I started to listen to Thiel on C Span and quickly realized that there was nothing there behind his words. Not even an energy to defend them. Rambling and inconsistent.
49
This mope is the the political commentary equivalent of a person who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. The mindless drivel and intellectually flatulent pronouncements inconsistently focusing us on the details of one person's statements, while ignoring the details of another, reflect either a second- (third?) rate political mind, or a willfully manipulative conniver.
Either way, it's just so much mush being spewed in hopes it will fool some.
Either way, it's just so much mush being spewed in hopes it will fool some.
44
I beg to differ with Mr. Thiel who thinks that citizens that favor reasonable regulations are "children". The proverbial "children" are those that believe, like real children, that they can do whatever they want whenever they want, no matter the consequences to others. Regulations are like parental controls, well meaning, but not always well received and totally necessary since we as a species have demonstrated over and over again that self-regulation is inadequate. At their most basic level regulations prioritize fairness and the rule of law. As for Thiel and his ilk, go live somewhere that doesn't have this and see how well you like it. I can name a few dozen third world countries you might find suitable.
77
Theil's position on Trump is so dumb, you have to think he's just been very lucky instead of smart in accumulating his wealth. He wants us to NOT listen to Trump, but listen to Trump. All the things he says don't matter. It's just the other things he says that matter and that's what we should hear.
You remember Bush and Cheney said dumb things all the time. Well, turns out they DID all of those dumb things, and more. We've been digging out of that dumb ditch for 8 years.
I say listen to what Trump says, and really hear the stuff about dissing our allies, groping and degrading women, avoiding and possibly cheating on taxes, constantly lying about everything, degrading war heroes, disabled people, Muslims, Mexicans, Jews, and too much to type and you can make only one decision. He must be stopped next week. Theil is a paraiah in Silicon Valley
You remember Bush and Cheney said dumb things all the time. Well, turns out they DID all of those dumb things, and more. We've been digging out of that dumb ditch for 8 years.
I say listen to what Trump says, and really hear the stuff about dissing our allies, groping and degrading women, avoiding and possibly cheating on taxes, constantly lying about everything, degrading war heroes, disabled people, Muslims, Mexicans, Jews, and too much to type and you can make only one decision. He must be stopped next week. Theil is a paraiah in Silicon Valley
59
If the only reason people listen to him is because he is rich, you can stop listening to him. He seems no smarter, nor has deeper insights, then the Fox News junkies with whom I work.
NEXT!
NEXT!
52
Paypal's business practices are as scandalous as Trump's. Essentially, they are a bank that doesn't call itself a bank so they can skirt regulations about misuse of other people's money. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau should have them at the top of their list.
44
Actually, I'm not concerned at all with what Donald Trump says. I'm concerned with his actions, which are deplorable.
43
Peter Thiel is a very white privileged German American immigrant plutocrat gay male. Trump is the grandson of German draft dodger and son of a German American real estate baron multimillionaire.
Two really wiseguys who had the great merit and insight to not be born black nor brown in America. There are more German Americans than any other kind of American.
A libertarian believes in the claw and fang survival of the fittest nature described by Darwin. There is no humility nor empathy for other humans who are not your brothers nor sisters. Thiel and Trump are both scavengers and parasites by nature and nurture.
Two really wiseguys who had the great merit and insight to not be born black nor brown in America. There are more German Americans than any other kind of American.
A libertarian believes in the claw and fang survival of the fittest nature described by Darwin. There is no humility nor empathy for other humans who are not your brothers nor sisters. Thiel and Trump are both scavengers and parasites by nature and nurture.
79
Every time I use my PayPal account I get emails In French trying to obtain my identify info
Every time
Every time
7
Boycott every business Trump and/or his acolyte Thiel touch.
39
People with a lot of money tend to think they are experts on everything. They also tend to forget that if one of their bright ideas turns out badly, they themselves can retreat to their wealth-protected private life while the rest of us pay for their mistake.
60
Mr Thiel must be drinking kool aid to come up with a description of Trump that his own mother wouldn't recognize. It is amazing to me how little informed Mr. Thiel, the libertarian, is about a man who has shown himself to be a pathological liar, viciously vindictive, totally attracted to dictators. He himself has shown us what little regard he has for democracy, the rule of law, respect for people of various races and nationalities. He prefers white people and rich people.
Mr. Thiel must share these same sentiments with Trump if he thinks the man is capable of becoming president of the united States of America. Thank God most Americans have more sense and so far the vote is in favor of Hillary.
Mr. Thiel must share these same sentiments with Trump if he thinks the man is capable of becoming president of the united States of America. Thank God most Americans have more sense and so far the vote is in favor of Hillary.
33
Call me a lunatic but when Clinton says she's going to destroy the coal industry and all the jobs people have with it, I know the country is going to be in good hands.
16
Oh, how to the self-deluded does the obvious appear obscure.
28
Libertarian? Thiel is just another uber-wealthy guy looking to reduce his taxes. On second thought. I guess that aligns him with most Libertarians.
48
No thanks Pete
I'll go with what comes out of Trump mouth, not the so far unseen policies or positions that you seem to think he possess.
I'll go with what comes out of Trump mouth, not the so far unseen policies or positions that you seem to think he possess.
56
Anyone who tells you not to get bogged down in the details is running a con. Pure and simple.
The very first question that should spring to the mind of anyone being told this is, what exactly is it he doesn't want me to know?
The very first question that should spring to the mind of anyone being told this is, what exactly is it he doesn't want me to know?
20
I attended one of Peter Thiel's speeches just over a year ago. He started out making sense, with some contrarian statements and (let's face it) some well-deserved skewering of leftish pretensions. And then he just ran completely off the rails.
I'm not surprised that he feels attracted to Donald Trump. Clinton's reliance on facts and logic would be like garlic to a vampire.
I'm not surprised that he feels attracted to Donald Trump. Clinton's reliance on facts and logic would be like garlic to a vampire.
18
Thief is proving once again that having lots of money has no relationship with intelligence or common sense. I suspect he simply doesn't want his taxes to go up, and the rest is pretzel logic rationalization. Most Americans don't want any part of his libertarian nightmare. Go to Somalia if you don't want a functioning government. I want regulations. I want to trade with the rest of the world. I want someone sane in the White House.
