I asked in the last post about the
spirit of Christmas. Perhaps it isn't just about giving, but also
about faith. The faith we have in what we cannot see, but can only
imagine. Right now it seems that everywhere I turn there are only
sad tidings. But that isn't the spirit with which my country was
founded. So many people who have went before imagined a different
world. One where anything was possible for those who worked hard and
kept the faith in something larger than themselves.
Maybe we need to regain that faith we
had in ourselves and in a larger meaning to life.
Remember...
I wish you all a wonderful Christmas!
28 comments:
From the prior thread…
"Even she is questioning…"
The thing to remember is that Trump was a minority President to begin with. He snuck over the line by chance; it was a fluke. Even though the system over-weights the old Southern and rural vote it was still a fluke. He was outvoted by the largest margin ever for a Republican who pulled off the electoral college win in spite of a general election loss. Even with their structural advantage, Trump's win was a fluke.
He doesn't have any votes to lose, and he's losing votes anyway.
The dedicated Trumpkins will mostly stick with him, but enough are peeling off already…. And he's not gaining any replacements.
There's my cheerful thought for this Christmas.
There is always hope. :)
"It is debatable whether the United States should have sent forces to
Syria in the first place, but there was widespread agreement among
military and foreign policy experts that abruptly pulling them out now
is unthinkable. It will leave the Syrian Kurds -- loyal U.S. allies -- at
the mercy of Erdogan and Syrian dictator Bashar Assad. It gladdens
the hearts of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the mullahs in
Iran. And, like so many of Trump's decisions, it stems not from
analysis but from caprice."
Eugene Robinson in the Washington Post
It appears that Trump has finally paid a visit to the troops in the field, spending just over three hours on the ground in Al Asad AirBase in the Anbar province, west of Baghdad.
(It also appears that the Trump administration may have informed the Iraqi government of Trump's impending visit while Trump was in the air, on the way there--didn't ask permission. Seems to be some rumbling in Iraq to that effect. We'll find out later I reckon.)
CBSNews tells us that the White House ‛gave the Iraqi prime minister just two hours notice for a meeting with the president’, which tends to confirm that Trump just told them he was coming (after he was already on the way--already over Europe one would presume). The White House apparently did not ask permission. Seems to have kinda pissed 'em off.
Trump was rampin' it up this morning. He's now issuing threats to ‛close’ the border with Mexico. Trumptweets So far, it doesn't look like anybody's takin' him seriously. That may be a mistake.
(He's also threatening to cut off ‛aid’ to Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador; but that's not a new threat; he's made that one before.)
Yes, Iraq does appear to be seriously pissed off about Trump's visit. But then that seems to be many people's reaction to his visits. In this case, though, it is causing Iraqi politicians to rethink the presence of US troops in their country.
Yes, it does seem that everywhere that Trump goes he really does stick his foot into it.
Trump was rampin' it up this morning. He's now issuing threats to ‛close’ the border with Mexico.
I're ready for this nightmare presidency to end.
Marcus gonna love this one:
"While investigating if Russia colluded with the Trump campaign
during the 2016 presidential election, Special Counsel Robert Mueller
and his team have obtained a mysterious ‛nude selfie.’
"At least that’s according to a court filing by Concord Management
and Consulting, an alleged Russian state-controlled troll farm which
has been indicted as part of the investigation."
NewYorkPost
Lol! I saw that. Somehow it doesn't surprise me.
Rumor's goin' 'round that the White House staff have decided that the best way to handle the government shutdown is to let Trump tweet his way outta this one. That's gonna be the negotiation strategy. Let Trump tweet.
One of the columnists from Bloomberg was speculating on possible Democratic challengers to Trump in 2020. He broke them down into 4 different categories. The Insider Bracket was led by Joe Biden, the Liberal Bracket was led by Elizabeth Warren, The Diversity Bracket was led by Kamala Harris and the Outsider Bracket was led by Mitch Landdrieu.
