Trump 29: Divider In Chief or Liar In Chief? WHY NOT BOTH?

[onekidanddone]

Does anybody think Sean Hand-Job, Kellyanne Con-twit or Sarah-shut-up-a-bee ever read the responses to their tweets? Some of the responses are really funny and do a good job of slapping these TTs upside the head. I just wonder if they ever read them because the negative tweets stay up, and I'd think they wold want to delete them.

[WiseGirl]

3 hours ago, AmazonGrace said:

 

Good news for who? Certainly not my senior parents who live off of their portfolios.

Off to plan where to spend my extra $1.50...... oh yeah, right, straight to the swear jar.  To quote Red Forman "dumb ass"

[GreyhoundFan]

Alexandra Petri is always good for some laughs: "Donald Trump loves a parade"

Spoiler

“We can’t all be heroes, because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by,” as Will Rogers once said.

So. President Trump wants a parade. He went to France and saw a parade, and he wants one like they had, but bigger and creepier (which, incidentally, is similar to what France said after seeing the American Revolution).

What should this parade contain? Tanks, that much is certain. Jets, probably. A show of military might. “Military might” is much less terrifying than “military definitely will.”

And then some horses, and some people to walk behind the horses and retrieve what they leave behind.

Then there will be some men and women in fine clean uniforms with gleaming brass buttons, and some men and women in camouflage for a terrain they are not in. Then will come some drones flying in a neat formation, finally receiving some sort of grudging acknowledgment for their role in all this.

The drones will be followed by heroes of war (those who did not get captured).

We had better have some cannons, too, I think. And if the Navy is there, which of course it will have to be, we had better include some battleships.

We had better have some elephants as well, and if a parade has elephants it had better include also a long line of captives paying tribute to Rome as they march toward the gladiatorial arena, so those had better be found. Trump will enjoy those, I think.

Trump will be presented with a medal, honoring his service that time he rescued a Marine’s hat from blowing off.

There will be flags, thousands of them. They will fly so thickly that it will be impossible to say where they begin and where they end, or to even begin to number them. Everyone will stand to honor them. A marching band will play the national anthem continuously in case anyone is tempted to sit down.

Everyone will clap. Those who do not clap will be marked as traitors, and the drones will hover over them. It will be a joke and everyone will laugh.

This desire for parades is a quirk, nothing more, and there is nothing particularly bizarre about it. Trump loves a military parade; that is simply a fact about Trump that is known. What is the point of a military if no one gets to see how big and impressive it is and watch you wielding it? In life, there is the joy of possessing and the joy of being seen to possess. Has Trump ever known the first joy? Has he ever entirely severed it from the second? If no one sees you having something, is it even worth having?

Theoretically we have a military not because we want to parade it around, but so we can protect the actual things we really like (freedom, oil, in some order). But never mind. Trump wants a parade.

The parade will not end when the jets fly over, for the void a parade is ordered to fill will never be filled by a simple military parade, lasting no more than two hours.

It will continue. It must continue. All the most beautiful women in the world will march by in sashes and be ranked. All the self-proclaimed experts in their white coats will march with lowered eyes and accept chastening. And anyone who has marched elsewhere for any reason will doff their pink hat and accept discommendation.

Congress will march with enormous flags swallowing their lapels. People who marched in the past and can only be seen in gray scale on grainy old footage will march. This march will be very long and very silent, and it will start to resemble a funeral.

A great black and white film will be made of this wonderful spectacle (no, never mind, that has been done).

And when this parade too has passed, more will follow. It will go on long into the night, and children watching along the route will yawn and fall asleep on their fathers’ shoulders, the flags drooping in their tiny hands. But the parade will continue.

Televisions with human legs and reflective faces. Television personalities with the same. Magazine covers bearing Trump’s face. Magazine covers baring everything. The queen, via hologram.

Monsters of the air and deep. Two survivalists riding polar bears. Mount Rushmore. Every president, with an enormous papier-mache head.

Wait, Trump will say, in a whisper, as Melania moves to rise. Do you not see it is still going?

Everyone will freeze where they are, for nothing coming down the parade route will be visible to their eyes. But Trump will see it. Names will form on his lips that have not alighted there in decades. A teacher who never recognized his genius. Someone at Wharton who had said something just out of earshot and everyone around him had laughed, and then Trump had approached and the laughter had stopped. Roy. The pope, not this one or the last one, but the one before. Frederick Douglass. Women, nameless and faceless and apologetic. People of all kinds, begging forgiveness. And he will give it (what is the point in forgiving if you cannot be seen doing it?) — he will forgive them all.

The parade will go on for days. Maybe it will go on for weeks. Maybe it will go on for years. Maybe you will march too. But at the end, when it stops, it will be enough. It will finally be enough.