47
thank you for this summary - - -
previously,
i had no idea that Mr. Thiel was so enthralled by all of the attributes of Comrade Putin that he so values in DJT.
financial excesses often know no borders nor any moral compass or conscience of any kind.
clearly,
the stars must almost be in their assigned alignment.
not quite yet though,
me thinks this last-gasp of the white-misyonginist-rascist core is about to begin to pass into history's dust bins.
far Better for us to be Stronger Together.
14
He makes me truly embarrassed as a gay man. Oh, but... right.... I'm forgetting: money trumps (pun intended) everything else.
30
To borrow and modify a line from Woody Allen, Stanford makes mistakes too.
Seriously, libertarianism is just a ridiculous philosophy. Thiel may be a brilliant guy in certain respects, but in terms of politics and public policy ... not so much. Good luck to him, though, on using his megawealth to conquer death!
Seriously, libertarianism is just a ridiculous philosophy. Thiel may be a brilliant guy in certain respects, but in terms of politics and public policy ... not so much. Good luck to him, though, on using his megawealth to conquer death!
25
Get rid of government regulations hurting businesses? Pray tell what are those? I keep hearing that phrase but nothing is specifically listed. I happen to LOVE my clean air and water regulations. Every regulation arose out of harm to somebody or some thing. Most regulations actually create sub economies of jobs. Somebody has to build and install the scrubbers to protect us from coal fired plants. Somebody has to keep on top of companies dumping toxic chemicals into rivers and the ground water. If only we had more regulations on fracking. There is definitely something wrong with people able to light their faucet water on fire. Peter Thiel lives in a gilded cage above it all I guess, chirping away.
49
Perhaps his sexual orientation makes Mr. Thiel particularly insensitive to Mr. Trump's preferred groping targets. Does Trump's perverted sociopathology count for nothing in Theil's analysis?
25
Looks like Herr Thiel is making the same mistake his forebears made 85 years ago when they argued a certain other demagogue's shocking pronouncements shouldn't be taken at face value.
55
Thiel and the Koch brothers have very similar Libertarian philosophies.
24
Bill Mahr asked on Fridays show why half of America hates and despises the democrats. This is why y'all have denigrated our intellect, morality, culture, and lifestyles for 40 years. We will never support or believe you again, and soon we will win. Because we grow your food, drive your trucks, fix your cars, repair and build your homes, and do pretty much everything that allows a modern society to exist. We, for the most part, don't care about race, sexuality, or gender, which should be the ideal. But because we don't elevate and celebrate our differences we are accused of sexism, racism, and homophobia. Because we want an inclusive homogeneous culture that welcomes all who are willing to join and add their distinctiveness to the greater whole, rather than remain a balkanized island of suspicion and difference, we are called xenophobic. Because we value the unchanging words in the constitution as sacrosanct and embodying values that transcend the passage of time to speak to the great truths of freedom and liberty inherent in all humans vs a "living" constitution that makes the transient values of the moment so much shifting sand under our feet, you call us backwards. These are the reason y'all will lose, because you stand for nothing other than what ever is the current vogue.
7
I know many folks who are from similar backgrounds and their beliefs and ideals are entirely opposite of yours. Being sanctimonious does not make your views any more valid than theirs. Nice try.
40
Oh baloney. Many working class people vote Democratic and many wealthy people vote Republican. And really? The true victims of racism are white males? And why is it that the constitution is so sacrosanct? Oh yeah, it was created by white males.
38
I'm an Engineer - I know Engineers can do very well without ever being particularly good judges of character.
47
If someone says they are a Libertarian but supports a Fascist, are they really a Libertarian? Being that they are diametrically opposed philosophies, could that person really be a Fascist?
42
As a politically-acceptable excuse, women haters state that they won't vote for Clinton because she is dishonest and corrupt.
But when reminded of Trump's flood of lies and admitted corruption (he boasted about paying off politicians), they say, "Well, he's just being Donald."
The hypocrisy of the misogynists stinks to high heaven all the way down to low hell.
But when reminded of Trump's flood of lies and admitted corruption (he boasted about paying off politicians), they say, "Well, he's just being Donald."
The hypocrisy of the misogynists stinks to high heaven all the way down to low hell.
52
Both sides have their idiots. For me it comes down to this: if Trump is elected we have a piggish boor in the office. If Clinton is elected we have a felon. Over 60% of the American people believe Clinton is guilty. Many don't care. But, care or not, going forward how good is it for 60% of our people to think that a politically-unprosecuted felon is our president?
A few years back the"r were studies about which people in the world were the happiest. The biggest determinant was the perception of governmental corruption. Clinton wins, 60% will believe our top level leaders are corrupt.
A few years back the"r were studies about which people in the world were the happiest. The biggest determinant was the perception of governmental corruption. Clinton wins, 60% will believe our top level leaders are corrupt.
1
Many people think that Trump is a boorish, narcissistic, felon with anemotional maturity of a 10 year old and the intelligence level of a midge and potential conflicts of interest that jeopardize our national interests.
21
Trump's boorishness is the lesser aspect of the problem. His chronic insults aimed at our allies, horrifying encouragement of nuclear proliferation, threats to unilaterally terminate or alter treaties, explode the deficit with tax breaks benefiting primarily the top one per cent, his xenophobia and racist remarks, his virtually complete ignorance of history...these are the greater problem with a Trump candidacy and presidency. It appears fairly clear that our allies are stupefied and terrified that this man is even considered to represent the United States of America. So should we be.
18
...except that Clinton is NOT a felon in any sense, either prosecuted or not. That is an imaginary theme. So if people like you want to be happy, they should stop imagining things that do not exist and try living in the real world.
24
Thank you. Exactly right.
7
Thiel is so blind by his conservative beliefs that he forgets that if Trump would be president he would likely try to do the same that Putin, his mentor, did in Russia: make it illegal to be gay.
Thiel is out of his mind frankly.
Fortunately the majority of Americans are not out of their minds and will vote Trump into oblivion.
Thiel is out of his mind frankly.
Fortunately the majority of Americans are not out of their minds and will vote Trump into oblivion.
28
All the Trump supporters I've spoken to describe a Trump that doesn't exist. What I've seen among Trump voters and Trump inclined voters is that at some point Trump managed to adopt enough disparate positions that he created a kind of "empty vessel" into which people could insert their own key interest while at the same time downplaying his positions that they don't agree with. I have had people tell me point blank, "yes, but he won't really do that." when asked about things like immigration, refugees, etc....
