Donald J. Trump wins Presidency

Guardian morning briefing
Wednesday briefing: Trump runs up against a brick wall

Border barrier is met with budget blockade … free schools condemned as huge waste of money … and row over claims about fat and heart health
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/26/wednesday-briefing-trump-runs-up-against-a-brick-wall

1. The tax business isn't actually a bad idea - variations on this have been adopted elsewhere in the world, fairly successfully.

2. He'll be lynched if he doesn't get on with the damned wall.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-04-25/us-destroyer-has-close-encounter-iranian-vessel-straits-hormuz

US Destroyer Has Close Encounter With Iranian Vessel in Straits of Hormuz

Are Iranian destroyers messing about in the Gulf of Mexico? No? Then removing your destroyers from the Persian Gulf might be a good idea.

I understand that they are there at the behest of the GCC, Bonny.

This sabre-rattling all over the world is terrifying me, Lily - sooner or later, someone, on whichever side, is going to start firing.

I doubt very much if the Iranians have forgotten this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_Air_Flight_655



Iran Air Flight 655 was an Iran Air passenger flight from Tehran to Dubai. On 3 July 1988, the aircraft operating on this route was shot down by the United States Navy guided missile cruiser USS Vincennes under the command of William C. Rogers III. The incident took place in Iranian airspace, over Iran's territorial waters in the Persian Gulf, and on the flight's usual flight path. The aircraft, an Airbus A300 B2-203, was destroyed by SM-2MR surface-to-air missiles fired from Vincennes. All 290 people on board died.[1] The cruiser Vincennes had entered Iranian territorial waters after one of its helicopters drew warning fire from Iranian speedboats operating within Iranian territorial limits.[2][3]

Every single member of the US Navy involved in that should have been thrown out of the service  - if they can't tell a huge civilian airliner from a fighter, then they shouldn't be allowed near anything more lethal than an air rifle.

Instead, Bush1 added insult to injury, giving them damned medals.

If a similar incident occurred now, then there WOULD be a war. And my money's on the Iranians, they are only a few miles from their homes, and know exactly what they're doing and defending.

No one sabotages Donald Trump better than Donald Trump.

Yet another executive order by the US president was blocked by the courts, in part because of his own words. His tweets are a political doomsday device.

Welcome to the age of presidential sabotage. Since assuming office, President Donald J Trump has shown little inclination to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed”, as commanded by the US constitution. Instead, he has openly declared his intention to wreak havoc in key programs.

He has appointed officials known to be sworn enemies of their own agencies. He has gutted protections for students, consumers, women, workers, and the environment. And he has threatened to inflict staggering damage on US insurance markets – unless opponents bend to his will and repeal the Affordable Care Act.

But nowhere has Trump proved more effective at undermining federal programs than his own executive orders. There, wielding his Twitter handle like a doomsday device, Trump has displayed an unparalleled flair for self-sabotage. This will hold true, however, only if courts recognize that Trump’s statements must be taken seriously.    Full report at link.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/apr/26/donald-trump-tweets-political-consequences-executive-orders-blocked

'sigh'

I was, to be honest, really fed up with the 9th Circuit Judge who has blocked that.  He was NOT acting constitutionally and not taking care of the citizens and their money first.  These sanctuary cities are draining the money of the people who are working legally in this country to fund people who are here illegally.  Soros must be laughing......

I think Trump should take this to the Superior court post haste.

I am just an observer, Lily, and don't know all the nuances of it, but it does seem to me that Trump needs to get a grip of all this ASAP. It seems to be sliding out of his control?

The very idea of 'sanctuary cities' is frankly ridiculous, anyway.

bb1 wrote:http://www.breitbart.com/video/2017/04/26/ivanka-trump-opening-border-to-syrian-refugees-has-to-be-part-of-the-discussion-wont-be-enough-by-itself/

During a portion of an interview broadcast on Wednesday’s edition of NBC’s “Today,” Ivanka Trump said that opening the border to Syrian refugees “has to be part of the discussion, but that’s not going to be enough in and of itself.”

Ivanka said, “I think there is a global humanitarian crisis that’s happening, and we have to come together, and we have to solve it, and –.”

She was then asked, “Does that include opening the borders to Syrian refugees in –?”

Ivanka responded, “That has to be part of the discussion, but that’s not going to be enough in and of itself.”

She seems to be more Democratic in nature by the day. I would happily back here if she would commit to paying all expenses involved.  Instead of batting them to the little people.......

bb1 wrote:I am just an observer, Lily, and don't know all the nuances of it, but it does seem to me that Trump needs to get a grip of all this ASAP. It seems to be sliding out of his control?

The very idea of 'sanctuary cities' is frankly ridiculous, anyway.

