Trump could win presidency: Yes or No?

[Dr. Keith]

Do you watch the Russian network RTTV? Even if only now and then?

dudalb: As far as alternate realities go, I tend to agree. The US has its own peculiar blinders version.

There will be common goals once Trump take the (maybe subtle position) that all the rebels in Syria are terrorist and can be killed or driven out. Are they not?

The US agitators promised arms and intelligence support to anyone fighting Assad. Nice way to start a civil war, and now the media cries about Aleppo and its civilians because the sovereign government is winning the war, and Aleppo will not surrender as it should.

I watch what Russia does. When they have assets in the region they do not go after ISIS. By saying that we will have common goals are you saying that Trump will stop going after ISIS?

It may be hard to imagine that the US may support some rebels, but that is inherent in our history. We were the rebels at one point and we will sometimes support rebels if we feel their values are more aligned with our interest than the regime in power. But this is pretty basic history, surely you don't need this to be pointed out.

 

[Doubt]

The rear stairway is indeed part of the plane. Required for deplaning where there is no jet-way or roll-up stairs provided.

It was a clear insult by the Chinese.

Not entirely clear but likely a result of passive aggressive behavior by some lower functionaries.

A strong leader responds to snubs and insults by strong action.

No, what you described would be a easily manipulated "strong man" who is unable to adapt to challenging situations. Smart leaders do not let insults get to them. Doing what you described would be doing just that. Doing your strong man bit is what a weak leader does when he wants to seem strong but is instead just a way to get abused.

Obama showed that he caves under pressure (like to the Israelis). The Chinese know he will take no military action in the South China sea. All he will do is sell US arms to just about any side that will buy them.

The US has taken no side on the South China sea problem other than to conduct freedom of navigation operations and sail through those areas. Anything more would be an act of war with no good outcome in sight.

Trump will stay out of the South China sea dispute, but he will say so, because he does not want the US to get involved in local disputes.

You don't have any idea what Trump will do and neither does Trump.

 

[Bob001]

Not entirely clear but likely a result of passive aggressive behavior by some lower functionaries.
....

One TV report said that the stars dispute came down to this: As it routinely does, the Secret Service shipped security-approved U.S. stairs to the airport in advance, to be used when the President arrived. The SS would not allow the use of Chinese stairs. The Chinese basically said "It's our airport, everybody else uses our stairs, there's nothing wrong with our stairs, you can use them too." The President's response was "I don't need anybody's stairs, I got my own." He didn't sit on the plane fuming or fly away. He did what he wanted despite efforts to thwart him (if that's even what was happening). Most people would consider that an assertion of power, not a display of weakness.

 

[phiwum]

One TV report said that the stars dispute came down to this: As it routinely does, the Secret Service shipped security-approved U.S. stairs to the airport in advance, to be used when the President arrived. The SS would not allow the use of Chinese stairs. The Chinese basically said "It's our airport, everybody else uses our stairs, there's nothing wrong with our stairs, you can use them too." The President's response was "I don't need anybody's stairs, I got my own." He didn't sit on the plane fuming or fly away. He did what he wanted despite efforts to thwart him (if that's even what was happening). Most people would consider that an assertion of power, not a display of weakness.

Since when is walking down stairs that have no red carpet a sign of strength?

A strong man would insist on a red carpet, with rose petals strewn about, and if he doesn't get it, then to heck with the G20. I'll just sit on my plane. Like Achilles.

That's what strength is. Sure, it's a little hard to distinguish it from petulance, but with practice, you'll see it.

 

[Ladewig]

So Trump viewed a dispute between the USSS and the Chinese government/security service as an insult and would have flown away. Does he think that if he left, then the G20 meeting would not take place?

It is as if his only response to insults (real or imagined) is to choose the most overblown reaction as long as it hurts his self-interests.

I can agree with the idea that Washington needs shaking up or reform of some kind; I just think Trump is one of the least able to accomplish that.

 

[PartSkeptic]

I watch what Russia does. When they have assets in the region they do not go after ISIS. By saying that we will have common goals are you saying that Trump will stop going after ISIS?

