The NRA and some Republicans are calling this a slippery slope. As a reminder, not too long ago Texas and federal authorities raided the guy who sold the El Paso shooter his gun illegally. Nobody called that "slippery slope". I fail to see how requiring background checks, for a purchase from a licensed vendor at a gun show, is a "slippery slope". They would need a background check to buy the gun at their store.

4) There seems to be a line of defense, seen here, along the lines of "It wouldn't stop a crazy person from getting an illegal gun and doing a mass shooting". Besides the obvious ("20MPH school zone speed limits won't stop a crazy person from doing 120MPH and running over several kids") there are other kinds of shootings. They happen all the time. Like, dozens per day.

5) And, yes, it looks like the GOP (especially the Senate) is ready to drag the currently existing bill so far down in scope, that the Democrats would consider it completely pointless.

Now, maybe Cruz is right that Trump signing a gun control bill that actually had an effect would make Republicans sad. I believe there's a saying for this? Something that rhymes with "Duck your feelings"? Maybe if you did more than watch and sigh the economy slowly wilt like an obese orange man's penis, you might still win some elections.

[Edge-]

https://qz.com/1708965/border-patrol...p-golf-resort/

Oh, just some more casual corruption and grifting. CBP gala being held at a Trump property, because everyone must pledge fealty to Trump and tithe appropriately.

[Thekri]

https://qz.com/1708965/border-patrol...p-golf-resort/

Oh, just some more casual corruption and grifting. CBP gala being held at a Trump property, because everyone must pledge fealty to Trump and tithe appropriately.

It is revolting, but it doesn't seem like any government funds are involved, so this probably isn't illegal. It isn't ethical of course, but it isn't illegal. Still, these retirement galas are pretty common, and they are often held in similarly ritzy venues. So assuming the guests don't mind all the roaches in Trump properties, this checks out from a logistical standpoint.

Now the optics are horrible, especially when this is well publicized and advertised, and this is exactly the sort of this that any government ethics manager would tell you to avoid like the plague. But ultimately there is nothing that says you can't do it any way.

[Breccia]

Oh, just some more casual corruption and grifting. CBP gala being held at a Trump property, because everyone must pledge fealty to Trump and tithe appropriately.

I get that "lol private citizens" is what makes this technically not corruption. But it's horrible ethics. Kinda wonder who signs up to be caterers at a CBP party.

[Edge-]

https://reason.com/2019/09/13/confid...y-confinement/

An Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center kept an "alarming" number of mentally ill immigrant detainees in solitary confinement for "shockingly" long times, according to a previously confidential Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memo obtained by the Project on Government Oversight. One detainee was held in solitary for 904 days.

A 2017 DHS review of an ICE detention center in Adelanto, California, which is operated under a contract by the company GEO Group, found that the detention center's use of prolonged solitary confinement on mentally ill detainees was "both inhumane and in violation of" ICE policy.

Mind you, this isn't all Trump's fault. Some of these gross violations predate Trump and happened under Obama.

End ICE.

- - - Updated - - -

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/militar...risks-n1054091

President Donald Trump's plan to pay for his proposed border wall by taking funds from more than four dozen Air Force military construction projects poses various national security risks for the U.S. armed forces, according to a report compiled by the U.S. Air Force.

The report, obtained by NBC News, details the importance of each of the 51 military projects chosen by the Trump administration to lose their funding, including construction of a new gate to address a growing security concern at an overseas U.S. base, projects to build facilities to safely store more than $1 billion in munitions overseas, and even replacing a boiler whose failure is "imminent" and could cause the evacuation of an entire base in Alaska.

President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in February in an effort to circumvent Congress and fund the wall he had promised to build along the U.S. border with Mexico, citing "an invasion of our country with drugs, with human traffickers, will all types of criminals and gangs."

TLDR: Trump is putting US military bases, assets, and personnel in jeopardy for his monument to racism.

[Zan15]

https://reason.com/2019/09/13/confid...y-confinement/



Mind you, this isn't all Trump's fault. Some of these gross violations predate Trump and happened under Obama.

End ICE.


TLDR: Trump is putting US military bases, assets, and personnel in jeopardy for his monument to racism.

why does trump hate the military so much???

Funny how I have never heard that statement on fox or seen it said here by republicans after 8 years of it being used daily for less......

[Edge-]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-a...or-11568403645

Trump, Awaiting Egyptian Counterpart at Summit, Called Out for ‘My Favorite Dictator’

Inside a room of the ornately decorated Hotel du Palais during last month’s Group of Seven summit in Biarritz, France, President Trump awaited a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi.

Mr. Trump looked over a gathering of American and Egyptian officials and called out in a loud voice: “Where’s my favorite dictator?” Several people who were in the room at the time said they heard the question.

Paywalled, but I think it speaks for itself.

[Nurasu]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-a...or-11568403645



Paywalled, but I think it speaks for itself.

He was trying to find a mirror to check his hair.

[Bodakane]

Ted Cruz says increased background checks will hand victory to the Democrats.



Aww, don't have background checks! It might make Republicans sad. We would have sad Republicans. Sad.

The article goes on to say that the current bill in discussion -- one that will not disarm a single person, no matter what the NRA says -- would require background checks for gun shows and online sales, but not individuals who are not licensed dealers.

A few things:

1) I forsee a lot of gun owners suddenly losing their licenses and becoming good personal friends with people for a small fee.

