Mega-Thread: Trump Focused Discussion

[Breccia]

Anyways, this is a speech that has Benito Cheetolini throwing a hissy fit on twitter.

His last two have been in all caps.

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I thought we established long ago that this person was likely just a bot that was scripted to drop into random threads and post one of a selection of inane, pointless blurbs and then leave.

Time's up.

He now has 24 hours to respond to these allegations, and also, to counter the appearance he's giving of being a hypocrite and a coward.

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So how effective was the Democrat's third night?

This effective:



They did find something else to talk about -- they managed to find a criminal who was rioting in Portland. One. Hannity's comment stands out, as he shrills "radical! radical!" while backing Trump. Add to @Adam Jensen and we see FOX News painted into a corner -- all they had to work with were Trump tweets in all caps, and that "mixed messages" which, I haven't watched but I'd bet, is just "are they centrist or are they progressive?" which just shows that everyone is against Trump.

Line of the evening is obviously

Donald Trump hasn’t grown into the job because he can’t

"Who said that?"

Does it matter?

[pathora44]

Hearing about the DNC hatefest I can't help but think of 1 John 4:16.

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you be forgiven."

The Democrats obviously don't know that Bible verse, or refuse to apply to their lives.

What was that? Something about Democrats and the Bible? Sorry I can't hear you over Trump fucking a pornstar while Melania was pregnant with Barron.

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"Who said that?"

Anyone with a functioning brain, i.e. not his fucking cultist followers.

[Adam Jensen]

"Who said that?"

The last real president, that's who.

[Kaleredar]

Time's up.

He now has 24 hours to respond to these allegations, and also, to counter the appearance he's giving of being a hypocrite and a coward.

Oh come now. You know that the Trump supporters steer clear of this thread. They stopped trying to actually defend Trump months and months and months ago. They're doing what the rest of the republicans are doing... Silently condoning his actions.

The most they can muster is a hit-and-run post every 15-20 pages. If they even actually read the dozens of replies slamming them, they only respond to the ones that have some unrelated angle mentioned they can try and single out and leverage so as to not actually discuss Trump. The more targeted and on-topic a response, the less likely they are to respond to it. That way they can pretend they didn't read it, so they don't have to mentally rectify actually supporting Trump in his constant and daily fuck ups. A case of "see no evil, hear no evil, but a hell of a lot of speaking evil."

[Breccia]

Once again, it's time for Guess the Tweeter! Double header!

"It's Trump."

No.

Goodyear has believed in this community for generations, investing in the power, tenacity and honest people of the heartland, which is more than we can say for this president

and

First, you came to destroy American decency. Next, you came to destroy American institutions. Now you're coming to destroy the American economy and heartland jobs. Luckily you seem to fail at everything you do.

"Whoa! Um...someone in charge, in Ohio, but not Kasich?"

The Mayor of Akron, yes.

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Oh come now. You know that the Trump supporters steer clear of this thread.

Indeed, that's how I get away with saying things like "respond in 24 hours or you admit you're a coward". You might note I'm either batting a thousand, or so close the rest is rounding error.

[Zaydin]

Oh man, Trump is losing his shit on Twitter and it's just hilarious. Kamala Harris and President Obama taking turns to jump on his stomach got under his wafer-thin skin.

[Breccia]

I have an update on all those colleges closing, because their students all caught COVID-19.

Trump said that closing colleges will cost lives.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday blasted universities that have canceled in-person classes amid coronavirus outbreaks, saying the move could ultimately cost lives rather than saving them.

Raising the issue at a White House press briefing, Trump said the virus is akin to the seasonal flu for college students and that students pose a greater safety threat at home with older family members than on college campuses. He cited no evidence to support either contention, and the White House did not respond to a request for information on what Trump based his remarks.

Health experts have said the novel coronavirus appears to be deadlier than the seasonal flu — initial data suggest a far higher mortality — and it is more easily transmitted. Another major difference: There is no vaccine for the novel coronavirus while there is a vaccine for the seasonal flu.

“It’s significantly safer for students to live with other young people than to go home and spread the virus to older Americans,” Trump said.