34
If ever T Rump were to win, America will cease to be the beacon of liberty as our allies wouldn't trust us, immigrants would be blocked by that "bigly yuge" wall, our enemies would be embolden to invade its neighbors, the stock markets would crash, the budget would never be balanced due to more giveaways to the 1% as well as ramping up the industrial military complex. Whatever gains we had as a nation on gender and racial equality would vanish. Welcome to McCarthyism and retreat to the medieval ages.
Is so hard to accept Hillary Clinton who has a lifetime of achievement on improving the health and welfare of children, women , and men so hard to accept as our President? Isn't being prepared and knowledgeable on a broad range of issues a requisite for what we expect from a President? Isn't that what we tell our children to do in school?
Do we have to deal with a lecherous greedy forever-lying little man who will be on trial on November 28 for the fraud of Trump University and in mid-December for a sexual assault on a minor?
The stakes couldn't be more clear and dire.
Is so hard to accept Hillary Clinton who has a lifetime of achievement on improving the health and welfare of children, women , and men so hard to accept as our President? Isn't being prepared and knowledgeable on a broad range of issues a requisite for what we expect from a President? Isn't that what we tell our children to do in school?
Do we have to deal with a lecherous greedy forever-lying little man who will be on trial on November 28 for the fraud of Trump University and in mid-December for a sexual assault on a minor?
The stakes couldn't be more clear and dire.
36
In the words of the screenwriter and sometimes pundit John Rogers:
“There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs."
“There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs."
64
Much of Atlas Shrugged is materialising. I guess Rogers dwells with the orcs.
Again denigration and ridicule. And y'all wonder why we would rather blow up the culture of elites with a an orange boor than keep it intact with a lawless establishment canidate
1
Peter Thiel does not accept the identity demanded by the progressive left and take is place in the liberal caste system. Vikas Bajaj obviously does.
4
Maybe he should take his Google glasses off.
18
Peter Thiel's comments make me want to cancel my PayPal account. I find his comments to be not only ludicrous but delusional. He should stick to coding....
125
Thiel is no longer with PayPal. However, he is a member of the Board at Facebook. Might make more sense to pull out of FB (assuming you have an account).
13
Why do people assume that someone successful or knowledgeable in one field will know anything profound about an entirely different field? I went to medical school and subsequently completed specialty training in Internal Medicine and subspecialty training in Pulmonary Medicine. However I have no expertise in neurosurgery, economics, police work or automobile repair (the list could go on and on). Why do we assume that billionaires who are successful in some specific business endeavor are any different? Mr Trump has by his own admission both made and lost millions, how does that qualify him to be president or to know what is wrong with the economy or the tax code? I successfully shop every week in my local grocery store, can I now claim that I can fix the problems of our agricultural sector or that I know what climate change will mean for the future food supply? If Mr Trump claims that he will get all the right experts involved, how come he can't listen to them when it comes to things like debate prep?
60
I believe Mr. Thiel has been caught up in the latest craze of making everything a fantasy game. For those incapable of playing a real sport, or enacting real changes in a democratic republic the old-fashioned way, by hard work and compromise, they take the easy way out. They engage in the world of fantasy. And no one deserves to be put in that category more than the one Donald Trump. The fantasy he has created about himself is only surpassed by the delusions of grandeur his envisions of his ability to be the president of the greatest nation on earth. Only a idiot like Trump could think he was capable. A man with an ego that bloated and distorted needs a psychiatric couch to lay upon not the Oval Office to ponder his navel.
DD
Manhattan
DD
Manhattan
21
What was evident to me while watching the National Press Club interview with Mr. Thiel? Well, he hems and haws when trying to explain what Trump's real positions are. So, how would Trump solve the issues our country faces? One theory might be that a Trump administration will be so dysfunctional that millions of other citizens will vote for no government at all in 2020. The real Trump 2016 slogan should be "Government will be your problem once and for all."
22
In socially liberal circles Peter Thiel is a well-known misogynistic gay man.
In a 2009 essay for the libertarian Cato Institute’s Cato Unbound, Thiel argued that allowing women to vote had resulted in disaster:
"Since 1920, the vast increase in welfare beneficiaries and the extension of the franchise to women — two constituencies that are notoriously tough for libertarians — have rendered the notion of ‘capitalist democracy’ into an oxymoron."
As a gay man, he's a self-styled expert who has written about sexual conflict between men and women, argued, in part, that date rape doesn't exist and that it's an after-sex-regret phenomenon.
The list goes on and on. Thiel's outspoken misogyny lines up with other overtly and vocally misogynistic males in Trump's circle of staffers, surrogates and supporters.
Thiel's activist anti-feminism is really what unites Trump surrogates and backers. Let's not pretend it's about the man, Trump, himself.
In a 2009 essay for the libertarian Cato Institute’s Cato Unbound, Thiel argued that allowing women to vote had resulted in disaster:
"Since 1920, the vast increase in welfare beneficiaries and the extension of the franchise to women — two constituencies that are notoriously tough for libertarians — have rendered the notion of ‘capitalist democracy’ into an oxymoron."
As a gay man, he's a self-styled expert who has written about sexual conflict between men and women, argued, in part, that date rape doesn't exist and that it's an after-sex-regret phenomenon.
The list goes on and on. Thiel's outspoken misogyny lines up with other overtly and vocally misogynistic males in Trump's circle of staffers, surrogates and supporters.
Thiel's activist anti-feminism is really what unites Trump surrogates and backers. Let's not pretend it's about the man, Trump, himself.
97
We are at this horrible crossroads where many people are seriously looking at Trump due to the corruption of our elites.
Obama and Clinton have serially lied about many things, and their policy positions are out of sync with the majority of Americans that they claim to represent.
Poll the American people on: Obamacare, Common Core, ISIS, fracking, charter schools, police brutality, or a dozen other issues and you'll get the inverse of the Obama-Clinton elitist agenda.
Obama and Clinton have serially lied about many things, and their policy positions are out of sync with the majority of Americans that they claim to represent.
Poll the American people on: Obamacare, Common Core, ISIS, fracking, charter schools, police brutality, or a dozen other issues and you'll get the inverse of the Obama-Clinton elitist agenda.
1
Mr. Thiel may be sincere, but he is sincerely acting on the interest of his own class of billionaires with little or no regard for the rest of the country. He is of course free to his opinion, and based on the Citizens United case he is entitled to a 1.25 million dollar voice for that opinion.
