Trump supports torture and other indulgences

Let's get back to the real world.

Yesterday, Trump surprised his SecDef, the Pentagon, governors, and Americans by announcing, “We are preparing for the military to secure our border between Mexico and the United States.”

Today, Homeland Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announce, "The President has directed that the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security work together with our governors to deploy the National Guard to our southwest border." Of course, no details were provided because no one knows what the details are. That would include the governors, the Pentagon, Trump, and Kirstjen.

One of the details no one knows anything about is why. What has changed? What caused the deployment? No one seems to know.

But one can guess. Is it the annual pilgrimage of the 1,000 to 1500 desperate souls marching up from Central America, euphemistically called the "caravan" by Trump because he heard it on Fox News over the weekend. He spent the weekend with Jeanine Pirro, Sean Hannity, and Bill Shine, all from Fox News, all immigration hardliners who, along with Ann Coulter, the right-wing firebrand, have publicly censured Trump for falling short on his immigration promises.

Ever since the weekend, Trump has been on fire with immigration issues, sending in the "Marines," the "caravan," lack of funding for the wall, DACA and the Dreamers, and illegal immigrants all of whom are thugs, rapists, murderers, and thieves.

Could this have any connection to his order to deploy the National Guard?

 

You have me confused with someone else. I gave you a 10 point list of what I liked Trump has accomplished. I'm glad Trump is getting tough on China, North Korea. Trump is putting his people in place of those the establishment selected for him. He needs to get rid of a couple others. Do you really believe the press wants to talk about real issues? They want to talk about Stormy or that BS about Russia.

 

Entirely possible. I have several threads going at once.

By getting tough on China, do you mean his proposed tariffs that are causing misery on Wall Street, has cost you thousands of dollars in your investments (if you have any), causing anguish in red, farming states, and potential loss of factory jobs (tariffs are supposed to protect). All this while members of Trump's party think he is nuts. Do you mean that kind of tough on China?

Is he getting tough on North Korea. Months ago he used harsh language. Today, he wants to have a chat with the North Korean dictator. Anyway, that is what he said the last time Trump mentioned it ... one month ago. Trump, the White House, and his advisors have been silent on this issue ever since. Maybe Trump forgot about it. Kim certainly has. He never replied to Trump. Kim hasn't said a thing to Trump, the White House, or the state department.

"Trump is putting his people in place of those the establishment selected for him." He is doing that. It would account for the 45% turnover rate in the White House. "Putting his people in place," right again. He wants sycophants. He does not want different opinions. Only his. You said it yourself. No one, including the "establishment," forced any appointments on Trump. They couldn't. He's the President.

Trump had good people. Now they are gone. Now Trump is attacking the American economy and, for no reason at all, stationing the National Guard on our southern border. He does have a reason, just not a good one. He is pissed at his own party for not providing funds for his stupid wall. So, he says, the Guard will stay there until he gets his wall.

You are happy with Trump. I can't imagine why. Maybe that is why I didn't reply to you before. You had me baffled.

 

Just because someone doesn't follow your line of thinking and if your mind closed to any other opinion then I guess you will just have to live in your own world.

So let's leave it alone 'cause we can't see eye to eye
There ain't no good guy, there ain't no bad guy
There's only you and me and we just disagree
Ooh ooh ooh, oh oh oh - Dave Mason (From the song "We just disagree"

 

This isn't about me. Why did you change the subject? Why didn't you deal with the issues?

 

I guess because I get tired repeating the same thing over and over.

 

Define torture. Do you think the President should be allowed to drone civilians in other countries? That's not torture because they die too quickly?

 

Let me see if I have this straight. You want me to define torture for you, soldier?

 

That is totally false and you know it. How many times have I replied to you? A dozen times? Two dozen times? I've lost track.

The fact of the matter is, you are avoiding the issues created by the Trump administration, and you offer this reply as your excuse.

Of course, you can't put it that way. You prefer talking about me instead of Trump.

I would offer the opinion that supporters of Trump should defend their position rather than dealing with the critic. You are only proving you can't defend Trump.

Don't feel bad. Most Trump supporters can't. As evidence, I offer this thread. Nearly every Trump supporter -- if not all -- disparage me instead of dealing with the issues I presented.

Just as you did. Try again. Here is a synopsis of Trump. Tell me what I got wrong.