Okay, before anyone says anything: the young people wouldn't spread the virus by going home, if they had never gone to campus in the first place. This argument isn't "he has a point" it's "he's trying to change the point". He pushed for schools to reopen. A bunch of students and teachers got sick because of this. He saying "they shouldn't go home" is deflection from the policies he directly encouraged backfiring and hurting, possibly killing, the people who followed his advice. Or, were forced to follow his advice by admin, in some cases.

Trump’s comments follow recent suspensions of in-person instruction at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and at the University of Notre Dame. UNC announced Monday that, after a surge in cases during the first week of classes, all undergraduate courses would shift online. A day later, Notre Dame canceled campus classes for two weeks amid a sharp increase in cases.

Those schools’ struggles have prompted some other colleges to backtrack on plans for campus classes. Michigan State University told students Tuesday to stay at home for the fall term, citing rising virus cases and the recent experiences of “other institutions.”

Clusters of cases at UNC, Notre Dame and elsewhere have been tied to off-campus parties, in some cases at fraternity houses. In his comments Wednesday, Trump did not address health risks tied to students’ off-campus behavior.

Trump has said for weeks that schools and colleges must reopen and that they can do so safely. He has threatened to cut funding to schools that don’t reopen, and he threatened to revoke schools’ and colleges’ tax exempt status. The White House says schools are key to the nation’s economic recovery, and Trump has said students need to be in school and on campus to learn.

Trump is stamping his feet and screaming at the top of his lungs "NO NO NO NO NO NO!" because he demanded something poorly planned with high risk failing, but he didn't want it to, and now it's making him look bad. By the way, where's Notre Dame? Where's Pence?

Any non-Trump-supporters, come one come all, you have 24 hours to find what Pence has said about Notre Dame in the last 48 hours. Trump supporters, watch and learn. You're about to see how people who value evidence and facts answer a challenge.

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Trump went on FOX News...sorry, it was the White House...and said the Goodyear workers could find a good job somewhere else.

No, really.

I would be very much in favor if people don't want to buy there. And you know what, they'll able to get a good job. Because we set jobs record over the last quarter. The most jobs ever in the history of our country. You'll be able to get another good job. I think it's disgraceful that did this.

Yep, still pushing that jobs bit. Hey, what's unemployment these days? 10.2% you say? Higher than literally any point in Obama or W's tenure? That's interesting. If these good jobs exist, why didn't someone take them? The unemployment bonus did run out, after all.

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US Postal Service delays force Department of Veterans Affairs to shift prescription delivery methods

Oh, that's right. Trump is withholding medicine from old, sick veterans due to his direct actions.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has been forced to find alternative ways to ship mail-order prescriptions for patients whose medication is delivered by the United States Postal Service, including FedEx and UPS, CNN has learned.

The VA acknowledged the change in an email to a veterans group called Disabled Vets of America after it raised the issue on behalf of patients who had reported significant delays in receiving medication from USPS in recent weeks amid a nationwide slowdown, according to a copy of the correspondence reviewed by CNN.

"The VA has now confirmed to us that the United States Postal Service (USPS), which is responsible for delivering about 90% of all VA mail order prescriptions, has indeed been delayed in delivering these critical medications by an average of almost 25% over the past year, with many locations experiencing much more significant delays," the group's national commander, Stephen Whitehead, said in a statement Monday.

"To help mitigate these postal delays, the VA has been forced to switch to alternative delivery services in a number of areas across the country and is taking other actions to expedite processing and delivery of prescriptions," Whitehead added.

"It is simply unacceptable that America's veterans, particularly those who were injured or made ill in defense of this country, should face the prospect of not receiving necessary medications in a timely manner considering such delays can be the difference between health and sickness, or even worse," Whitehead said.

"But Breccia! Surely they swapped and now the problem is over!"

Interesting theory. Hmm. Tell me, did that Whitehead guy specifically call out delays that have already happened?

"Well, yes..."

So, changing the next delivery doesn't really change that, does it?

"Well, no..."

Right.

I guess when Trump was talking about people being stuck at home killing them, he took steps to directly make that true.