I must admit that it does seem that way.  The business over Sanctuary Cities is pure politics and game playing from where I'm sitting.  The 9th Circuit Judge must think he is wonderful, or maybe not.  Trump can file for a hearing on the matter in the Supreme Court.  I do so hope he does.  

Incidentally, I know you are an observer but you do a magnificent job of keeping up with it all.   

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-04-26/artists-impression-trumps-tug-war



This.

Donald Trump warns of 'major, major conflict' with North Korea.

US president says he wants to seek a diplomatic solution to crisis in Korea and reveals China is helping to pressure Kim Jong-un.

Donald Trump has said that a “major conflict” was possible with North Korea though he would prefer to solve the standoff over the country’s nuclear and missile programme through diplomacy.

Trump’s warning on Thursday came towards the end of a week where the administration has made a concerted effort to restrain Pyongyang from carrying out major new weapons tests.

At the same time, US officials sought to clarify US policy after a variety of mixed signals in the administration’s first 100 days.

Rex Tillerson, the secretary of state, said that the US would be prepared to enter into direct talks with the regime of Kim Jong-un, but that it would have to prepare to negotiate getting rid of all its nuclear weapons.

The opening to diplomacy came as the head of the US Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris told the Senate that the standoff with North Korea was the worst he had seen. It was an assessment echoed by the president.

“There is a chance that we could end up having a major, major conflict with North Korea. Absolutely,” Trump told Reuters.  

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/apr/28/donald-trump-warns-of-major-major-conflict-with-north-korea
....................................
Trump barks, but struggles to find his bite.

Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump is all about the bark -- bold, aggressive promises.

Whether it's unfair Chinese trade practices, the North American Free Trade Agreement he's dubbed a "disaster" or Iran's destabilizing actions, Trump has kept up much of his bold campaign rhetoric.

But when it comes to follow through, at least in his first 100 days in office Trump has come up short on the bite, failing to deliver on his toughest campaign promises.

After months of railing against NAFTA, some of Trump's top aides signaled Wednesday he might withdraw from the deal altogether in the coming days.
By Wednesday night, Trump had talked to the fretful leaders of Canada and Mexico and stood down on the possibility, deciding against pulling the US from the trade deal altogether.

"I received calls from the President of Mexico and the Prime Minister of Canada asking to renegotiate NAFTA rather than terminate," Trump tweeted Thursday morning. "I agreed subject to the fact that if we do not reach a fair deal for all, we will then terminate NAFTA."

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/04/27/politics/donald-trump-agenda/
.......................................
Trump: 'I thought it would be easier'.

President Donald Trump, reflecting on a first 100 days in office that has featured no major legislative wins and low approval ratings, said Thursday he thought the job would be easier.

"I loved my previous life, I loved my previous life. I had so many things going," Trump said in an interview with Reuters. "I actually, this is more work than my previous life. I thought it would be easier."

He later added, "I do miss my old life. This -- I like to work. But this is actually more work."

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/04/28/politics/donald-trump-president-easier/

"I loved my previous life, I loved my previous life. I had so many things going," Trump said in an interview with Reuters. "I actually, this is more work than my previous life. I thought it would be easier."

That's very honest of him - I doubt if anything could have prepared Trump for the Washington snakepit.

Not Trump, but I guarantee that none of the spoiled brats currently playing Survivor on 'fyre festival' island voted for him:

What they thought they were getting for all that money:

https://www.bustle.com/articles/200567-11-things-to-know-about-fyre-festival-because-its-unlike-any-music-event-youve-attended-before

Quote:

Music is just a piece of the picture. If you attend the festival, you are committing to a weekend on a private island where you can go to concerts, visit art installations, sit in on talks hosted by cultural leaders, sample the best cuisine, or lounge on the beach with the new friends you are sure to make. The cost of your ticket allows you access to everything the island has to offer, plus accommodations and a flight from and back to Miami (the island is just an hour away from Miami's shores).

What they actually got:

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-04-28/rich-kids-duped-fyre-music-festival-debacle-bahamas-all-hell-breaking-loose-ja-rule-



Yum yum!

The snowflakes were last heard of making frantic pleas for evacuation (those whose phones hadn't been stolen) and asking questions like:


I like the one wanting to know how to make weapons best; I am sure they will all be glad to get back to their safe spaces.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-04-28/meet-machine-gun-wielding-robots-modern-warfare


The ATV-sized robots are mounted with machine guns that can charge up a beach and drive themselves, while helping dismount small units.

Surf, sand and steep inclines are not going to stop the water-friendly MUTTs. The vehicles drive on tracks, or wheels, and there are two wheeled variants: 8x8 and 6x6.