Trump is incompetent, vindictive, paranoid, and has an alpha male persona accompanied by a narcissistic super ego. He is dangerous. He stirs up controversies just to stir up controversies, then moves on, letting other people clean up the mess he created.

His tariff policy caused the worse March in 17 years, the worst quarter in two years. So, he sends out his new economics chief to clean up the mess.

He made a horrible mistake by withdrawing the U.S. from the TPP. After 16 months, he realizes his mistake and now wants back in. He sends out his new economics chief, again, to clean up the mess. Problem: His threats and intimidation has pissed off our trading partners in the TPP plus China, and they are not inclined to allow renegotiation.

The man is so foolish that he tried to make policy at a campaign rally. To his adoring admirers in Ohio two weeks ago, Trump surprised the Joint Chiefs and his national security team, by declaring, "By the way, we're knocking the hell out of ISIS. We'll be coming out of Syria, like, very soon. Let the other people take care of it now, Very soon -- very soon we're coming out."

On Friday, the U.S., along with France and the U.K., lobbed 105 cruise missiles on Damascus and Homs.

His many tweets are infantile. Enough said.

In addition to all this, his lawyer's office, home, hotel, and safety deposit box were raided by the FBI. The Mueller investigation is probing into his campaign allegedly corroborating with Russia when they interfered in our election, a fact Trump has not recognized. In addition to that are multiple sexual scandals, including an Access Hollywood video during which Trump brags about his sexual prowess with women other than his wife.

He is afraid to face the White House corps in a regular press conference, the kind Sarah does routinely. Probably due to all of the above.

This is a man begging to be removed from office. There are dedicated people striving to accommodate him. Some want to call them Deep State. Be my guest, but they are sadly missing the point.

Many wonder why a man this incompetent and dangerous has any supporters at all.

Maybe his supporters ought to be asking themselves that question.

 

define it for the victims. do you prefer the Obama torture of droning civilian towns or the Bush water boarding?

What is "torture" to you? Just the victims? Their families? Collateral damage?

100 bucks says you won't answer directly once again

 

I also have answered you and yet when I give you my answers you say I'm avoiding the issues. That's neither here nor there. I'm not going to argue petty stuff. So let me try and answer your concerns about Trump as I see them.

Don't flatter yourself.

I'm not here to try and defend Trump. Some decisions he makes I don't agree with and others I do. It neither makes him a good President or a bad one. Personally I think he has been a very effective President in what he is trying to do.

 

All good news. Thanks for posting.

 

Pompeo is being grilled by the Senate confirmation committee. Trump chose him as his next SecState. Trump fired the last one. Tillerson had the temerity to offer his opinion. In the White House, only one opinion counts, and that is Trump's. Unfortunately, often thay are not good opinions.

Pompeo and Trump are two peas in a pod. Trump wanted a sycophant for SecState and he is getting his yes-man in Pompeo. For one thing, they both agree torture is a good policy.

Pompeo is facing a tough hurdle because of his past. He defended the CIA’s use of torture during the George W. Bush administration, declaring in November 2016, “These men and women are not torturers, they are patriots,” and, “the programs being used were within the law, within the Constitution.”

Trump would agree. "When ISIS is doing things that no one has ever heard of, since medieval times, would I feel strongly about waterboarding?" Trump said in an interview with ABC News. "As far as I'm concerned, we have to fight fire with fire." He added, "And if they [Pompeo and Mattis] do want to do (torture), I will work toward that end."

But do I feel it works? Absolutely, I feel it works, Trump further added.

Whereupon Trump nominated the darling of torture and waterboarding to be his next CIA director, replacing Pompeo. Her name is Gina Haspel, and she and Trump seem to be a perfect match.

When it comes to Pompeo and Haspel, there is no accounting for taste.

 

That's because you did avoid the issues, just as you did in your post. Once again, your concentration is on me. I raised several issues involving Trump and you barely commented. You did comment on one short paragraph by mostly agreeing with me.

Great. And what exactly is that? Be specific.

 

What are you talking about?

I don't understand your question. What are you talking about?

Do you know what waterboarding is? That is one form of torture. There are all kinds of torture. What is your point?

 

Dangerous? You make me laugh. Yes he doe's stir up the pot because for years our other cowardly Presidents didn't want to hurt anybody's feeling or were scared of their own shadow. Let's look at a few of them.

1. Confronted NATO to get on board and to pitch in more money, troop commitments and equipment.

2. Confronted the UN and shamed them and put them on notice we are no longer going to fund the UN so they sit around and do nothing.

