Trump

[Mikey Brown]

I’m not sure how many times I can have the thought “oh, now he’s really lost it.”

[gransoporro]

I can’t even get started...

I can’t.

Ok, I will have a go.


THANK GOD our GREAT PRESIDENT has UNMATCHED WISDOM!!! He will DESTROY the turkey like he did before!!!
MAGA!!! MAGA!!! MAGA!!!

[Digby]

Is he thinking of destroying (scarfing down) a thanksgiving turkey?

[gransoporro]

Is he thinking of destroying (scarfing down) a thanksgiving turkey?

Only the breast. Fried.

Nah, he knows Turkey is a country. General Flynn told him.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

I'm not an American lawyer but:

Almost everything Trump says would be a libel in England. Abuse isn't libel, but anything which is an assertion of fact, not opinion (Biden is corrupt is an assertion of fact) would be. And no you can't dress it up as an opinion. In England you would have the defence of justification only if you could prove that it was substantially true.

1st amendment allows you to say almost anything about a public figure - which Joe Biden definitely is. Iirc correctly the only thing actionable is a falsehood which you KNOW to be untrue. Trump may have no basis for thinking that the Bidens are corrupt, but its doubtful that he knows they are not.


I think there's a decent chance (probably no more than 15%) that he'll be impeached and leave office in disgrace. It's much more likely that the Dems will fuck it up - why the fuck have they not been on every news programme explaining to the American people who seem to know precious little about their constitution that if he's removed by impeachment there will still be a Republican President who they disagree with almost as much (but who probably stands a better chance of winning the election). It's obviously even more likely that the spineless fuckwits of the GOP will row him out.

[WaspInWales]

I'm not an American lawyer but:

Almost everything Trump says would be a libel in England. Abuse isn't libel, but anything which is an assertion of fact, not opinion (Biden is corrupt is an assertion of fact) would be. And no you can't dress it up as an opinion. In England you would have the defence of justification only if you could prove that it was substantially true.

1st amendment allows you to say almost anything about a public figure - which Joe Biden definitely is. Iirc correctly the only thing actionable is a falsehood which you KNOW to be untrue. Trump may have no basis for thinking that the Bidens are corrupt, but its doubtful that he knows they are not.


I think there's a decent chance (probably no more than 15%) that he'll be impeached and leave office in disgrace. It's much more likely that the Dems will fuck it up - why the fuck have they not been on every news programme explaining to the American people who seem to know precious little about their constitution that if he's removed by impeachment there will still be a Republican President who they disagree with almost as much (but who probably stands a better chance of winning the election). It's obviously even more likely that the spineless fuckwits of the GOP will row him out.

Strongly agree with the bolded bit Eugene. I dunno if the media are just concentrating on the response from Trump and the GOP, but that seems to dominate the news. There is so much that the Dems can pick apart every day but it's either not happening, or not being covered.

Today for example, the WH has publicly announced it will not be cooperating with the impeachment inquiry. I mean WTAF!?! Here we have a democratically elected administration being held to account for potential wrong-doings, and the administration replies by saying, 'nah, we won't be playing constitutional ball'.

This is the kinda thing the Dems could be having a field day with.

If Trump has nothing to hide, he and the WH wouldn't obstruct. Full transcripts would be released (even if only to committee members) and envoys would be allowed to testify under oath of an Almighty God

I was fairly confident this Ukraine shenanigans would be Trump's undoing, but the longer it goes on, I think he is going to get away with it.

If he does that, I can see him romping home to a second term.

Absolutely fucking insane.

Also, are you suggesting Pence has more chance of being re-elected than Trump? I can't see it myself. He just comes across as a face in the background of things going on.

[Digby]

The GOP has some interesting takes on what the constitutional procedure should be in this instance, I don't agree with them, but I do think the Democrats would be wise to try and proceed calmly. What's at stake here shouldn't be a political process where Democrats seek to harm Republicans, this is a matter of process, though actually politically I think the Dems are better not jumping up and down saying 'gotcha' into the bargain

[morepork]

What a complete fucking Gumby. How can a head of state operate with such profound and crippling incompetence? Unmatched wisdom??? Bitch pleeze.