 

[apple1]

This guy started the domestic abuse (including significant physical abuse) of both of his previous wives on their honeymoons. There are photos. There are police reports. There was a restraining order. This was identified as part of his background investigation, but he still got the job.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (whom he formerly worked for) calls the reporting of this abuse a "vile attack".

Chief of Staff John Kelly says the guy "is a man of true integrity and honor".

Sarah Sanders says he is "of highest integrity and exemplary character".

Currently dating Hope Hicks.

I guess I missed something in reading comprehension and the meaning of words and language??

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rob-porter-white-house-aide-resigning-amid-abuse-allegations/

[GreyhoundFan]

Some laughs from Dana Milbank: "Want Trump to be less crazy? Clap for him more."

Spoiler

“I got a standing ovation. In fact, they said it was the biggest standing ovation since Peyton Manning had won the Super Bowl, and they said it was equal. I got a standing ovation. It lasted for a long period of time.”

— President Trump

“I live for the applause, applause, applause

“I live for the applause-plause, live for the applause-plause”

— Lady Gaga

Many are denouncing President Trump for saying Monday that those who didn’t applaud him during his State of the Union address were “un-American” and guilty of the capital offense of treason. But where others see outrage, I see opportunity.

So in need of praise is this fragile man that the lavishing or withholding of this commodity could be a negotiating tool: He gets more applause if he brings less crazy.

His need for us to rise and put hands together is so potent that, last month in Nashville, he commanded an audience to “get up” and give him a standing ovation. He further informed them that “you are so lucky that I gave you that privilege” of voting for him.

During last week’s State of the Union address, Trump applauded himself — noisily — several times and at one point beckoned to Democrats to applaud, putting his hands to his ears.

In October, Trump boasted no fewer than four times about the applause he had been given at a meeting with Senate Republicans: “Multiple standing ovations! . . . a love fest with standing ovations. . . . Really, they just gave me a standing O!” During the campaign and even earlier, he tweeted about his O’s.

Conversely, the president is angry when he does not hear clapping. At a Republican congressional retreat last week, he complained that during his address, Democrats “sat there stone cold, no smile, no applause.” By Monday, he had a solution: “Can we call that treason? Why not? I mean, they certainly didn’t seem to love our country very much.”

But perhaps there is a different solution, short of sending two-thirds of Americans to the electric chair. I propose a national service program based on applause. We’ll call it AmeriClaps.

Millions of AmeriClaps volunteers will applaud Trump daily. In exchange, Trump will agree to cease governing, leaving that to members of Congress, governors and a board of overseers selected by random digit dialing. The contribution categories:

Putin Level

Putin-Level Applauders will agree to clap for the president for 60 minutes a year, accompanied by mild praise of the sort given Trump by Russian President Vladimir Putin: “He is a very bright person, talented without any doubt.”

Congressional Level

Congressional-Level Applauders will agree to clap for the president for at least five hours annually, accompanied by moderate praise such as that given by Republican lawmakers after the tax cut: hailing Trump for “exquisite presidential leadership” (House Speaker Paul D. Ryan), having “a year of extraordinary accomplishment” and holding “the record” (Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell), “allowing us to have you as our president” (Rep. Diane Black) or saying “we would not be standing here if it were not for you” (House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy).

Cabinet Level

Cabinet-Level Applauders will clap for the president for 24 hours a year, donating heavy-to-extreme praise of the variety bestowed in actual Trump Cabinet meetings: “We thank you for the opportunity and the blessing that you’ve given us to serve your agenda . . . an incredible privilege . . . just so thrilled . . . we’re on your team . . . what an incredible honor . . . I can’t thank you enough . . . I can’t tell you how excited and enthusiastic folks are.”

Hatch Level

Hatch-Level Applauders must commit to 52 hours a year of applause — one hour per week — and praise in the fawning-to-sycophantic range of the sort given by Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, who told Trump: “We’re going to make this the greatest presidency that we’ve seen, not only in generations, but maybe ever.” Trump last week said he followed up with Hatch: “He actually once said I’m the greatest president in the history of our country. I said, ‘Does that include Lincoln and Washington?’ He said yes.”

Pence Level

Only the most devoted AmeriClaps volunteer will be able to sustain this commitment: a pledge to applaud Trump an hour every day while also praising Trump once every 12.5 seconds, as Vice President Pence did at a recent Cabinet meeting. Examples include: “It is just the greatest privilege of my life”; “You’ve restored American credibility”; “You’ve unleashed American energy”; “You’ve spurred an optimism in this country that’s setting records;” “I’m deeply humbled.”

I personally can commit right now to Putin-Level service and would consider Congressional Level. Democratic leaders should consider a Hatch-Level or even a Cabinet-Level contribution; you have nothing to lose but the skin on your hands.

Perhaps a brave few AmeriClappers will even attempt Pence Level — though I suspect that, given the choice, most would take the electric chair.

I think I'll go for GreyhoundFan (and probably @Destiny) level, which would consist of flipping off Dumpy at least twice daily for a year. I'm sure many of us here would happily sign up for that level.