It may be hard to imagine that the US may support some rebels, but that is inherent in our history. We were the rebels at one point and we will sometimes support rebels if we feel their values are more aligned with our interest than the regime in power. But this is pretty basic history, surely you don't need this to be pointed out.

So Russia lets the US bomb ISIS and they bomb the other "terrorists"?

By your reasoning, it is okay for Iran to support any "rebels" that they feel are aligned with their values?

Maybe what you mean is that only the US has intelligent decent values and morals, so only the US knows which groups can be morally supported.

Also inherent in the US recent history are such wars as Korea and Vietnam. Why was the US there?

Why is the US not nuking North Korea, before it is too late? An ardent anti-Trump commentator said he would vote for Trump if Trump promised to take out the North Korean leader. The usual reasons - regime change, world stability, democracy, and nuclear non-proliferation.

 

[PartSkeptic]

So Trump viewed a dispute between the USSS and the Chinese government/security service as an insult and would have flown away. Does he think that if he left, then the G20 meeting would not take place?

It is as if his only response to insults (real or imagined) is to choose the most overblown reaction as long as it hurts his self-interests.

I can agree with the idea that Washington needs shaking up or reform of some kind; I just think Trump is one of the least able to accomplish that.

If Obama was not there, would anything be different? If Trump flew away and then had the US government introduce protocols that, if not observed would result in consequences, then Trump would get respect.

The Chinese government stated clearly that any country hosting the Dalai Lama would suffer trade consequences. And trade dropped by at least 10% for a few years. The world got the message.

If Duterte insulted Trump, there would be prompt consequences. And other leaders would not be so quick to insults.

Certain types of respect have an element of fear of consequence. Academic respect simply admires brilliance.

 

[Firestone]

The Chinese government stated clearly that any country hosting the Dalai Lama would suffer trade consequences. And trade dropped by at least 10% for a few years. The world got the message.

Since Trump claims that the trade agreements unfairly favour countries like China, how is trade dropping by 10% a threat made by China?

 

[Dr. Keith]

So Russia lets the US bomb ISIS and they bomb the other "terrorists"?

By your reasoning, it is okay for Iran to support any "rebels" that they feel are aligned with their values?

Maybe what you mean is that only the US has intelligent decent values and morals, so only the US knows which groups can be morally supported.

Also inherent in the US recent history are such wars as Korea and Vietnam. Why was the US there?

Why is the US not nuking North Korea, before it is too late? An ardent anti-Trump commentator said he would vote for Trump if Trump promised to take out the North Korean leader. The usual reasons - regime change, world stability, democracy, and nuclear non-proliferation.

This is art. I want to make sure it is preserved for posterity.

 

[aleCcowaN]

So Russia lets the US bomb ISIS and they bomb the other "terrorists"?

By your reasoning, it is okay for Iran to support any "rebels" that they feel are aligned with their values?

Maybe what you mean is that only the US has intelligent decent values and morals, so only the US knows which groups can be morally supported.

Also inherent in the US recent history are such wars as Korea and Vietnam. Why was the US there?

Why is the US not nuking North Korea, before it is too late? An ardent anti-Trump commentator said he would vote for Trump if Trump promised to take out the North Korean leader. The usual reasons - regime change, world stability, democracy, and nuclear non-proliferation.

This is art. I want to make sure it is preserved for posterity.

In addition to that, for context

 

[Ladewig]

If Obama was not there, would anything be different? If Trump flew away and then had the US government introduce protocols that, if not observed would result in consequences, then Trump would get respect.

Wouldn't that more likely be that the US would get respect and Trump would get ridicule?

If Duterte insulted Trump, there would be prompt consequences. And other leaders would not be so quick to insults.

What would those consequences be?

Also, if Trump wins and Clinton insults Trump, will there be prompt consequences as well.

I get that Trump wants to change the way negotiations are done. And perhaps his ideas on negotiations are good. But I cannot see how flying away from a G20 meeting without even stepping off the plane helps negotiations. It is not evidence of his seriousness, it is evidence of his touchiness. I know thin-skinned narcissist is a term that has been thrown around a lot, but isn't this prima facie evidence of being a thin-skinned narcissist.