But for the rest of us, the emperor Trump has no cloths. Sadly, for Mr. Thiel that doesn't matter as long as he promises to cut taxes. After all, the poor billionaires among us are so beset by taxes and government regulations that making that second or third billion has become all the more difficult.
But for the rest of us, the emperor Trump has no cloths. Sadly, for Mr. Thiel that doesn't matter as long as he promises to cut taxes. After all, the poor billionaires among us are so beset by taxes and government regulations that making that second or third billion has become all the more difficult.
29
Peter Thiel brought the elites to the water. Unfortunately, he cannot make them drink.
7
And this is why y'all are destined to lose in the long run.
1
I'm Hillary Clinton and I approve this message.
The e-mails have shown that 'editorials' like this are edited and approved by The Campaign. The mask is off geniuses and HRC is cruising for disaster next week.
The e-mails have shown that 'editorials' like this are edited and approved by The Campaign. The mask is off geniuses and HRC is cruising for disaster next week.
Funny. I thought Hillary Clinton was a fantasy candidate. Flagrantly corrupt, a mediocre senator elected from a rotten borough, Secretary of State in a failed Presidential administration, and ran a "charity" foundation that is being investigated by the FBI.
Yet according to Obama ,"The most qualified person ever to seek the Presidency."
Yet according to Obama ,"The most qualified person ever to seek the Presidency."
2
Clearly you don't let facts get in the way of your discourse! "Flagrantly corrupt"? No, that's a trope. Hillary Clinton has to be one of the most heavily investigated Americans ever, and yet there has never been a shred of real proof of real wrongdoing. "Mediocre senator elected from a rotten borough"? I guess now you are trolling. "Failed presidential administration"? Ha! Now you are being funny. President Obama is sure to go down in history as one of our finest presidents, despite overwhelming and completely unfair opposition (ne venom) from Republicans. "'Charity' foundation that is being investigated by the FBI"? Where did you get that one from? You don't go much below the surface, do you? Please try to read up on the details (accurate ones) of the Clinton Foundation--what it does well, and what it has been criticized for--and then come back to us.
31
Only a fool Vikas would not pay attention to Hilary’s words when she is talking about foreign places.
After all she has form when it comes to starting wars or have you forgotten Vikas.
Think Iraq, Libya….
After all she has form when it comes to starting wars or have you forgotten Vikas.
Think Iraq, Libya….
1
Hey, Mike "strike"....are you referring to
The Iraq that BUSH blew up?
The Iraq BUSH attacked looking for non-existent WMD's?
The Iraq that BUSH had no plan to govern?
The Iraq BUSH turned mercenaries on?
The Iraq that BUSH blew up?
The Iraq BUSH attacked looking for non-existent WMD's?
The Iraq that BUSH had no plan to govern?
The Iraq BUSH turned mercenaries on?
24
The main problem is not necessarily Trumpism but Trump. If the same platform would not be put forward by a conspiracy obsessed, feeble minded, narcissistic person who never grew out of his terrible 2-s, I might even listen.
6
"But as Mr. Thiel said, this is not the time to get bogged down in details."
A most foolish conclusion by Mr. Thiel. I would bet my life that Mr. Thiel did not become a billionaire without paying attention to the details.
But much wiser men than Mr. Thiel know that "the devil is always in the details"
A most foolish conclusion by Mr. Thiel. I would bet my life that Mr. Thiel did not become a billionaire without paying attention to the details.
But much wiser men than Mr. Thiel know that "the devil is always in the details"
36
Reading the comments here, one has to wonder if anyone bothers to think for themselves anymore.
All I see and hear is a pampered billionaire who seeks a government favorable to protecting his billions kissing the backside of another pampered billionaire seeking a government favorable to protecting his billions.
72
People need to learn a bit of logic. Something bad about Trump does not become something good about Hillary any more that it becomes something good about Ryan or Biden or anyone.
What is true of Hillary is what is true of Hillary and what is true of Trump is true of Trump. Hillary was a secretary of state. Trump was a businessman and a private person otherwise.
The two cases are unrelated.
I TOO accept some of the criticisms of Trump. But that does not, for me, become a reason to shove Hillary's problems under the rug.
What is true of Hillary is what is true of Hillary and what is true of Trump is true of Trump. Hillary was a secretary of state. Trump was a businessman and a private person otherwise.
The two cases are unrelated.
I TOO accept some of the criticisms of Trump. But that does not, for me, become a reason to shove Hillary's problems under the rug.
3
Aruna,
No one is trying to 'shove' things under the rug, despite your innuendo.
Point of fact: Trump has run businesses; in many high provile ones, he ran them into Bankruptcy.
Point of fact: He has *zero* experience for the job he seeks.
None.
I'll take HRC's issues over his inept, unqualified, and frankly misogynistic blather any day.
No one is trying to 'shove' things under the rug, despite your innuendo.
Point of fact: Trump has run businesses; in many high provile ones, he ran them into Bankruptcy.
Point of fact: He has *zero* experience for the job he seeks.
None.
I'll take HRC's issues over his inept, unqualified, and frankly misogynistic blather any day.
34
Lots of money does not equal lots of wisdom.
42
Such reasoning looks like this: "Don't listen to the copious amount of words and evidence that lead to the conclusion that Trump is unfit, reckless, and woefully ignorant, but make sure to read into everything Hillary says even when there is little or no evidence to support it. Trump's bragging about sexual assault and wanting to use nuclear weapons are 'just words'! But when Hillary talks about 'public versus private positions' we should lock her up!"
17
If you read Mr. Thiel's book, you understand his preference for Trump: it's the "I Got Mine" party line. Shameless, in every sense of the word.
15
Readers should watch the Thiel's press conference in its entirety (available online) to get a full picture of what his views are about. His reasoning is precisely why people are voting for Trump.
3
So being a billionaire does not guarantee a full functioning brain. Microeconomics and macro economy are two different animals altogether.
Macroeconomics refers to the big picture. Peter Thiel lives in a very little world.
Macroeconomics refers to the big picture. Peter Thiel lives in a very little world.
15
That Trump has correctly identified some of the problems in our country (but certainly not all) in no way, shape or form makes him qualified to solve them. He is grossly incompetent, narcissistic and unwilling to consider scientifically proven facts (look at his response to the DNA testing in the Central Park Jogger case) if they don't agree with his gut.