[WiseGirl]

"I think I'll go for GreyhoundFan (and probably @Destiny) level, which would consist of flipping off Dumpy at least twice daily for a year"

I'm already at that level.  My child is tired of me yelling at the television every day.

[onekidanddone]

4 minutes ago, WiseGirl said:

"I think I'll go for GreyhoundFan (and probably @Destiny) level, which would consist of flipping off Dumpy at least twice daily for a year"

I'm already at that level.  My child is tired of me yelling at the television every day.

My husband and daughter are sick of it as well.

Daughter: "Mom! Why are you reading about Trump. You always hyperventilate when you do".

Husband: "What do you expect? Everything he says is a lie, and continuing to talk about him isn't going to change that".

42 minutes ago, apple1 said:

This guy started the domestic abuse (including significant physical abuse) of both of his previous wives on their honeymoons. There are photos. There are police reports. There was a restraining order. This was identified as part of his background investigation, but he still got the job.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (whom he formerly worked for) calls the reporting of this abuse a "vile attack".

Chief of Staff John Kelly says the guy "is a man of true integrity and honor".

Sarah Sanders says he is "of highest integrity and exemplary character".

Currently dating Hope Hicks.

I guess I missed something in reading comprehension and the meaning of words and language??

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rob-porter-white-house-aide-resigning-amid-abuse-allegations/

Shouldn't there be some rule about dating a co-worker in the White House?

[fraurosena]

1 hour ago, GreyhoundFan said:

Alexandra Petri is always good for some laughs: "Donald Trump loves a parade"

I misread that as "Donald Trump love parade".  

Wouldn't that be a sight to see marching along Pennsylvania Avenue?  

[fraurosena]

Well, he's nothing if not hypocritical.

 

[onekidanddone]

4 minutes ago, fraurosena said:

Well, he's nothing if not hypocritical.

 

They are white.

[apple1]

More:

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/07/politics/rob-porter-white-house-who-knew/index.html

Quote

When Hicks and Kelly discussed the matter on Tuesday, both agreed the White House should defend Porter, sources said. But by the next day, it was evident the show of support wouldn't quiet the controversy.

Neither Porter nor Hicks were present in a Wednesday morning senior staff meeting, a White House official said. The White House press office was sent scrambling after more allegations against Porter were made, and several staffers spent the morning preparing to deal with the fallout.

Kelly, who has relied on Porter to execute a strict system of information control to the President, insisted that he'd be able to weather the allegations and remain in his job, according to a White House official. But Porter resigned anyway, over Kelly's objections. Kelly has long insisted that Porter stay in his job, even as he considered approaches from the private sector, including from Uber, according to one administration source.

With all the things to be angry about related to this administration - this might not seem so bad. But it is to me. Very symptomatic of the entire f-ing mess. Hicks up to her eyeballs (she must REALLY lack judgment, to say the least, to be dating and defending someone who beat up not one but two ex-wives). Kelly defending. Sanders lying. Him intimately involved in the West Wing after not being able to qualify for a security clearance. Involved in writing the SOTU.

It goes on and on.

[GreyhoundFan]

"Trump doesn’t need a parade. He needs a Roman triumph."

Spoiler

The Post’s scoop about President Trump’s plans for a grand military parade in Washington brings to mind Evelyn Waugh’s classic satire about England’s upper crust in the early days of World War II, “Put Out More Flags,” named after a Chinese proverb:

“A man getting drunk at a farewell party should strike a musical tone, in order to strengthen his spirit . . . and a drunk military man should order gallons and put out more flags in order to increase his military splendor.”

I love a parade as much as the next guy (though perhaps not as much as the president), but there are problems with this particular idea, as The Post’s Greg Jaffe and Philip Rucker note. Seventy-ton tanks “would chew up Pennsylvania Avenue blacktop,” big displays of missile launchers would make us look like North Korea, and the expensive parade would belie the Pentagon’s poverty pleas while perhaps also reminding people that the commander in chief sat out Vietnam with bone spurs.

There is a better way.

The obvious purpose of the parade is not to celebrate the troops, as the White House professes, but to celebrate Trump. Hence, his wish to have the parade before the November election (and the military’s wish to have it after). Given the real goal, the model that would best suit Trump has much older roots than a May Day or even a Bastille Day parade. What Trump needs is a Roman triumph.

The triumph was a public ceremony, including a parade, to celebrate as a near-deity the emperor or a triumphant general — complete with laurels, thrown flowers, adoring troops, war spoils and vanquished enemies in chains. It is, in short, just the sort of parade Trump would enjoy if done in his honor.

The ritual was originally meant for a returning general who had conquered territory and killed at least 5,000 of the enemy, but it was later changed to honor emperors and members of their families. Trump qualifies as a victorious commander, having vanquished enemies foreign (Islamic State) and domestic (Cryin’ Chuck Schumer), and as an emperor, having said that those who don’t applaud him commit treason against the state.

