45th President of the United States, Donald Trump (Vol. 7)

[Blackpuddin]

This may seem a bit bleedin obvious but the performative aspect of these proceedings might have been reduced somewhat if an impartial Chairman had been put in place. You feel that Schiff being there suits the rabid Republicans down to the ground as they can always claim that the ref was bent.

[Gameface]

Unlike Manafort or Barr...

[Countdown]

Blackpuddin said:

This may seem a bit bleedin obvious but the performative aspect of these proceedings might have been reduced somewhat if an impartial Chairman had been put in place. You feel that Schiff being there suits the rabid Republicans down to the ground as they can always claim that the ref was bent.

The way I see it, anybody/everybody other than a rabid republican would appear to be "biased" simply because the evidence against Trump is so overwhelming.

[Countdown]

Byker28i said:

Nunes has made an opening statement (for the defence) focussing almost entirely on the media, recited a series of headlines re: Russia investigation that he says turned out to be false.
Those were definately decidedly not false


Vindman's opening statement finishes with:
I ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT MY SIMPLE ACT OF APPEARING HERE TODAY JUST LIKE THE COURAGE OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE ALSO TRUTHFULLY TESTIFIED BEFORE THIS COMMITTEE WOULD NOT BE TOLERATED IN MANY PLACES AROUND THE WORLD.
IN RUSSIA, MY ACT OF EXPRESSING CONCERN TO THE CHAIN OF COMMAND WOULD HAVE SEVERE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL REPERCUSSIONS AND OFFERING THE TESTIMONY WOULD SURELY COST ME THE LIFE.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR MY FATHER'S BRAVE ACT OF HOIP AND FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF BEEN BEING AN AMERICAN CITIZEN. WHERE I CAN LEAVE FREE OF FEAR FOR MINE AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY.

DAD, I'M SITTING HERE TODAY IN THE U.S. CAPITOL TALKING TO OUR ELECTED PROFESSIONALS, TALKING TO OUR ELECTED PROFESSIONALS IS PROOF THAT YOU MADE THE RIGHT DECISION 40 YEARS AGO TO LEAVE THE SOVIET UNION AND SOME HERE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN SEARCH OF A BETTER LIFE FOR OUR FAMILY. DO NOT WORRY. I WILL BE FINE FOR TELLING THE TRUTH.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.

Edited by Byker28i on Tuesday 19th November 15:09

If Trump and his acolytes could have their way then it wouldn't be tolerated in the US either. There was a time when whistlblowers would be treated as heroes. Now If you try to do the decent thing you'll be subject to vitriol and abuse all the way from POTUS down to the inbred redneck MAGA fraternity, for absolutely no benefit other than your morals or principles. That is how much he has corrupted US politics.

[Blackpuddin]

Shocking and shameful that the US Army feels obliged to offer him post-inquiry sanctuary – protection, basically – in a camp.

[Prolex-UK]

Blackpuddin said:

Shocking and shameful that the US Army feels obliged to offer him post-inquiry sanctuary – protection, basically – in a camp.

Should be the headlines tomorrow

[Byker28i]

Never heard of it for three years, with other press secretaries now suddenly

WH Press Sec Stephanie Grisham claims Obama aides left 'you will fail" notes in offices for Trump aides: “We came into the WH, I’ll tell you something. Every office was filled with Obama books and we had notes left behind that said ‘you will fail,’ ‘you aren’t going to make it,’”

https://nypost.com/2019/11/19/obama-aides-allegedl...

[Byker28i]

That old trump magic - looks like he just lost South Korea as an ally

China signs defense agreement with South Korea as U.S. angers Seoul with demand for $5 billion troop payment
https://news.yahoo.com/china-signs-defense-agreeme...

[greygoose]

Byker28i said:

That old trump magic - looks like he just lost South Korea as an ally

China signs defense agreement with South Korea as U.S. angers Seoul with demand for $5 billion troop payment
https://news.yahoo.com/china-signs-defense-agreeme...

It will take decades to repair the damage to America's reputation by the toddler in chief.

[Byker28i]

Twice -- once by Nunes and once by Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan -- Republicans on the committee sought to force VIndman to disclose the two people outside of the National Security Council who he briefed on the July 25 call. One, Vindman said, was George Kent, the State Department official who testified last week. The other, Vindman said, was a member of the intelligence community.

https://us.cnn.com/2019/11/19/politics/impeachment...

During the Republican counsel's questioning of Vindman, it came up that he had been asked, on three occasions, by the Ukrainians to serve as their defense minister. (Vindman was born in Ukraine but came to the United States when he was 3.)
"I'm an American," Vindman responded, noting that he had turned down the offers. "I came here when I was a toddler, and I immediately dismissed these offers. I did not entertain them." He added that he had "notified my chain of command and the appropriate counterintelligence folks about the offer."

[hidetheelephants]

Challo said:

Never once did he question the testimony, just went on a rant about the process and how its all a shame.