3. Befriends Ukraine and other Baltic Nations and let's them know we are back in the game to help them stand up to Russia.

4. Supplies our military to help the Iraqi's and Kurds drive out ISIS from Iraq and destroy their Caliphate in Syria.

5. Twice bomb Assad chemical positions in response to their attack on their own people.

6. Open up channels with North Korea that hopefully bear fruit for peace in the region.

7. Withdrew from trade pacts that were burdensome on our trade imbalance. He is slowly moving back towards looking at rejoining them if some concessions be granted.

8. Brought to the forefront the danger of having open borders that allow the free flow of drugs, sex trafficking and criminal elements to freely enter our country.

9. Rolled back harmful regulations on our businesses to help jumpstart our economy.

10. Proposed tax cuts for all so that people would have more to spend. Have you noticed the GDP has been at 3%. Obama said 2% would be the new norm. Unemployment at record lows for all groups.

Are you in the doormat crowd that has no concern over huge trade imbalances, dumping of commodities to drive out competition and intellectual theft of U.S. companies secrets ? No Tariff's have been imposed yet. He is just letting some know that we are willing to go down that road if nothing changes. Already he is looking into other markets for some items that may feel an impact from a trade war.

He has already made separate deals with 6 countries in TPP and Japan is the one who is wanting him back in. New Zealand not so. Trump is still reluctant on this issue. He will rejoin as it is a roadblock to China. He will extract a better deal for America.

You would never know the other side of the story if he didn't Tweet. Most of the ill informed think that there are two stories Trump stole the election from Hillary with the Russians help. The only Russian collusion was the Hillary campaign, DNC, Russia, FBI and mainstream media. The other story is Stormy Daniels. A first rate money grubbing bimbo and her sleazy looking attorney. (YAWN)

I thought you were only interested the issues. I guess you support the GESTOPO tactics this investigation has taken. The whole thing has been created on a falsehood and will in the end be the underlying factor that any or all convictions will be thrown out or overturned.

The man has a country to run not get down and grovel with a bunch of bunch of press dogs.

You should get on your knees and thank GOD that he delivered you a savior from the Democrats and Hillary or even worse yet Bernie. When Trump is finished and he is laid to rest in his final resting place, the final inscription on his monument will read, HE MADE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.

 

And now North Korea is backing down and the TDS sufferers are out saying Trump had nothing to do with it. LOL

 

North Korea announced it will suspend nuclear and long-range missile tests and unveiled plans to close a nuclear test site.

The Korean Central News Agency, which is North Korea's state media agency, made the announcement as the reclusive nation's leaders are in ongoing peace talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is also in negotiations to meet with President Trump.

"From April 21, North Korea will stop nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles,” the Korean Central News Agency said in a report.

The report added, "the North will shut down a nuclear test site in the country's northern side to prove the vow to suspend nuclear test." USA Today

"The U.S. is being setup by South Korea and North Korea and Trump is foolish enough to be taken in by them." Obviously, that is speculation on my part, and I may be proven wrong.

However, I have learned to be very suspicious of North Korea. The West wants to believe that the sanctions are severely harming North Korea. Maybe that is true, but for decades China has been North Korea's benefactor and it is in China's interests to take up the slack caused by the sanctions. Why? It is very simple. The very last thing China wants is a Western-allied North Korea or a reunification of the Korean Peninsula. That easily could result in American troops being stationed along the Yalu River, the southern border of China.

Two very important facts need to be considered.

In essence, what did the announcement change? Nothing. North Korea has not tested a missile since November, at which time it said it had successfully tested a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile that could reach the whole of the continental United States. That was confirmed by SecDef Mattis. In other words all North Korea committed to is the behavior it has exhibited for the past five months.

Also, Kim wants this summit with the leader of the free world very badly. It will amount to a significant diplomatic victory for him and raise the stature of his regime tremendously. It is why he invited Trump in the first place, never expecting the American President to accept. Kim will do anything, say anything to ensure this summit takes place. A bilateral meeting between the two nations has been a North Korean goal for decades. Up until Trump, the U.S. position has been a multi-lateral meeting involving other concerned parties, China, South Korea, and Japan. Obviously, Trump is hoping for a home run. That fits his persona.

I will not get excited about this until two things happen. One, Trump actually goes, and that is in serious doubt if he is expecting Kim to actually give up something of value beforehand.