Certain types of respect have an element of fear of consequence. Academic respect simply admires brilliance.

OK. I have no great desire to try and argue against that point. My point is that striving for that kind of respect between superpowers may not be a constructive as Trump thinks it is.

Is Donald "Alpha Male" Trump going to have displays of dominance just as alpha male chimpanzees do? I am guessing that the answer is yes; at least that is the impression I get when reading about blowing up Iranian boats.

.

 

[aleCcowaN]

... Donald "Alpha Male" Trump ...

LOL

 

[varwoche]

The rear stairway is indeed part of the plane. Required for deplaning where there is no jet-way or roll-up stairs provided.

It was a clear insult by the Chinese.

A strong leader responds to snubs and insults by strong action.

Obama showed that he caves under pressure (like to the Israelis). The Chinese know he will take no military action in the South China sea. All he will do is sell US arms to just about any side that will buy them.

Trump will stay out of the South China sea dispute, but he will say so, because he does not want the US to get involved in local disputes.

Let me see if I understand this self-serving gibberish. Obama leaves South China Sea alone, and that's a sign of weakness. And on the other hand, Trump will leave the South China Sea alone, and that will be a sign of strength.

Thank you for this finely distilled insight into the whimsical mindset of Donald Trump followers.

 

[PartSkeptic]

Let me see if I understand this self-serving gibberish. Obama leaves South China Sea alone, and that's a sign of weakness. And on the other hand, Trump will leave the South China Sea alone, and that will be a sign of strength.

Thank you for this finely distilled insight into the whimsical mindset of Donald Trump followers.

I just saw Hillary give her opinion of people who would vote for Trump. Which half am I in?

The military industrial complex that is the USA wants to project the IMAGE of US power everywhere. They make money with all those arms sales.

What does Trump or the US gain from the territorial disputes around China? China will not back down, even to Trump. He is a businessman. Don't waste time and money on impossible ventures.

A wise man picks his battles, and then makes sure he wins.

Trump knows the enemy, and either demolishes them (Rubio and Cruz) or gets their support (Carson and Christie).

What have the sanctions on Russia achieved? Russia stopped working with the US and began open support of Assad.

 

[The Atheist]

Anyone experiencing a slight tightening of the sphincter that despite a campaign best described as disastrous to date, Trump is now only a couple of points down and closing?

 

[Ladewig]

I
A wise man picks his battles, and then makes sure he wins.

Yes, a wise man does. The question is when will Trump learn to be wise? He never picks his battles wisely because he fights every single battle.

That how he ends up saying things as stupid as, "I have made sacrifices, too. I built tall buildings" He spent 8 ******* years following the Kenya story: another battle poorly chosen.

 

[Ladewig]

Trump knows the enemy, and either demolishes them (Rubio and Cruz) or gets their support (Carson and Christie).

McCain, GHWB, and GWB do not appear destroyed to me.

Speaking of which I just saw one of Clinton's latest ads. It consists only of Republicans describing how unfit Trump is. I think it says a lot when prominent Members of a political party will not publicly support their party's nominee

 

[CapelDodger]

No, what you described would be a easily manipulated "strong man" who is unable to adapt to challenging situations. Smart leaders do not let insults get to them.

In the mid-19th Century US two politicians who hated each other found themselves approaching on a narrow footpath. As the came close one said "I never give way to scoundrels!". The other (Henry Clay) said "I always do", and stepped aside.

Look whose name is remembered.

 

[CapelDodger]

Anyone experiencing a slight tightening of the sphincter that despite a campaign best described as disastrous to date, Trump is now only a couple of points down and closing?

Yup, but I've been traumatised by the UK Referendum result and will never sleep easy again.

 

[The Atheist]

Yup, but I've been traumatised by the UK Referendum result and will never sleep easy again.

Same.

I dunno whether something has been put in the water, or maybe all the chemtrails, but western society seems to have lost its rudder over the past decade.

Guys like Corbyn do the alternative so much good by being too busy to spend 5 minutes at the Holocaust Museum, while New Zealand's own [long pre-dating] Donald Trump is on the rise after 20 years in the wilderness.

I've thrown the towel in - bring 'em on; what's the worst that could happen?