2) I've seen a lot of gun people using the lame-ass limp-dick argument "criminals don't obey laws anyhow!" We've discussed to death why that argument fails in the face of "then why have laws at all?" But that's already settled. This, however, seems intentionally aimed at helping criminals do business. Criminals are not licensed dealers. This proposal will make it more attractive to deal with an illegal gun vendor, a criminal.

3) The NRA and some Republicans are calling this a slippery slope. As a reminder, not too long ago Texas and federal authorities raided the guy who sold the El Paso shooter his gun illegally. Nobody called that "slippery slope". I fail to see how requiring background checks, for a purchase from a licensed vendor at a gun show, is a "slippery slope". They would need a background check to buy the gun at their store.

4) There seems to be a line of defense, seen here, along the lines of "It wouldn't stop a crazy person from getting an illegal gun and doing a mass shooting". Besides the obvious ("20MPH school zone speed limits won't stop a crazy person from doing 120MPH and running over several kids") there are other kinds of shootings. They happen all the time. Like, dozens per day.

5) And, yes, it looks like the GOP (especially the Senate) is ready to drag the currently existing bill so far down in scope, that the Democrats would consider it completely pointless.

Now, maybe Cruz is right that Trump signing a gun control bill that actually had an effect would make Republicans sad. I believe there's a saying for this? Something that rhymes with "Duck your feelings"? Maybe if you did more than watch and sigh the economy slowly wilt like an obese orange man's penis, you might still win some elections.

How is the NRA paying these assholes to tow their line and make their talking points?

[Shadowferal]

How is the NRA paying these assholes to tow their line and make their talking points?

By letting them know that the money they used to finance their political careers was from foreign countries. (and therefore illegal)
"Vote the way you were paid to or we just might "accidentally" drop a file somewhere that the media can get a hold of."

[Benggaul]

How is the NRA paying these assholes to tow their line and make their talking points?

With Russian money, silly.

[Orbitus]

How is the NRA paying these assholes to tow their line and make their talking points?

It's what happens when you get millions from Russia.

[Stormspark]

How is the NRA paying these assholes to tow their line and make their talking points?

The NRA is run from Moscow, it's a front to launder Russian money. So they have plenty.

[bladeXcrasher]

At least this will be the last we have to deal with Cruz. He is very big on term limits, so he shouldn't be seeking a third term.

[Shadowferal]

Trump booed during military ceremony at Portland soccer game

I'm sure Trump will imagine that differently.

[Edge-]

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/09/13/p...mpression=true

Welp, someone in DHS decided it'd be fun to draw a swastika in the DHS building. I wonder why...

[Thekri]

Trump booed during military ceremony at Portland soccer game

I'm sure Trump will imagine that differently.

That is pretty fucked up. That oath has nothing to do with Trump, it is over 200 years old and the words have never changed. Of course they have the right to boo, but fuck those people for being so damn shallow. This nation is more then Trump, and the office of President is still a thing worthy of respect regardless of its current occupant.

Also this is a very important moment in those young peoples lives, and getting booed during your swearing in ceremony is pretty shitty for them. They aren't at fault for what this administration does.

[Poopymonster]

That is pretty fucked up. That oath has nothing to do with Trump, it is over 200 years old and the words have never changed. Of course they have the right to boo, but fuck those people for being so damn shallow. This nation is more then Trump, and the office of President is still a thing worthy of respect regardless of its current occupant.

Also this is a very important moment in those young peoples lives, and getting booed during your swearing in ceremony is pretty shitty for them. They aren't at fault for what this administration does.

To my knowledge they aren't conscripts, so they voluntarily decided to go into that field of employment. Regardless of how old said oath is, or "the administration" they were pledging an oath to follow his orders. Given his treating of the military like a prop, I can understand them booing him.

Further in the article they only were booing when Dolan was mentioned. They cheered the recruits.

[Thekri]

To my knowledge they aren't conscripts, so they voluntarily decided to go into that field of employment. Regardless of how old said oath is, or "the administration" they were pledging an oath to follow his orders. Given his treating of the military like a prop, I can understand them booing him.

Further in the article they only were booing when Dolan was mentioned. They cheered the recruits.

They swear and oath to the constitution, and place themselves under the authority of the president. The oath does clarify under lawful orders. This isn't any sort of oath to Trump, it is an oath to the office, you don't get to decide to renew it or not under a new President. I was a military officer under Trump as well (Although only for about 3 weeks, as I was leaving when he came in), and nobody renewed the oaths they took under Obama, or Bush, or Clinton. Because the military isn't loyal to people or parties, they are loyal to the nation.

The Presidency is the position of Commander and Chief, but that doesn't mean they have to follow any illegal orders he may give. In fact they are legally obligated not too. Legal orders, yes. But that is the fault of the electorate for electing this piece of shit, not Soldiers for doing their job.

[Redwyrm]

In response to repealing Obama's clean water regulations Trump had this to say...

President Donald Trump on Thursday celebrated his reversal of clean water regulations.

While speaking to Republicans at a retreat in Baltimore, Trump announced: “Earlier today, my administration formally repealed the horrible, dangerous, anti-everything waters of the United States rule.”

“We have the cleanest water, the cleanest air that we’ve ever had in the history of our country, right now,” Trump said.

The president corrected himself after saying that the media “would get me on that one.”

“Let’s say the history of our country over the last 25 years,” he opined. “I would say they probably had cleaner water, cleaner air because there was nobody here. So I have to be very accurate.

Jesus, this man is stupid