[Banquo]

What a complete fucking Gumby. How can a head of state operate with such profound and crippling incompetence? Unmatched wisdom??? Bitch pleeze.

I think we are all in the Truman Show.

[Which Tyler]

Well that didn't take long.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-49983357
Turkish troops launch offensive into northern Syria

[Mikey Brown]

Don’t worry, Donald is on the lookout for inhumane behaviour.

[Puja]

And Turkey are only going to be attacking Kurdish terrorists, or those they choose to define as Kurdish terrorists, or those who they choose to define as supporting those that they choose to define as Kurdish terrorists. So that's fine! The Donster only promised to devastate their economy if they targetted nice people and Mr Erdogan has preapproved that all the people attacked are going to be declared mean, even if posthumously.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Don’t worry, Donald is on the lookout for inhumane behaviour.

You mean he's looking in the mirror?

[Sandydragon]

And Turkey are only going to be attacking Kurdish terrorists, or those they choose to define as Kurdish terrorists, or those who they choose to define as supporting those that they choose to define as Kurdish terrorists. So that's fine! The Donster only promised to devastate their economy if they targetted nice people and Mr Erdogan has preapproved that all the people attacked are going to be declared mean, even if posthumously.

Puja

The Donald really doesn’t think long term does he.

[Sandydragon]

Well that didn't take long.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-49983357
Turkish troops launch offensive into northern Syria

Almost like the whole thing was planned in advance.

[gransoporro]

Well that didn't take long.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-49983357
Turkish troops launch offensive into northern Syria

Almost like the whole thing was planned in advance.

An aid of Erdogan told CNN that Trump was briefed on the scope of this military operation in advance and gave green light, clearly.

And according to Fox the talking points for the call with Erdogan were “do not go south of the border”, and Trump “called an audible”.


Fun fact, the Istanbul Trump tower is not one but 2. The Trump towerS.

[Mikey Brown]

Not seen any mention of the continuing Harry Dunne situation. It’s fucking tragic that his family are having to deal with this. Is Trump really not in a position to waive this? Is that now how this works?

[Puja]

Not seen any mention of the continuing Harry Dunne situation. It’s fucking tragic that his family are having to deal with this. Is Trump really not in a position to waive this? Is that now how this works?

Your mistake is in thinking that Trump gives a single shit for caring, or even appearing to care, about anyone who isn't Donald J Trump. He could do something, but it doesn't benefit him or involve him, so it's completely irrelevant.

Puja

[WaspInWales]

It was mentioned during a press conference yesterday. Trump started off a reply quite well by saying something like it was a terrible tragedy and a loss for the parents...

...then he basically excused it as an accident. Driving on the wrong side of the road causing a fatality!

...then he announced something like that driving on the wrong side of the road easily happens and that even he has done it.

What a fucking wanker.

Here's what will happen; Trump will not waiver any diplomatic immunity, nor even possibly allow UK police to interview her in the states, but he will solve the problem by way of compensation courtesy of the US tax payer.

[Digby]

I get there are concerns around waiving immunity. Hopefully the US persuades the accused to return voluntarily

[WaspInWales]

I get there are concerns around waiving immunity. Hopefully the US persuades the accused to return voluntarily

No chance.

At the very least, they should allow Northamptonshire police to interview the suspect, but I don't think that is likely.

This is just another murky side to international politics. I'm sure diplomatic immunity laws are fine in principle, but this kinda thing shows how easy it is to abuse the protection.

[Which Tyler]

[Digby]

I get there are concerns around waiving immunity. Hopefully the US persuades the accused to return voluntarily

No chance.

At the very least, they should allow Northamptonshire police to interview the suspect, but I don't think that is likely.

This is just another murky side to international politics. I'm sure diplomatic immunity laws are fine in principle, but this kinda thing shows how easy it is to abuse the protection.

I don't think it likely, but they did pressure Georgia so there has to be some chance. And in fairness if it is cancelled in this instance it does set a precedent which is concerning, even if it should happen just looking at this situation

[Puja]

Yeah, that bounces round my head every time I hear those words.

Puja

[Digby]

Yeah, that bounces round my head every time I hear those words.

Puja

Before moving on to think about Patsy Kensit