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Trump ends (by executive order) three bilateral agreements with Hong Kong in response to China's crackdown.

"What's wrong with that?"

Nothing, unless you have a Phase One you want to move forward. Then it's picking which of your two campaign promises you want to break.

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Speaking of broken promises, Trump wakes up in a cold sweat realizing Mexico hasn't paid for the Wall yet.

So he pledges to levy a tax on remittances sent by Mexicans back to Mexico when--

"Whoa whoa whoa! Why are you bringing up something from his 2016 campaign?"

Because he said it again Tuesday. He also said that Mexico was 100% paying for the Wall.

"Wait, he said in 2016 he was going to tax them, and now he's saying he's going to tax them, and for four years he did literally nothing on the subject?"

Seems so.

"Why would anyone believe him?"

I dunno, why would anyone huff bleach?

Trump also said he would put a tax on the border crossings, taxing Mexicans directly for crossing.

"Wait, can he do that?"

I don't think so. I think it's possible he could put up a toll, and charge Americans, too.

"So the 100% would be flat-out false, then?"

Yes. Also, if a truck driver has to pay a toll to enter the US with goods purchased by the US, guess who will end up with that bill?

Last year, there were 73 million border crossings. Trump caused the Trump Shutdown, don't forget that was all him, and cost the American people $11 billion dollars, However, after doing that, he moved about $7 billion, mostly from the miliatry and law enforcement.

Which means the toll would have to be $100 dollars.

"Um...don't some people commute for work to--"

Yes.

Trump is a lying failure. If these tolls or taxes were possible and a good idea, and he wanted to do them...why hasn't he? Four years later, nothing on his 2016 pledge. Now this border toll has come up, though he hasn't done anything. Wasn't Trump supposed to be Mr. Only I Can Fix It? Wasn't he the guy that signed the Contract with the American Voter, listing dozens of things he would do Day One/first 100 days? Even his campaign promises are tired now.

So let's have yet another 24-hour challenge for Trump supporters (everyone else has their own, the Pence one). Explain why Trump promnises in 2016 to tax remittances, then never did, and promised it again yesterday, but will actually do it this time. Explain why he didn't actually do it yesterday instead of making the same promise twice. And try to defend that $100 toll, or just as good, find another value based on actual facts and evidence. Don't like my figures? Challenge them. Show your work.

[Nellise]

US Postal Service delays force Department of Veterans Affairs to shift prescription delivery methods

Oh, that's right. Trump is withholding medicine from old, sick veterans due to his direct actions.

Sadly, this is exactly what they want to happen. This will show that a private company can do the USPS's job and that the USPS isn't needed. It's been said before: the Republicans' goal is to break government functions so badly that of course privatized options look better.

[Omega10]

Sadly they let FedEx and UPS tell them that back in the Bush 2 era. It didn't last long, especially once Fedex and UPS realized how costly it was to send to every address. Remember when the USPS was handling FedEx packages? I do, because my company did it. We paid Fedex to deliver it and they then paid USPS to actually do the work. FedEx and UPS now no longer attempt it. Which makes me wonder - are they stupid enough to think that doing it again will be profitable?

My recollection on talks about eliminating the USPS was that it wouldn't hurt urban areas too badly due to economies of scale, but it would SUBSTANTIALLY increase the cost of receiving items in rural areas. The further away from a major city, the larger the increase.

[ati87]

Sadly, this is exactly what they want to happen. This will show that a private company can do the USPS's job and that the USPS isn't needed. It's been said before: the Republicans' goal is to break government functions so badly that of course privatized options look better.

Doing USPS's job isnt that difficult, willing to do it is another question because a great deal of what the USPS does isn't actually profitable yet critical.

[SirBeef]

Sadly, this is exactly what they want to happen. This will show that a private company can do the USPS's job and that the USPS isn't needed. It's been said before: the Republicans' goal is to break government functions so badly that of course privatized options look better.

Except it won't happen because it is not cost efficient. There is a reason why the USPS delivers parcels for them. It's because it will cost to much to regularly deliver to those areas. Not to mention if you want to pay upwards of $7 to deliver a letter of find out they don't cover that area, you'll quickly see how privatizing mail delivery won't work out.