15
The majority of the American population tend to equate a high financial net worth (or in the case of Mr. Trump, the illusion of a high net worth) with high intelligence. It is a neurosis that has contributed to the political rise of Donald Trump and leads gullible people to believe that Mr. Thiel has something intelligent to offer beyond the narrow scope of his business success.
This national mental illness should be identified and confronted.
This national mental illness should be identified and confronted.
12
Even more disturbing than the fact that Clinton is an unethical, corrupt and lying criminal is the fact that her supporters don't care. Pathetic!
"In the world according to Peter Thiel, the technology entrepreneur and billionaire, liberals and journalists are easily distracted children. Preoccupied with the words that come out of Donald Trump’s mouth, they are not taking “seriously” the Republican candidate’s diagnosis of what is hurting the country: wars, trade and government regulations."
Truer words are rarely spoken regarding liberals.
Truer words are rarely spoken regarding liberals.
1
Another loser, who was in the right place at the right time and now thinks that he is way smarter and more astute than anyone.
17
The answer to how any decent person could support a known liar like Clinton who has been enriching herself and Bubba since she was first elected Senator from NY is easily understood when one remembers Joy Behar's statement on The View back in January that she doesn't care that Ted Kennedy left a woman to drown of Bill Clinton is a rapist. She would still vote for them because they're Liberals. And that my friends explains why Democracy no longer works in America. The country has lost its moral compass when a patriot like Trump is in a close contest with a blatantly unethical for-sale-to-the-highest-bidder liar like Hillary Clinton.
The Clinton crime machine forgot to pay off PayPal.
1
Peter Thiel is a perfect example of why being a successful businessman does not supply any wisdom on what it takes to govern a country. On the contrary, for many a certain arrogance comes with wealth. The feeling that there is no need for any restrictions, no obligations other than protect and increase that wealth, and that the ability to make a lot of money conveys expertise on fields of which they are completely ignorant, particularly so when it comes to politics.
63
"Peter Thiel is a perfect example of why being a successful businessman does not supply any wisdom on what it takes to govern a country."
You're spot on, here. Katy Perry, Jay-Z, Kanye West, K.K., J-Lo, Brittany Spears, among others, probably have more wisdom on this frontier.
You're spot on, here. Katy Perry, Jay-Z, Kanye West, K.K., J-Lo, Brittany Spears, among others, probably have more wisdom on this frontier.
I just read the Wikipedia article on Peter Thiel from which I learned that this person has used his colossal wealth to support practically every right wing hack and Ayn Rand acolyte known in the American political pantheon. It's a good reminder: making big bucks in a business deal doesn't necessarily improve common sense nor does it do much for empathy.
224
Your place of domicile says it all.... no need to comment further....
Well, unfortunately, he proved that he has no shortage of common sense in his short talk, which you can see on youtube.
People like you doom us to move from fiscal crisis to fiscal crisis and from war to war.
People like you doom us to move from fiscal crisis to fiscal crisis and from war to war.
WOW. No stereotyping there!
2
Libertarians live in a world in which they are always strong, independent, and above the petty restrictions of the nanny state. These men don't want to think about the fact that they were once helpless babies. They refuse to believe that they will become old and sick and in need of help, and they will swallow absolute bunk to avoid coming to grips with the idea. Thiel pursues crackpot schemes to achieve immortality like massive blood transfusions from adolescent donors, and he's not the only Silicon Valley type to have made a fool of himself chasing eternal life. A number of engineers and investors actually harbor resentment toward science, because scientific breakthroughs don't come at the speed of engineering breakthroughs, and they think it's because scientists are either timid, held back by evil regulatory oversight, or not very bright. Yet despite a spectacular and expensive record of failure at everything from longevity research to finding a cure for Parkinson's, these men never lose their belief that they know more about scientific research than the researchers. This may be at the root of Thiel's hostility toward higher education; too much knowledge could interfere with his vision of the world. It's little wonder that he refuses to take Trump's words literally, because to Thiel, as to any crank, his fantasy always outweighs the facts.
124
Doesn't everyone have a fantasy candidate?
8
I think he makes a good point that Trump represents a sea change, which is desperately needed. While Trump is not perfect, he is the best choice to set a new course.
Dems are so hung up on the rhetoric, when it is really about more sensible immigration, focusing on trade, jobs. Hillary is never specific about anything that will make a difference.
Dems are so hung up on the rhetoric, when it is really about more sensible immigration, focusing on trade, jobs. Hillary is never specific about anything that will make a difference.
4
Joe,
A change?
Give your car keys to an eight year old and tell him to drive you to work. That too, is a 'change'....neither of which are good for America.
A change?
Give your car keys to an eight year old and tell him to drive you to work. That too, is a 'change'....neither of which are good for America.
12
Trump is basic "conservatism" (white nationalism/racism/nativism plus an antipathy to the progressive income tax) with a nod towards ideas associated with the Democrats (suspicions about the benefits of free trading arrangments with cheap labor countries and a willingness to increase infrastructure spending).
3
Donald Trump has the attention span of a gnat - there is nothing in his past to indicate he is prepared or will even want the office of POTUS if he wins. Saying specific things like "we're going to build a wall, and Mexico will pay for it" don't mean anything when it's absolutely absurd to think it's even possible.
13
So Mr. Thiel says.....What Trump represents isn’t crazy and it isn't going away.
Questions
1. What does Trump represent other than racist, misogynistic, and xenophobic viewpoints? Seriously. He says one thing and then reverses it or claims he never said it (despite 99% of what he says is right there on tape).
2. And if this is what Trump represents, why are you supporting him? Do your business endeavors discriminate against women, persons of color, and those that believe in non-Christian faiths?
Personally, I hope that what Trump represents DOES go away because I don't want to live in a country where hate comes before anything else.
Questions
1. What does Trump represent other than racist, misogynistic, and xenophobic viewpoints? Seriously. He says one thing and then reverses it or claims he never said it (despite 99% of what he says is right there on tape).
2. And if this is what Trump represents, why are you supporting him? Do your business endeavors discriminate against women, persons of color, and those that believe in non-Christian faiths?
Personally, I hope that what Trump represents DOES go away because I don't want to live in a country where hate comes before anything else.
98
YOu need to watch Thiel's speech on YouTube yourself. Your questions are easily answered.
Listen to Mr Thiel's speech in its entirety.