Two, Kim gives up something of value beforehand.

As has been pointed out, this momentous announcement is a big, fat nothing.

 

1. First, he rejected NATO. Then he changed his mind. What was the result of his confronting NATO? A big, fat zero.

2. The U.N., nothing has changed. Once again, you are gullible in believing Trump's rhetoric.

3. So what?

4. B.S.

5. B.S.

6. Kim has committed to nothing. He wants nothing more than to have bilateral talks with the American President. That has been the goal of the Kim regime since 1954, and Trump handed it to him on a platter, giving Kim a diplomatic victory while raising the status of North Korea. Once again, you are accepting Trump's rhetoric at face value. He made a bad mistake by accepting Kim's invitation, and now he is providing the groundwork for backing out of the talks. Just another example of creating a controversy, then letting it die out.

7. He withdrew only from the TPP. Member nations are not going to renegotiate to let him back in. He is in the process of destroying our trade agreements.

8. Great.

9. Our children and our grandchildren will pay for those rollbacks. Trump is thinking short term.

10. Except for being a cheerleader, Trump had nothing to do with the tax cuts. The entire bill was written by Republican lawmakers. Cutting taxes is a cherished Republican goal. Trump is not a Republican. He doesn't know what he is. He moves from liberal policies to conservative policies then back again. He is infamous for changing his mind. His tariff policy is liberal and is the brainchild of a Democrat, Peter Navarro.

I am not concerned about trade imbalances. Trump makes it sound like we are losing billions. We are not. We receive product from that trade that helps our vibrant, powerful economy. We have the largest economy in the world, nearly twice that of our nearest competitor, China. We have full employment.

Tell me something. What exactly is the problem?

He has not made deals with six countries in the TPP. Those deals were made prior to his administration. In 16 months, the great deal-maker has made one trade deal, and that was recently with South Korea. S.K.'s very survival is based on American friendship. So big deal. That's like a parent making a deal with his child.

I love his tweets.

"The man has a country to run not get down and grovel with a bunch of bunch of press dogs." First, you are endorsing a secret Presidency. Two, what is Trump hiding? If he is as innocent as he says he is, he should have nothing to fear from a "bunch of press dogs." Three, all other Presidents have held regular press conferences, but not this one. Four, we seem to agree Trump is incapable of properly managing his own press conference. Five,he is scared to death of the White House press corps. That is why he does everything he can to avoid them, and holds brief news conferences on the front lawn with Marine One churning away. That is totally unprofessional, but Trump doesn't care.

In fact, Trump doesn't care about a lot of things. He only cares about being the center of attention. If that requires making a fool of himself, so be it.

 

Is waterboarding a suspected prisoner worse than droning them?

 

Pompeo, Trump's choice for SecState, has defended the CIA’s use of torture during the George W. Bush administration, declaring in November 2016, “These men and women are not torturers, they are patriots,” and, “the programs being used were within the law, within the Constitution.”

Trump supports torture and waterboarding. "When ISIS is doing things that no one has ever heard of, since medieval times, would I feel strongly about waterboarding?" Trump said in an interview with ABC News. "As far as I'm concerned, we have to fight fire with fire." He added, "And if they [Pompeo and Mattis] do want to do (torture), I will work toward that end."

But do I feel it works? Absolutely, I feel it works.

Accordingly, Trump has nominated the darling of torture and waterboarding to be his next CIA director, replacing Pompeo. Her name is Gina Haspel, and she and Trump seem to be a perfect match.

 

Pompeo is expected to be confirmed by the Senate.

As CIA director, Pompeo has called for a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities and has expressed a hope that North Korea leader Kim Jong Un will soon be driven from power. While many Democrats regard him as extreme, they add that he has not shown independence from Trump.

In other words, Trump chose a sycophant. He no longer wants to hear different views. That is a sign of a weak President. The only viewpoints he wants to hear is his own because he is too weak to defend his views in light of criticism. That is why he avoids a regular press conference and explains why he fears the White House press corps.

He wants to be a secretive President and, not too surprisingly, his supporters agree. With his baggage they don't want Trump to face reporters in an open session much like what Sarah does routinely every week.

 

All statists support torture. Kidnapping someone at gunpoint and locking them in a cage because they didn't pay their taxes is cruel and unusual punishment.

 

Are you talking about the American government or just Trump?

 

Everyone who supports the existence of government