First in the Roman triumph procession were the magistrates and members of the Senate; first in the Trump triumph would come Devin Nunes, Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Tom Cotton and the other magistrates supportive of Trump. Next in the Roman triumph came the spoils of war: gold and silver, treasures, and paintings and carvings showing moments from the conflict. In Trump’s triumph, the spoils would include models of Trump hotel and golf properties, the nuclear football, a float with a very large button, and chunks of the border wall, carried by Mexicans.

Next in the Roman triumph, to the crowd’s jeers, came the captured prisoners in chains: leaders, soldiers and sometimes family members, to be put on display after the parade or executed. Trump’s triumph would feature all his foes, in irons: the “dreamers,” NFL players who kneel for the national anthem, women who alleged sexual misconduct by Trump, the fake-news media, Robert Mueller, James Comey, FBI agents, Puerto Ricans, Trump’s primary opponents, Hillary Clinton, Steve Bannon.

Next, in a cloud of incense, would come the Roman general, or emperor, in a chariot driven by four horses, holding a laurel branch and scepter and wearing a purple and gold tunic and a painted toga. A slave would hold a golden crown over his head. The emperor’s children and courtiers rode alongside his carriage on horseback, followed by the soldiers in togas and laurel crowns, shouting “Io triumphe” — Hail, triumphant — at their leader.

Trump’s triumph would use identical trappings, though he might eschew the toga for a more tasteful flight suit. Donald Jr., Eric Trump, Jared Kushner, Stephen Miller and John Kelly would escort him on horseback. Instead of troops shouting “Hail triumphant” at Trump, handling that duty would be Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson and other Fox News personalities.

Toward the end of the Roman triumph procession, two white oxen were sacrificed at the Temple of Jupiter and the prisoners killed. Trump’s triumph, by contrast, would pause outside the Trump International Hotel. Though executing his opponents could be problematic, Trump might stand in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue and shoot somebody, just for symbolism.

Mission accomplished!

There’s only one problem with this plan, as I see it. In the Roman triumph, a slave would ride with the general in his chariot and repeatedly whisper into his ear, “Memento mori”: Remember, you are mortal.

For our parading president, this could be a dealbreaker.

 

[GreyhoundFan]

This is about the Democratic rebuttal memo to Nunes' pamphlet of fiction.

[onekidanddone]

I tweeted to Sean Handjob the other day and got blocked. I had to have a code sent to my phone to get unblocked. Then tonight I got a lock out warning trying to respond to Sarah fuck-off-a-bee. It said I'd be in Twitter jail for 24 hours, but I still appear to be up and running. I feel like I just got yelled at by a mean parent or a teacher. Like my hand just got slapped.  I suppose it should be a badge of honor, but why did it make me so uneasy?

I didn't use profanity, but I did call Trump 'rich white trash'. This should be a lesson.  I need to stop tweeting the same way I needed to stop Facebook.  I'll just stick to following the music and train stuff.

[LeftCoastLurker]

Wow...just wow. DH and I are both registered democrats, always have been. For some strange reason he got mail from tRump today...it's a survey. It is absolutely hysterical! I don't have time to type in all of them right now (but I will), so I'll just leave you with this one. Answers available to us are Agree/Disagree/No Opinion (and I'm actually surprised they included Disagree!)

Question 14:

The Justice Department should investigate the Clinton Foundation to determine whether Hillary Clinton misused her position as Secretary of State to channel hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign contributions into it and its affiliated organizations.

Just wow...

[Destiny]

8 hours ago, GreyhoundFan said:

Some laughs from Dana Milbank: "Want Trump to be less crazy? Clap for him more."

  Hide contents

“I got a standing ovation. In fact, they said it was the biggest standing ovation since Peyton Manning had won the Super Bowl, and they said it was equal. I got a standing ovation. It lasted for a long period of time.”

— President Trump

“I live for the applause, applause, applause

“I live for the applause-plause, live for the applause-plause”

— Lady Gaga

Many are denouncing President Trump for saying Monday that those who didn’t applaud him during his State of the Union address were “un-American” and guilty of the capital offense of treason. But where others see outrage, I see opportunity.

So in need of praise is this fragile man that the lavishing or withholding of this commodity could be a negotiating tool: He gets more applause if he brings less crazy.

His need for us to rise and put hands together is so potent that, last month in Nashville, he commanded an audience to “get up” and give him a standing ovation. He further informed them that “you are so lucky that I gave you that privilege” of voting for him.

During last week’s State of the Union address, Trump applauded himself — noisily — several times and at one point beckoned to Democrats to applaud, putting his hands to his ears.

In October, Trump boasted no fewer than four times about the applause he had been given at a meeting with Senate Republicans: “Multiple standing ovations! . . . a love fest with standing ovations. . . . Really, they just gave me a standing O!” During the campaign and even earlier, he tweeted about his O’s.