". What does Trump represent other than racist, misogynistic, and xenophobic viewpoints?"
Trump is opposed to regime change. While the NYT has never discussed this, when Gaddafi was lynched, Mrs. Clinton said, "We came, we saw, he died" and laughed and clapped her hands. But more than half the people drowned in the Mediterranean are people from Gaddafi's Libya.
As for "racist, misogynistic, and xenophobic ," these are all liberal interpretations based on some of Trump's behavior. They leave out his good relationships with his daughter Ivanka, his ex-wife Ivana and Trump's endorsement by Ben Carson.
I am not saying that Trump is the most open minded person on the planet - he is not. But the words you use are exaggerations, believed by people who listen ONLY to Democrats, not to Republicans or independents, and not EVEN to facts.
Trump is opposed to regime change. While the NYT has never discussed this, when Gaddafi was lynched, Mrs. Clinton said, "We came, we saw, he died" and laughed and clapped her hands. But more than half the people drowned in the Mediterranean are people from Gaddafi's Libya.
As for "racist, misogynistic, and xenophobic ," these are all liberal interpretations based on some of Trump's behavior. They leave out his good relationships with his daughter Ivanka, his ex-wife Ivana and Trump's endorsement by Ben Carson.
I am not saying that Trump is the most open minded person on the planet - he is not. But the words you use are exaggerations, believed by people who listen ONLY to Democrats, not to Republicans or independents, and not EVEN to facts.
Thiel's remarks to the National Press Club today, save for a few passages, could have been delivered by Barack Obama. They don't sound like Trump or any other Republican.
3
MKR,
You and I were listening to two very different speeches.
You and I were listening to two very different speeches.
7
Mr. Thiel seems like an angry man with a chip on his shoulder and an axe to grind. A man who is brilliant but vindictive enough to support a con man and grifter. What does Peter Thiel get out of a Trump presidency?
49
"What does Peter Thiel get out of a Trump presidency?" His software company, Palantir, builds systems for the government, including the CIA. You can't make this stuff up.
13
The greatest president may not be able to solve the world's problems, but an inept president will inevitably make them much worse. Trump is inept in all aspects of life, let alone anything resembling leadership of a nation. Bush 43 was astoundingly qualified in comparison, and look at the horrid mess he left behind. The libertarians once again show how little they understand the task of governing.
65
"Trump is inept in all aspects of life,"
After New York City had flailed around for six years, spending more than 13 million dollars, Trump persuaded mayor Koch to let him do the job of fixing the Wollman rink. He did it in four months and spent less than a quarter of what NYC had spent, $250,000 less than what was authorized.
Some of his ventures have been failures but others have been brilliant successes.
NYT IS a source for truth, by and large, but if you think it is a source for the WHOLE truth, you are mistaken.
After New York City had flailed around for six years, spending more than 13 million dollars, Trump persuaded mayor Koch to let him do the job of fixing the Wollman rink. He did it in four months and spent less than a quarter of what NYC had spent, $250,000 less than what was authorized.
Some of his ventures have been failures but others have been brilliant successes.
NYT IS a source for truth, by and large, but if you think it is a source for the WHOLE truth, you are mistaken.
So, you are equating building an ice skating rink to the Presidency?
8
Can Mr. Thiel please remind his dear friend Mr. Trump to focus on the big picture first and provide more solid policy outlines of Trump's own, instead of tweeting and picking on fights with every single, petty comment coming on Trump's own way? If that happens, we all can focus on Trump's BIG PICTURE....Interestingly enough we need Thiel to remind us about what PICTURE Trump has been presenting here...
12
Peter Thiel, like Trump, is living proof that great wealth is no indicator of great character.
221
Or brains.
7
A Libertarian?
Have you read the Libertarian Platform?
Here's a few points in it:
No IRS
No Social Security
No Medicare/Medicaid
No social welfare: SNAP, TANF. WIC, food stamps, housing
No public healthcare
No regulations on trade, any trade
No laws on any weapons
No Department of Education, Agriculture, Interior, Commerce
No laws on religion
No income taxes
No banking regulations
No minimum wages
Poor? Rely on the "voluntary efforts of private groups and individuals".
Parents have ABSOLUTE authority over their children.
Parents are also the sole providers of their children's education.
This is a cult.
Uber-right-wing. Extreme.Tea-party fanaticism.
Be warned.
It is only for those who don't have a thought in their heads on how a society is formed and functions.
It is a male-fantasy where men sit around oiling their guns while their ignorant children play at their feet because there is no school.
And, while Libertarians are VERY clear on guns, they aren't so clear on a female's right to abortion OR contraception.
This is a male-only world, maybe one step above the world of Boko-Haram.
Consider what you believe a balanced society to be....
.... because this isn't it.
Don't believe me?
Google: Libertarian Party Platform.
Get "bogged down" in the details: Please!
Have you read the Libertarian Platform?
Here's a few points in it:
No IRS
No Social Security
No Medicare/Medicaid
No social welfare: SNAP, TANF. WIC, food stamps, housing
No public healthcare
No regulations on trade, any trade
No laws on any weapons
No Department of Education, Agriculture, Interior, Commerce
No laws on religion
No income taxes
No banking regulations
No minimum wages
Poor? Rely on the "voluntary efforts of private groups and individuals".
Parents have ABSOLUTE authority over their children.
Parents are also the sole providers of their children's education.
This is a cult.
Uber-right-wing. Extreme.Tea-party fanaticism.
Be warned.
It is only for those who don't have a thought in their heads on how a society is formed and functions.
It is a male-fantasy where men sit around oiling their guns while their ignorant children play at their feet because there is no school.
And, while Libertarians are VERY clear on guns, they aren't so clear on a female's right to abortion OR contraception.
This is a male-only world, maybe one step above the world of Boko-Haram.
Consider what you believe a balanced society to be....
.... because this isn't it.
Don't believe me?
Google: Libertarian Party Platform.
Get "bogged down" in the details: Please!
203
this will work only if one is as rich as Thiel himself (and Trump). Otherwise the rest of us need all that we have in the government.
4
Wow. Thanks. Scary.
6
There are only two kinds of people in the world: those that feel the right to tell others what to do and those that want to live their lives and respect others' rights to do the same. We know what type you are. That you confuse "right wing" with "libertarian" shows how little you understand.
