The Trump Presidency 13: The (James) Baker's Dozen

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I understand the parallels between now and the 1930s but I'm not sure they are really the same. In the 1930s there was a worldwide depression. Germany was destabilized by all that had happened since the end of WWI. Much of the Third World was still colonized. The Soviet Union was on the rise.

I think two factors in particular are destabilizing western societies today. One is global terrorism. The other is the rise of the super rich. In 2017 the Guardian reported:
The globe’s richest 1% own half the world’s wealth, according to a new report highlighting the growing gap between the super-rich and everyone else. Link
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The first is creating a lot of paranoia, the second a lot of resentment and disillusionment with modern day government. Right wing leaders are skillful at taking advantage of the anxiety and malaise people feel.
 
newyorkguy said:
I think two factors in particular are destabilizing western societies today. One is global terrorism. The other is the rise of the super rich. In 2017 the Guardian reported:
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I think social media (and the potential for abuse (which is already quite a reality)) is a very significant factor as well.
 
newyorkguy said:
I understand the parallels between now and the 1930s but I'm not sure they are really the same. In the 1930s there was a worldwide depression. Germany was destabilized by all that had happened since the end of WWI. Much of the Third World was still colonized. The Soviet Union was on the rise.
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As the great man said, not repeating but rhyming. The same retreat into tribalism, the same sense that democracy is a weak system and strength is a necessity. Terrorists now, Bolsheviks then. Social media now, broadcast radio (a new thing) then. We shall see - pretty much in real time.
 
WilliamSeger said:
I think trumper sycophants and apologists can deduce when Cohen is lying and when he's telling the truth by the same means that 9/11 truthers "know" which parts of the NIST reports are lies and which parts are true.
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A very good analogy. I believe a large portion of Trump followers are truthers. They're at least Alex Jones watchers.
 
Read this article and be afraid, be very afraid:

https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/03/01/trump-national-security-council-225442

The man is getting rid of the professionals in National Security and replacing them with yes men who accept Trump's own incredibly warped view of the world.

And the scariest part is the last sentence. Trump has yet to face a real major crisis.
I am convinced the man, through sheer stupidity or in a temper tantrum, will get us involved in a major war if he stays in office long enough.
 
What is so incredible is that the GOP lets this go on if not enables this insanity.

Trump overriding national security aprovers to grant his son in law a security clearance is tin pot dictator stuff. Wake up America. This cannot stand. Make America Normal Again.
 
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Sideroxylon said:
What is so incredible is that the GOP lets this go on if not enables this insanity.

Trump overriding national security aprovers to grant his son in law a security clearance is tin pot dictator stuff. Wake up America. This cannot stand. Make America Normal Again.
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As much as I despise Trump, apparently the POTUS has the right to give a security clearance to anybody he chooses.
Which does not make Trump's action and less troubling and dangerous.
 
This is what Donald Trump actually believes...
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Sideroxylon said:
What is so incredible is that the GOP lets this go on if not enables this insanity.

Trump overriding national security aprovers to grant his son in law a security clearance is tin pot dictator stuff. Wake up America. This cannot stand. Make America Normal Again.
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Who wouldn't sell their souls for some great tax breaks?
 
dudalb said:
As much as I despise Trump, apparently the POTUS has the right to give a security clearance to anybody he chooses.
Which does not make Trump's action and less troubling and dangerous.
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I wasn’t suggesting it was illegal. Just that it is tin-pop dictator stuff. He is patently ignorant while his son-in law has issues that raise concerns about him having a clearance. That people might consider this acceptable is sad. Where are the checks and balances? This is a dangerous path America is on.
 
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Trump Tweets

I have asked China to immediately remove all Tariffs on our agricultural products (including beef, pork, etc.) based on the fact that we are moving along nicely with Trade discussions....

....and I did not increase their second traunch of Tariffs to 25% on March 1st. This is very important for our great farmers - and me!
 
newyorkguy said:
What's a "traunch?" Something to do with covfefe?
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I also like the implication: "I screwed up with the first round of tariffs, so I decided not to screw up a second time, therefore the first round doesn't count."

It's not the first time Trump was both the arsonist and the firefighter since he took office.
 
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