Conversely, the president is angry when he does not hear clapping. At a Republican congressional retreat last week, he complained that during his address, Democrats “sat there stone cold, no smile, no applause.” By Monday, he had a solution: “Can we call that treason? Why not? I mean, they certainly didn’t seem to love our country very much.”

But perhaps there is a different solution, short of sending two-thirds of Americans to the electric chair. I propose a national service program based on applause. We’ll call it AmeriClaps.

Millions of AmeriClaps volunteers will applaud Trump daily. In exchange, Trump will agree to cease governing, leaving that to members of Congress, governors and a board of overseers selected by random digit dialing. The contribution categories:

Putin Level

Putin-Level Applauders will agree to clap for the president for 60 minutes a year, accompanied by mild praise of the sort given Trump by Russian President Vladimir Putin: “He is a very bright person, talented without any doubt.”

Congressional Level

Congressional-Level Applauders will agree to clap for the president for at least five hours annually, accompanied by moderate praise such as that given by Republican lawmakers after the tax cut: hailing Trump for “exquisite presidential leadership” (House Speaker Paul D. Ryan), having “a year of extraordinary accomplishment” and holding “the record” (Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell), “allowing us to have you as our president” (Rep. Diane Black) or saying “we would not be standing here if it were not for you” (House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy).

Cabinet Level

Cabinet-Level Applauders will clap for the president for 24 hours a year, donating heavy-to-extreme praise of the variety bestowed in actual Trump Cabinet meetings: “We thank you for the opportunity and the blessing that you’ve given us to serve your agenda . . . an incredible privilege . . . just so thrilled . . . we’re on your team . . . what an incredible honor . . . I can’t thank you enough . . . I can’t tell you how excited and enthusiastic folks are.”

Hatch Level

Hatch-Level Applauders must commit to 52 hours a year of applause — one hour per week — and praise in the fawning-to-sycophantic range of the sort given by Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, who told Trump: “We’re going to make this the greatest presidency that we’ve seen, not only in generations, but maybe ever.” Trump last week said he followed up with Hatch: “He actually once said I’m the greatest president in the history of our country. I said, ‘Does that include Lincoln and Washington?’ He said yes.”

Pence Level

Only the most devoted AmeriClaps volunteer will be able to sustain this commitment: a pledge to applaud Trump an hour every day while also praising Trump once every 12.5 seconds, as Vice President Pence did at a recent Cabinet meeting. Examples include: “It is just the greatest privilege of my life”; “You’ve restored American credibility”; “You’ve unleashed American energy”; “You’ve spurred an optimism in this country that’s setting records;” “I’m deeply humbled.”

I personally can commit right now to Putin-Level service and would consider Congressional Level. Democratic leaders should consider a Hatch-Level or even a Cabinet-Level contribution; you have nothing to lose but the skin on your hands.

Perhaps a brave few AmeriClappers will even attempt Pence Level — though I suspect that, given the choice, most would take the electric chair.

I think I'll go for GreyhoundFan (and probably @Destiny) level, which would consist of flipping off Dumpy at least twice daily for a year. I'm sure many of us here would happily sign up for that level.

Challenge accepted! (and yes, I curse him out at least twice away, on a good day).

1 hour ago, LeftCoastLurker said:

Wow...just wow. DH and I are both registered democrats, always have been. For some strange reason he got mail from tRump today...it's a survey. It is absolutely hysterical! I don't have time to type in all of them right now (but I will), so I'll just leave you with this one. Answers available to us are Agree/Disagree/No Opinion (and I'm actually surprised they included Disagree!)

Question 14:

The Justice Department should investigate the Clinton Foundation to determine whether Hillary Clinton misused her position as Secretary of State to channel hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign contributions into it and its affiliated organizations.

Just wow...

Yeah. I take them now and then for the lulz. I won't give them my actual email though, but those surveys? Not even a little biased. NOPE, NO SIREE!

[fraurosena]

What a quandary for the presidunce!

Will he retract his request for a military parade? Or will he choose to ignore his most favored advisors?  

'Fox & Friends' host: Trump's military parade 'seems like a waste of money'

Quote

“Fox & Friends” host Brian Kilmeade said Wednesday that President Trump’s idea for a military parade in Washington, D.C., “seems like a waste of money.”

During a short panel discussion on the story, Kilmeade’s fellow host Steve Doocy said the Pentagon would “love” the parade.

“There are a lot of people at the Pentagon who would love to show off all of the equipment and personnel,” Doocy said.

“I don’t know,” Kilmeade replied. “It seems like a waste of money.”

The Washington Post reported Tuesday that Trump directed top Pentagon officials to explore holding a military parade after repeatedly expressing interest in a display similar to Bastille Day celebrations he attended last year in France.