Some of the other contenders he mentioned were, Michael Bloomberg, Beto O'Rourke, Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders etc. I thought it interesting that Amy got a mention. I suppose it was because of the Kavanaugh hearing thing.
Personally I rather like Michael Bloomberg or Beto O'Rourke. In a normal election I would back Amy Klobuchar, but I'm not sure if she has enough name recognition to go up against Trump. I would be curious as to how she would handle his rather obnoxious campaign, well and just about everything else, style, though.
That's gonna be the negotiation strategy. Let Trump tweet.
*shudder*
Slow death of a country by tweet.
"I thought it interesting that Amy got a mention."
Her name was in the running even before the Kavanaugh hearings ('course we're talkin' 20+ folks in the running there). My first problem with Bloomberg is the same one I've got with Biden, old! And Biden's got the additional burden of having run twice already and imploded both times. Campaigning for President has not been lucky for him. Don't want to put Biden up against Trump and have him implode a third time.
I'm not overly enthusiastic about Biden either. As for age, well it does seem that we are going for older lately.
Sooooo, now some are coming with the "wall" being a metaphor for border security. But Trump is still talking physical. He is and always has been the problem.
Meanwhile we have people out of work not collecting a paycheck and bills to pay. Doesn't matter, and shouldn't, whether they are Democrats or Republicans. Trump has, as usual, dragged in partisan politics over this.
"I'm not overly enthusiastic about Biden either."
Don't get me wrong; I still like Biden and I think he'd have made a good President. I probably still see ol' Joe more favorably than you ever did.
But, he's had his shot. Didn't work out for him is all.
"Sooooo, now some are coming with the "wall" being a metaphor for border security."
Yeah, Trump's trying real hard to talk them into giving him something he can still call a wall. I'm against that in principle.
What he's trying to do is prove to his minority of supporters that they can still terrorize the Republican Party enough to make the majority in this country kowtow to his fanatical minority. (They know they're a minority--so the continued ability to strike fear into the hearts of their ‛enemies’ (whether Democrats or ‛Establishment’ Republicans) is a matter of crucial importance to them--and therefore of crucial importance to him). I'm in favor of breaking him here and now; break him on this issue right here and now.
(Unless, of course, he wants to buy that wall with some serious concessions on matters that matter. I'm not immune to the idea of gettin' him to pay an exorbitant price--we can always take the damn wall down later.)
Moscow has requested discussions with Trump on ‛the most extensive agenda’. Putin must figure that it worked out so well for Erdoğan, ……
(Unless, of course, he wants to buy that wall with some serious concessions on matters that matter. I'm not immune to the idea of gettin' him to pay an exorbitant price--we can always take the damn wall down later.)
I would prefer we not waste any money on a wall that won't work, but I can see where there could be an upside if Trump and the GOP would actually compromise on something. I'm not holding my breath, though.
Trump has requested a meeting with Congressional leaders, including Shumer and Pelosi, for tomorrow. The White House names it a ‛briefing’ for said Congressional leaders. They would prefer that the dedicated Trumpkins not get the impression that Trump has requested negotiations. They do not want him to appear to be a supplicant of any sort. (And, it could be that they do not intend to negotiate; with Trump one never knows for sure.)
Trump has been asking "Let's make a deal?" Whether or not he's serious remains to be seen.
So, looks like the Russians have arrested an American on espionage charges. Wanna bet they will eventually also be asking "Let's make a deal?" If that proves to be true, then it would go a long way to confirming the guilt of the young woman we have also taken into custody and charged with espionage. Although I think she pleaded guilty, didn't she?
Hmmm...haven't seen Marcus around lately. I hope he wasn't swept out to sea during that concert in Indonesia. Just because we have our differences doesn't mean I would want him to be fish food.
"I think she pleaded guilty, didn't she?"
More than that; she's been negotiating for a reduced sentence. No telling who she's thinking of giving up for that benefit.
Truth can be stranger than fiction
It will be interesting to see how this story develops.
No telling who she's thinking of giving up for that benefit.
Wonder if she's met with Mueller's team? Perhaps there's a reason Putin had to act quickly.
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