Appreciating the sarcasm of the last line ("Let's focus on the big picture..."), it seems as though Mr. Thiel has tried to do precisely that and managed to miss the picture entirely. There is no question that Mr. Thiel is a successful business person and entrepreneur, unlike Mr. Trump (whose success is measured more by those left behind than by what he has accomplished). There is no question that Mr. Thiel is passionate about his beliefs (witness his take-down of Gawker). But those qualities do not make Mr. Thiel any more an an astute observer of the world and political realities than Mr. Trump's background affords him.
Other than his success in the internet world, and his billions, what qualifications does he put forward for policy decisions and those best able to deal with them? None.
Once again, the public and the press assume that because he has so far surpassed the "American dream" (mega bucks, self-sufficient, self-starter) he somehow has become important on the national stage.
Listen to him talk about start-ups, definitely, ask him to discuss management practices, of course, let him pontificate on business ethics (something Mr. Trump might benefit from!) but ... please ... don't give him time or space to talk about stuff of which he has no idea and less expertise. It's a waste of all our time...
Other than his success in the internet world, and his billions, what qualifications does he put forward for policy decisions and those best able to deal with them? None.
Once again, the public and the press assume that because he has so far surpassed the "American dream" (mega bucks, self-sufficient, self-starter) he somehow has become important on the national stage.
Listen to him talk about start-ups, definitely, ask him to discuss management practices, of course, let him pontificate on business ethics (something Mr. Trump might benefit from!) but ... please ... don't give him time or space to talk about stuff of which he has no idea and less expertise. It's a waste of all our time...
182
I wouldn't consider his work on getting Gawker disappear an altruistic effort at all. At the root of it he was taking revenge for outing him as a gay man. So no surprise if he is as vindictive as DJT is after all.
8
Success in one field does not necessarily translate into expertise in anything else. In that, Mr. Thiel appears to be the rule that confirms he is no exception, at best perhaps a brilliant techy who may suffer from idiot savant tunnel vision.
Maybe he just likes the attention he can buy and thus feels kinship with his hero. Maybe he's just a contrarian because it works.
The big picture is a very small Trump. Now Mr. Thiel is shrinking as well.
Maybe he just likes the attention he can buy and thus feels kinship with his hero. Maybe he's just a contrarian because it works.
The big picture is a very small Trump. Now Mr. Thiel is shrinking as well.
31
It's also part of the big picture if Mr. Trump's campaign is in collusion with Russian hackers acting on Putin's orders:
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/cover_story/2016/10/was_...
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/cover_story/2016/10/was_...
3
Mr. Thiel's argument is further undermined when analyzing Mr. Trump's pessimistic diction and belittling tone. How can one say that a bully will not start a fight in a high stress situation? As it would seem, that is all Mr. Trump does; he enrages people with deadly passion, polarizing them both beneficially and detrimentally. Riots and hate crimes have occurred in tune with his foreboding outlook on the future of America. He has proclaimed that he will consider using nuclear weapons. Its not just his diction that is off-putting; its his insults too. Mr. Trump belittles and berates without discrimination, and brags about himself. The man cannot even put his ego aside to even say "I'm sorry," which—fortunately for him—his opponent cannot either. While entertaining, Mr. Trump's negotiations with Putin would undoubtedly spiral into a clash of egos, with neither surrendering even an ounce his self-respect.
8
"...using nuclear weapons." and also bring back Giuliani-esque 'stop and frisk'.
2
Whatever acumen Mr. Thiel may have possessed to help found PayPal and amass great wealth obviously doesn't generalize to politics and social theory. If he is able to gather enough shipping containers to build his proposed floating libertarian country, I have several nominations to make for fellow citizens. If their ocean-borne empire ever runs into tsunamis, hurricanes, typhoons, famine, plague, the Chinese Navy, etc., we should respect their libertarian philosophy and allow them to fend for themselves.
134
Just cause he's rich doesn't mean he's smart.... and the compelling evidence is that he's supporting trump....
It's the very definition of 'ipso facto'....
It's the very definition of 'ipso facto'....
24
Mr. Thiel has made a lot of money. Oh boy, we're impressed. He made a lot of money with a way to, yes, move money around from here to there. Gosh. Meanwhile, he neglected to note that there's other things around. Oh my. Somehow, like The Donald, he feels he is really really smart. Believe me. To be honest with you. Trust me. He knows. Now he's telling you. Maybe we should ask Mr. Their what the meaning of life is. Bet he'll tell us. Because he knows. He's made a lot of money. (Re-run loop).
21
Big picture:
Narcissistic Personality Disorder is progressively more dangerous to everyone else the more power an individual accumulates.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder is progressively more dangerous to everyone else the more power an individual accumulates.
10
Big picture - the economy was in a nose dive, the auto industry was about to go bust, the country was losing over 800,000 jobs. Obama won and steadied the economy. He was unable to find partners in the GOP, what with Mitch McConnell calling for him to be a one-term President. And now, almost eight years later, the economy is stabilized, unemployment at historic lows, no new wars have been started.
Trump wins. He will start a trade war with anyone within earshot, especially China. He will deport 11 million undocumented people and tear apart families. He will close the EPA and abolish Obamacare on day one. He will set back women's and minorities' rights, back to the good old days when America was great. He will probably bomb Iran and North Korea at least and any other country that tweets with a hint of disrespect.
Big Picture - the economy will go into another tailspin. All the lesser educated and unemployed who believe in his ability to rekindle the economy will be toast. The ultra rich will be happy with less and less taxes they have to pay.
And, as a matter of personal interest for Mr. Thiel, he will roll back any progress made on civil rights for gays.
Now, I wonder if that is what Mr. Thiel really wants.
Trump wins. He will start a trade war with anyone within earshot, especially China. He will deport 11 million undocumented people and tear apart families. He will close the EPA and abolish Obamacare on day one. He will set back women's and minorities' rights, back to the good old days when America was great. He will probably bomb Iran and North Korea at least and any other country that tweets with a hint of disrespect.
Big Picture - the economy will go into another tailspin. All the lesser educated and unemployed who believe in his ability to rekindle the economy will be toast. The ultra rich will be happy with less and less taxes they have to pay.
And, as a matter of personal interest for Mr. Thiel, he will roll back any progress made on civil rights for gays.
Now, I wonder if that is what Mr. Thiel really wants.