The Department of Defense confirmed Trump’s request in a statement, saying it was “in the process of determining specific details” about the proposed event.

The Pentagon is reportedly eyeing holding the parade on Veterans Day, which this year coincides with the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

Officials told The Washington Post that the concept is still in its early stages, but that the parade could cost millions of dollars.

When asked by a reporter Wednesday why the Pentagon would “divert time, energy, financial resources” to fulfilling Trump’s request for a military parade, Defense Secretary James Mattis said Trump’s request was an example of Trump’s “respect” for the armed forces.

“I think what my responsibility is to make certain I lay out the strategy and make the argument for the oversight of Congress to make the determination of fully funding us. As far as the parade goes again, the president’s respect, his fondness for the military, I think is reflected in him asking for these options,” Mattis said.

Trump’s request for the parade has drawn criticism from a number of government officials.

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) on Tuesday said Trump’s request shows he’s “a Napoleon in the making,” and former State Department spokesman John Kirby said the idea “is just beneath us as a nation.”

 

[fraurosena]

Guess who's coming to breakfast?

Yep. The Russians!

Big Russian delegation anticipated for prayer breakfast in Washington

Quote

President Donald Trump will attend the National Prayer Breakfast Thursday, a prime networking opportunity for Beltway insiders. But this year's event is also an opportunity for dozens of Russians. As many as 60 representatives from Russia's religious and political elite are expected to attend, more than three times last year's number, according to Russian officials.

One Russian official who was invited, Aleksandr Zharkov, told the Russian business newspaper RBC, "It's a very unique situation, because despite all these difficulties we have (in relations with the US), the quota for Russians is very high this year."

Added Zharkov, "It is a sin not to use any platform possible for negotiations between different layers of society."

Two Russian officials said a "Russia house" -- a space to hold informal meetings -- would be organized at the event. However, the Russian government is not sending an official delegation.

The spike in the number of Russians attending the event compared to last year comes amid multiple ongoing investigations into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia as well as continued fallout from Russian interference in the 2016 election.

The National Prayer Breakfast is organized by the Fellowship Foundation, a nonprofit religious organization designed to bring together leaders from the political, religious and business realm, on behalf of the US Congress.

A. Larry Ross, a spokesman at the Fellowship Foundation, told CNN, "I can confirm that this year, the Breakfast will be attended by more than 3,800 individuals representing over 130 countries and territories around the world. Approximately 55 are coming from Russia, including a group of 35 young professionals -- millennial doctors, lawyers and business leaders in their 20s and 30s -- invited out of a context of relationship and faith."

Participants said they received invitations on behalf of the organization, but the foundation does not disclose publicly how its guest list is composed or vetted.

Some Russian officials who have received invitations won't be attending the breakfast. Anatoly Aksakov, a Russian lawmaker, told CNN he had decided not to go following the US Treasury's publication last month of a list of Russian oligarchs and officials close to the Kremlin.

Russia has issued a travel warning to its citizens, saying US law enforcement and intelligence are on a "hunt" to detain Russian citizens traveling abroad.

It's also unclear whether one Russian official under the spotlight -- Deputy Governor of the Bank of Russia Alexander Torshin -- will attend. Torshin told Russian state news agency TASS he had been a fixture at the event for the past 12 years. But some members of Congress want to know about his connections to the National Rifle Association, following reports by McClatchy that the FBI is investigating whether Torshin funneled money to the NRA during the 2016 campaign.

Torshin has regularly attended NRA conferences and welcomed an NRA delegation to Moscow in December 2015. The Bank of Russia did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Torshin.

Sen. Ron Wyden, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has written to Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin about the reports, saying, "The national security as well as legal implications of these reports make it imperative that Congress conduct a thorough investigation."

Wyden also wrote to the NRA, seeking details of any financial transactions with Russian officials.

"I am specifically troubled by the possibility that Russian-backed shell companies or intermediaries may have circumvented laws designed to prohibit foreign meddling in our elections," the Oregon Democrat wrote.

Torshin attended last year's National Prayer Breakfast with his special assistant, Maria Butina. In a long Facebook post after the event, Butina wrote, "American liberal (in the American sense of the word "liberal") media are attacking their president over and over again for his position on Russia. This is the time when Russia itself has to make a step towards [America] and show that we are ready to cooperate with Trump."

Torshin himself was due to meet Trump at the Washington Hilton before last year's breakfast, but the White House canceled the invitation at short notice, Butina told Yahoo News last year.

Many of the Russians attending the breakfast this year are senior religious figures. Konstantin Bendas, a bishop of the Russian Union of Christians of the Evangelical Faith, said he felt the need to go this year because the US-Russian relationship had deteriorated so much.

"It's the right time for believers -- Christian people -- to unite for at least a day, bend the knee and pray for peace and unity without politics," Bendas told CNN.

But the bishop was also skeptical of the motives of some attendees.