That would be the same John Ratcliffe who was bounced from his nomination to DNI as his resume was padded out with utter bks. A tit obsessed with impressing the Supreme Satsuma.

Byker28i said:

Never heard of it for three years, with other press secretaries now suddenly

WH Press Sec Stephanie Grisham claims Obama aides left 'you will fail" notes in offices for Trump aides: “We came into the WH, I’ll tell you something. Every office was filled with Obama books and we had notes left behind that said ‘you will fail,’ ‘you aren’t going to make it,’”

https://nypost.com/2019/11/19/obama-aides-allegedl...

30+ months after moving in she coincidentally decides to spill these beans just as the boss is up to his eyeballs in st and sinking fast? She's a liar and this is just another feeble 'Look! Squirrel!' effort.

Edited by hidetheelephants on Tuesday 19th November 19:48

[Tartan Pixie]

Trade war, couple of videos people may enjoy.

The Great Decoupling, 35 mins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiqWn-blwKU
New York Asia Society panel on the effects of decoupling between China and USA. Lots of interesting stuff about scientific research, data flows, commerce and more. Informed discussion of a caliber you won't find on the BBC or New York Times.

Trump's Biggest Failure, 1Hr 9 mins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhMAt3BluAU
Most of the film covers the history and Geopolitics of China but that is kinda important to know if we want to see how this new cold war is likely to turn out. Some of the economic arguments about tariffs and trade deals are a bit weak but that's a minor gripe as the geopolitics is well informed plus it's basically a feature length polandball cartoon which is always fun.

[Tartan Pixie]

Byker28i said:

That old trump magic - looks like he just lost South Korea as an ally

China signs defense agreement with South Korea as U.S. angers Seoul with demand for $5 billion troop payment
https://news.yahoo.com/china-signs-defense-agreeme...

I guess if Trump wants to play hardball then the Koreans need to have a viable alternative to having US troops in the country, otherwise they've got no leverage in negotiations.

Given that $5Bn is less than the cost of a carrier plus aircraft and that Korea is a damn sight harder to sink than a Ford class I'm not sure this even makes sense in terms of military spending?

[RobDickinson]

Captain Bone spur, who's family have never served in the military, who happens to be commander in chief of the US military....

... mocks a serving decorated officer for wearing his uniform to court when it is a legal requirement.



How is his base at all still with this fkwit?

[Gameface]

What's he said?

[RobDickinson]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/...


and now he wants to fire witnesses.. must be otally innocent .. perfect phonecall etc etc
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/18/politics/donald...

[F1GTRUeno]

greygoose said:

It will take decades to repair the damage to America's reputation by the toddler in chief.

Perhaps it's for the best that America isn't in charge anymore.

I mean, not that Russia or China are better but what good has America being World Police done?

[Byker28i]

RobDickinson said:

Captain Bone spur, who's family have never served in the military, who happens to be commander in chief of the US military....

... mocks a serving decorated officer for wearing his uniform to court when it is a legal requirement.



How is his base at all still with this fkwit?

One that was wounded in service of his country, but that didn't stop republicans questioning his loyalty yesterday.

[Byker28i]

hidetheelephants said:

Challo said:

Never once did he question the testimony, just went on a rant about the process and how its all a shame.

That would be the same John Ratcliffe who was bounced from his nomination to DNI as his resume was padded out with utter bks. A tit obsessed with impressing the Supreme Satsuma.

Byker28i said:

Never heard of it for three years, with other press secretaries now suddenly

WH Press Sec Stephanie Grisham claims Obama aides left 'you will fail" notes in offices for Trump aides: “We came into the WH, I’ll tell you something. Every office was filled with Obama books and we had notes left behind that said ‘you will fail,’ ‘you aren’t going to make it,’”

https://nypost.com/2019/11/19/obama-aides-allegedl...

30+ months after moving in she coincidentally decides to spill these beans just as the boss is up to his eyeballs in st and sinking fast? She's a liar and this is just another feeble 'Look! Squirrel!' effort.

Edited by hidetheelephants on Tuesday 19th November 19:48

Pete Souza, Obamas photographer has lots of photos.
Pete Souza
@PeteSouza
From the actual note 44 left inside Resolute Desk that trump himself released: “Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure and know that we stand ready to help in any ways we can.”


Edit:
Pete Velz says:
This is the note I left my successor. Really dispiriting to hear this from @PressSec, a person with whom I spent a couple amicable hours with during the the 2016 transition where I wished her nothing but institutional knowledge, good luck and all our support.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJvswLYWsAAt0H-.jpg

Edited by Byker28i on Wednesday 20th November 07:16

[Byker28i]

trumps pardon of that Navy Seal isn't going down well.

Since his acquittal, Chief Gallagher has trolled the Navy on social media, taunting the SEALs who testified against him; mocking one who wept as he told investigators about witnessing the stabbing of the captive; insulting the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; and calling top SEAL commanders, including Admiral Green, “a bunch of morons.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/19/us/navy-seals-e...

7 of his colleagues testified against him, he was found guilty, imagine how they feel about a pardon and then this.