When I delivered for the USPS, over 75% of my daily parcel deliveries were for FedEx, DHL, and UPS. I worked in a suburban area, but it had nothing but dirt roads and pretty spread out. Old farmlands being developed. It wasn't remote or anything.

[Breccia]

Doing USPS's job isnt that difficult, willing to do it is another question because a great deal of what the USPS does isn't actually profitable yet critical.

It should be noted that that bit about USPS pre-paying pensions which FedEx and UPS don't need to do isn't clear-cut, so what you just said is spot on. Simply put, the USPS doesn't turn a profit, but neither does the Coast Guard.

[Themius]

Hey look who got arrested

https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/ap...raising-scheme

Authorities say Trump's ex-political adviser Steve Bannon was arrested in connection with an online fundraising scheme

[arandomuser]

lol steve bannon proves " right wing populism" is a complete fraud,
reminds me of that lbj quote

[draynay]

Apparently its related to border wall fundraising schemes.

[Breccia]

Hey look who got arrested

I see your "Bannon got arrested" and raise you "Judge throws out Trump challenge to Manhattan DA subpoena for tax records"

This just happened, so there aren't a ton of details, but the headline kind of says it all.

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Oh, and in case there was any doubt: Yes, this is the "We Build The Wall" people we've mentioned once or twice.

And yes, that is a FOX News link. It's their #2 story, because #1 literally uses the words "ALL-CAPS Tweetstorm". No, really.

Steve Bannon, a former adviser to President Trump, was among four suspects arrested Thursday and indicted in connection with an online fundraising campaign that allegedly defrauded investors of hundreds of thousands of dollars, the Justice Department announced.

The campaign, "We Build the Wall," was said to have raised over $25 million in all.

"As alleged, the defendants defrauded hundreds of thousands of donors, capitalizing on their interest in funding a border wall to raise millions of dollars, under the false pretense that all of that money would be spent on construction. While repeatedly assuring donors that Brian Kolfage, the founder and public face of We Build the Wall, would not be paid a cent, the defendants secretly schemed to pass hundreds of thousands of dollars to Kolfage, which he used to fund his lavish lifestyle," acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said.

In addition to Kolfage and Bannon, the DOJ identified Andrew Badolato and Timothy Shea as the other suspects arrested and indicted.

This is a developing story; check back for updates. Fox News' Marta Dhanis contributed to this report.

[Paranoid Android]

I see your "Bannon got arrested" and raise you "Judge throws out Trump challenge to Manhattan DA subpoena for tax records"

This just happened, so there aren't a ton of details, but the headline kind of says it all.

They are all grifters. A Den of Thieves and vipers, who will turn on each other just for the money.

Is it this simple when you elect a corrupt mofo, the people around him are corrupt.

[kaid]

It should be noted that that bit about USPS pre-paying pensions which FedEx and UPS don't need to do isn't clear-cut, so what you just said is spot on. Simply put, the USPS doesn't turn a profit, but neither does the Coast Guard.

Hell even if it ran at a small loss that would still put USPS way ahead funding wise to basically any other major govt service. There are things that probably could be done to help it like allow the USPS to do small customer banking but overall there is nothing that requires it to be self funding and a lot of reason to not have that as any kind of needed goal.

[Breccia]

New jobless claims are technically up, meaning the drop last week wasn't necessarily a change in direction.

Meanwhile the total number of people collecting benefits technically went down. However, the amount the first increased and the amount the second decreased are within an NFL stadium of each other.

In other words, no, things are not getting better. At least they're not getting worse. Except for the 28 million people still unemployed who don't have the $600 bonus anymore. It's worse for them.

[ati87]

Hey look who got arrested

https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/ap...raising-scheme

Ah story is just breaking.
Guessing that Bannon's Europe project was a bit more expensive and that every little bit helped.

I always thought that Bannon was the smart guy in the Trump admin but if this is proven true he is just as stupid as everybody else.
I mean come on going for fundraising fraud doesn't seem to hard if you consider that Trump has gotten away with it. Sure Trump's charity got closed down etc. etc. but nobody got arrested.