"I suppose the majority of members of the (Russian) delegation don't want to pray; they want to mingle," he said. And many might be attending to "try to solve their own problems, that is -- their name possibly appearing in future sanctions lists."

 

[AnywhereButHere]

14 hours ago, GreyhoundFan said:

This is about the Democratic rebuttal memo to Nunes' pamphlet of fiction.

Well, it took him the better part of a day to read a four page memo, so ten pages must be really taxing for him. Besides, I imagine the democrats' memo actually uses adult words, so he may need actual adults to explain it to him.

[LeftCoastLurker]

I posted last night about a survey that my husband received via USPS from the orange monster. This is just weird. My husband is a registered democrat (always has been), we live in a state (CA) that went 61.6% for Clinton. Our county voted 68.8% for Clinton (22% for tRump). I found it pretty funny that the envelope for us to return the survey in was NOT postage paid. There are so many WTFs its hilarious in a very scary way. Note that I have transcribed the questions exactly, including capitalization. I'm still trying to decide whether or not to fill it out and return it. My husband says NO.

So, without further ado, here are the 16 questions on the survey. I put it under a spoiler for those who don't care!

Spoiler

1. Do you have an interest as serving as a volunteer to help at your local Republican Party headquarters or to assist a Republican candidate in your area? Yes/No

2. President Trump is putting our nation on track to an improving economy, strengthened security, and expanded opportunity for all Americans. Agree/Disagree/No Opinion

3. Building a wall on the southern border is essential to discouraging illegal immigration and protecting our nation's sovereignty. Agree/Disagree/No Opinion

4. The federal government must continue to cut onerous regulations put in play by the Obama Administration in order to free up industry and businesses to create jobs and compete in the world marketplace. Agree/Disagree/No Opinion

5. Repealing and replacing ObamaCare is essential to improving health insurance costs, guaranteeing access to good doctors, and ensuring that America's health care system remains the envy of the world. Agree/Disagree/No Opinion

6. We need to continue to provide our nation's military with the necessary funding for training and equipment to maintain their position as the most effective and lethal fighting force on the planet. Agree/Disagree/No Opinion

7. The Pentagon must rewrite the Obama-era Rules of Engagement to allow U.S. troops in the field the freedom to take offensive action to go after and destroy terrorist strongholds. Agree/Disagree/No Opinion

8. Reforming and restructuring the federal tax code will allow all Americans to keep more of what they earn and help grow our economy. A/D/NO

9. Immigrants and refugees from terrorist-controlled countries and countries known to harbor terrorists should be put through an extreme vetting process to enter the United States. A/D/NO

10. The federal government should withhold as much funding as possible from "sanctuary cities" that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement agencies. A/D/NO

11. Reducing the federal corporate income tax will help American businesses complete internationally and encourage companies to maintain their headquarters and facilities in the United States. A/D/NO

12. The Trump Administration must continue to bring our trading-partner countries to the table to renegotiate trade deals to level the playing field for the American worker and American business. A/D/NO

13. Universities and colleges who receive federal funding should be required to guarantee protection of the 1st Amendment free speech rights of every student, regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation. A/D/NO

14. The Justice Department should investigate the Clinton Foundation to determine whether Hillary Clinton misused her position as Secretary of State to channel hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign contributions into it and its affiliated organizations A/D/NO

15. President Trump cannot fully implement his Winning Agenda without Republican control of both chambers of Congress. A/D/NO

16. President Trump is the leader of the Republican Party, and Members of Congress and candidates for office should embrace his Winning Agenda. A/D/NO

 

[apple1]

13 minutes ago, LeftCoastLurker said:

I posted last night about a survey that my husband received via USPS from the orange monster. This is just weird. My husband is a registered democrat (always has been), we live in a state (CA) that went 61.6% for Clinton. Our county voted 68.8% for Clinton (22% for tRump). I found it pretty funny that the envelope for us to return the survey in was NOT postage paid. There are so many WTFs its hilarious in a very scary way. Note that I have transcribed the questions exactly, including capitalization. I'm still trying to decide whether or not to fill it out and return it. My husband says NO.

So, without further ado, here are the 16 questions on the survey. I put it under a spoiler for those who don't care!