The robot can be mounted with a range of different weapons, including machine guns.

The Browning M2 .50 caliber machine gun that weighs about 84 pounds is one option. Others include the belt-fed fully automatic FN Hershel 240B medium machine gun and the classic SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon M249).

Beyond machine guns, they’ve also been successfully kitted out with options like 60mm mortars.


And I confidently predict they'll still get their aluminium ar@es kicked by goatherders in flip-flops. Why has the Pentagon so little grasp of the role of MOTIVATION in warfare?

Russians will take old microwave oven, remove front cover and jam the feck out of all thee little toys.

Yes.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/30/it-feels-like-groundhog-day-us-marines-return-to-helmand-province-afghanistan

hen thousands of US Marines flooded into Helmand eight years ago, they demonstrated Barack Obama’s resolve to quash the Taliban once and for all and leave a peaceful province for Afghans to take over.

Two years after the US flag was lowered, however, the Marines are back, in a sign that things turned out rather differently.

“It feels like Groundhog Day,” said Staff Sergeant Robin Spotts, on his third Helmand deployment. About half of the 300 Marines who have arrived over the past two weeks have served in Helmand before. Even the flag raised in a ceremony on Saturday was the same, having been kept at the Pentagon since October 2014.


Afghanistan reels from Taliban's deadliest attack on army since 2001
Read more
The situation now is worse than when they left. Areas where the US military had outposts and walked the bazaars are now inaccessible even for Afghan forces. Of the province’s 14 districts, only two are firmly under government control....etc.

For goodness' sake, bring them home, they're going to get killed and maimed for NOTHING. They can't win in Afghanistan, no-one can, so let ISIS, the Taliban and Al Quaeda fight it out.

There are very good reasons why Afghanistan is called the Graveyard of Empires.

Priebus: Trump Considering Amending or Abolishing 1st Amendment.

A number of press reports have picked up this exchange this morning between ABC’s Jonathan Karl and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus. But people have missed the real significance. Priebus doesn’t discuss changing ‘press laws’ or ‘libel laws’. He specifically says that the White House has considered and continues to consider amending or even abolishing the 1st Amendment because of critical press coverage of President Trump.

Sound hyperbolic? Look at the actual exchange (emphasis added) …

KARL: I want to ask you about two things the President has said on related issues. First of all, there was what he said about opening up the libel laws. Tweeting “the failing New York Times has disgraced the media world. Gotten me wrong for two solid years. Change the libel laws?” That would require, as I understand it, a constitutional amendment. Is he really going to pursue that? Is that something he wants to pursue?

PRIEBUS: I think it’s something that we’ve looked at. How that gets executed or whether that goes anywhere is a different story. But when you have articles out there that have no basis or fact and we’re sitting here on 24/7 cable companies writing stories about constant contacts with Russia and all these other matters—

KARL: So you think the President should be able to sue the New York Times for stories he doesn’t like?

PRIEBUS: Here’s what I think. I think that newspapers and news agencies need to be more responsible with how they report the news. I am so tired.

KARL: I don’t think anybody would disagree with that. It’s about whether or not the President should have a right to sue them.

PRIEBUS: And I already answered the question. I said this is something that is being looked at. But it’s something that as far as how it gets executed, where we go with it, that’s another issue. more at link.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/priebus-trump-considering-amending-or-abolishing-1st-amendment

bb1 wrote:https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/30/it-feels-like-groundhog-day-us-marines-return-to-helmand-province-afghanistan

hen thousands of US Marines flooded into Helmand eight years ago, they demonstrated Barack Obama’s resolve to quash the Taliban once and for all and leave a peaceful province for Afghans to take over.

Two years after the US flag was lowered, however, the Marines are back, in a sign that things turned out rather differently.

“It feels like Groundhog Day,” said Staff Sergeant Robin Spotts, on his third Helmand deployment. About half of the 300 Marines who have arrived over the past two weeks have served in Helmand before. Even the flag raised in a ceremony on Saturday was the same, having been kept at the Pentagon since October 2014.


Afghanistan reels from Taliban's deadliest attack on army since 2001
Read more
The situation now is worse than when they left. Areas where the US military had outposts and walked the bazaars are now inaccessible even for Afghan forces. Of the province’s 14 districts, only two are firmly under government control....etc.

For goodness' sake, bring them home, they're going to get killed and maimed for NOTHING. They can't win in Afghanistan, no-one can, so let ISIS, the Taliban and Al Quaeda fight it out.

There are very good reasons why Afghanistan is called the Graveyard of Empires.

Yes. well.......there have vast poppy fields that no one is allowed to touch.

I think the CIA is allowed to touch them. Allegedly.

I think you are right.     Allegedly, of course.