  Hide contents

1. Do you have an interest as serving as a volunteer to help at your local Republican Party headquarters or to assist a Republican candidate in your area? Yes/No

2. President Trump is putting our nation on track to an improving economy, strengthened security, and expanded opportunity for all Americans. Agree/Disagree/No Opinion

3. Building a wall on the southern border is essential to discouraging illegal immigration and protecting our nation's sovereignty. Agree/Disagree/No Opinion

4. The federal government must continue to cut onerous regulations put in play by the Obama Administration in order to free up industry and businesses to create jobs and compete in the world marketplace. Agree/Disagree/No Opinion

5. Repealing and replacing ObamaCare is essential to improving health insurance costs, guaranteeing access to good doctors, and ensuring that America's health care system remains the envy of the world. Agree/Disagree/No Opinion

6. We need to continue to provide our nation's military with the necessary funding for training and equipment to maintain their position as the most effective and lethal fighting force on the planet. Agree/Disagree/No Opinion

7. The Pentagon must rewrite the Obama-era Rules of Engagement to allow U.S. troops in the field the freedom to take offensive action to go after and destroy terrorist strongholds. Agree/Disagree/No Opinion

8. Reforming and restructuring the federal tax code will allow all Americans to keep more of what they earn and help grow our economy. A/D/NO

9. Immigrants and refugees from terrorist-controlled countries and countries known to harbor terrorists should be put through an extreme vetting process to enter the United States. A/D/NO

10. The federal government should withhold as much funding as possible from "sanctuary cities" that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement agencies. A/D/NO

11. Reducing the federal corporate income tax will help American businesses complete internationally and encourage companies to maintain their headquarters and facilities in the United States. A/D/NO

12. The Trump Administration must continue to bring our trading-partner countries to the table to renegotiate trade deals to level the playing field for the American worker and American business. A/D/NO

13. Universities and colleges who receive federal funding should be required to guarantee protection of the 1st Amendment free speech rights of every student, regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation. A/D/NO

14. The Justice Department should investigate the Clinton Foundation to determine whether Hillary Clinton misused her position as Secretary of State to channel hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign contributions into it and its affiliated organizations A/D/NO

15. President Trump cannot fully implement his Winning Agenda without Republican control of both chambers of Congress. A/D/NO

16. President Trump is the leader of the Republican Party, and Members of Congress and candidates for office should embrace his Winning Agenda. A/D/NO

 

Ha - before I opened the spoiler, I said to myself, Self, They will somehow get Hillary in here.

 

And they did.

[Workingmom]

16 minutes ago, LeftCoastLurker said:

Repealing and replacing ObamaCare is essential to improving health insurance costs, guaranteeing access to good doctors, and ensuring that America's health care system remains the envy of the world. Agree/Disagree/No Opinion

Not even a little bit envious. The healthcare ( and its easy access & and the monthly costs of my insurance) in my country are among the best in the world. My son has  (diagnosed) ASD and a heartproblem . I never had to worry about bills or access to doctors or therapy . So, not even a little bit green with envie.

[formergothardite]

Spoiler

25 minutes ago, LeftCoastLurker said:

1. Do you have an interest as serving as a volunteer to help at your local Republican Party headquarters or to assist a Republican candidate in your area? Yes/No

Sure, I'll show up and ask a lot of pesky question.

5. Repealing and replacing ObamaCare is essential to improving health insurance costs, guaranteeing access to good doctors, and ensuring that America's health care system remains the envy of the world. Agree/Disagree/No Opinion

I'm fairly sure the world doesn't envy our healthcare.

12. The Trump Administration must continue to bring our trading-partner countries to the table to renegotiate trade deals to level the playing field for the American worker and American business. A/D/NO

Trump couldn't negotiate himself out of a paper bag that had both ends ripped open. 

14. The Justice Department should investigate the Clinton Foundation to determine whether Hillary Clinton misused her position as Secretary of State to channel hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign contributions into it and its affiliated organizations A/D/NO

Oh good grief.

15. President Trump cannot fully implement his Winning Agenda without Republican control of both chambers of Congress. A/D/NO 

This is true, not the part about Winning Agenda, just that he can't do shit unless both chambers are filled with GOP members who will bow to him.

16. President Trump is the leader of the Republican Party, and Members of Congress and candidates for office should embrace his Winning Agenda. A/D/NO

No, because their job isn't to support him, their job is to work for their constituents. This part shows that he wants to be a dictator. 

 

 

[Audrey2]

@formergothardite, I need to read your posts more carefully. While not paying careful attention, I read 15 and 16 as Trump's Whining Agenda.

[CTRLZero]

@LeftCoastLurker - thanks for transcribing that survey.  I'd get out my red crayon, make a few pertinent comments, and send it on back.

On the topic of abuser Rob Porter, how the heck did he get by that background check?  Apparently he didn't have a security clearance (whatever that terminology means in the White House).  Another total loser [formerly] on Trump's staff. 

Anyway, I was looking at his job description.  Is Was he in charge of reducing all documents to one page, with bullet points, adding Trump's name, and illustrations?   That might actually be a pretty demanding job, dumbing it down to the presidunce's comprehension level and hoping it distracts him from Fox & Friends, parade planning and tweeting. 

From CNN:

When John Kelly replaced Reince Priebus as White House chief of staff, Porter's role expanded. Kelly -- looking to correct an issue that plagued the White House under Priebus -- imposed a strict system of information flow to the President, elevating the importance of Porter's task in managing the documents, news clippings and briefing books that entered the Oval Office.