13
True enough, the four types of Trump supporters still left appear to be, to me, either 1) delusional, 2) insane, 3) bigoted, or 4) highly unintelligent. I'll give Mr. Thiel the benefit of the doubt and assume he's just delusional.
But anybody, flat out anybody, who can still support that ignorant fascist Trump at this point, is someone I will never trust again, on anything, no matter what. Their judgement is severely low and they accept the lies of a buffoon. Nothing they ever say again is going to be believable to me.
But anybody, flat out anybody, who can still support that ignorant fascist Trump at this point, is someone I will never trust again, on anything, no matter what. Their judgement is severely low and they accept the lies of a buffoon. Nothing they ever say again is going to be believable to me.
80
With so much evidence about reckless Trump, Mr. Thiel is either blind and deaf or willfully ignorant of crooked lying Trump's ways, a hypocrite that is shortsighted and confused by the facts. this vulgar bully is corrosively ignorant and shamelessly unscrupulous about indicting others of the same crimes he himself is so well 'endowed' with. That Thiel is defending this narcissist is an outrage, and an insult to decency.
14
It's mighty curious that Mr. Thiel says he's a libertarian yet supports a candidate who believes the presidency gives him powers of a dictator. It is clear to me that Donald Trump flunked his seventh grade civics course and doesn't seem all that interested in finding out what, exactly, a president can and cannot do ... a detail that limits his ability to single-handedly fix anything. Apparently Mr. Thiel flunked the same civics course. On his way to becoming a billionaire, Mr. Thiel undoubtedly had the help of many unsung colleagues / employees who did sweat the details. He must have also had a lot of luck given how uninformed he seems to be about his own industry.
22
Thiel is the ultimate elitist. Democracy and self-governance can't be trusted in the hands of the people, and power should go to those who demand it. The only 'big picture' he sees is one with him in the middle of it. In that, he's much like Mr. Trump himself.
How Thiel can even be considered a libertarian is beyond me--at this point the word is meaningless if Thiel, the Koch Bros, and Jill Stein are all libertarians. Its just a semantic game that would have libertarians like John Locke and Thomas Paine rolling in their graves.
This libertarian troika simply want to replace public power and institutions with private (corporate) power--as if corporations were paragons of accountability without the State having the power to call them to account on behalf of the public! It echoes the mantras of the Reagan-era of 'trust us' to self-regulate. The subsequent 30 years of debt-fueled tax breaks for the wealthy have shown us the emptiness of such promises.
It's just as absurd as the GOP continuing to call themselves 'conservative' when everything they've done in the past 15 years has been anything BUT conservative and instead represent an increasingly atavistic, xenophobic, and self-serving populist-radicalist streak of the worst sort, seeking to destroy nearly 230 years of government with no clue as to what they're doing, why they're doing it, or what to build upon the ash heap they so desperately wish to see made in their name.
How Thiel can even be considered a libertarian is beyond me--at this point the word is meaningless if Thiel, the Koch Bros, and Jill Stein are all libertarians. Its just a semantic game that would have libertarians like John Locke and Thomas Paine rolling in their graves.
This libertarian troika simply want to replace public power and institutions with private (corporate) power--as if corporations were paragons of accountability without the State having the power to call them to account on behalf of the public! It echoes the mantras of the Reagan-era of 'trust us' to self-regulate. The subsequent 30 years of debt-fueled tax breaks for the wealthy have shown us the emptiness of such promises.
It's just as absurd as the GOP continuing to call themselves 'conservative' when everything they've done in the past 15 years has been anything BUT conservative and instead represent an increasingly atavistic, xenophobic, and self-serving populist-radicalist streak of the worst sort, seeking to destroy nearly 230 years of government with no clue as to what they're doing, why they're doing it, or what to build upon the ash heap they so desperately wish to see made in their name.
23
Even bigger picture, Mr. Thiel - War, trade imbalance, and government regulations are no match for human tribalism, globalization through technological advance, and individual greed. Unfortunately, Mr. Trump's positions as expressed so far are based on rabid nationalism, stifling global opportunity, and feeding individual greed. How this will reduce the potential for war, prevent trade conflicts, and improve the effectiveness of whatever regulation is left is pretty puzzling. The implementation details may not be important, but a defensible conceptual framework for this plan certainly is.
43
I rather take the risk with him than with the Clinton's. I thought we are done with Kings and Queens and family dynasty. The DNC should have selected someone new, say Bernie?
"Mr. Trump was the best choice in the presidential race because he will not get the country into wars, will fix the problems caused by international trade and will remove government regulations that are hurting the economy."
I am not sure that regulations are always harmful. Sometimes, they are necessary.
But two out of three is not bad.
I am not denying Trump's other faults. But the two out of the three mentioned are good things sbout him. He does not want to go to war with a nuclear power for which he is accused of being Putin's lapdog.
Actually Trump is too large to fit on Putin's lap, but in any case, there is no evidence whatever that Trump has the temperament to be anyone's lapdog.
And yes, call me foolish, but I TOO do not want a nuclear war with Russia.
I am not sure that regulations are always harmful. Sometimes, they are necessary.
But two out of three is not bad.
I am not denying Trump's other faults. But the two out of the three mentioned are good things sbout him. He does not want to go to war with a nuclear power for which he is accused of being Putin's lapdog.
Actually Trump is too large to fit on Putin's lap, but in any case, there is no evidence whatever that Trump has the temperament to be anyone's lapdog.
And yes, call me foolish, but I TOO do not want a nuclear war with Russia.
2
I think if he can make more money, he'll be anyone's lapdog. Even Putin's. I don't see how a war isn't possible with a Trump presidency. I think it's a way for God to punish America...
2
Let me see if I understand Mr. Thiel correctly. We should disregard what Mr. Trump says, even though he has never held any public office and otherwise has no record to be judged by. We should instead focus on the "big picture" that Mr. Trump has supposedly painted for us over the past year. Mr. Thiel understands and vouches for this message and everyone else has missed it because, well, we didn't have our listening caps on. Maybe. Or perhaps we heard the message and rejected it.
175
Democrats are whistling past the graveyard if they don't think the populists/reformers are coming at them next. In this curious case, the Republicans are actually ahead of the Democrats because Mr Trump has broken up the party as it existed. If he doesn't win this time a more charismatic populist/reformer will lead the ticket. No establishment candidate will lead either ticket again until serious reforms are enacted.
A lesson to be learned by choosing someone that you want to make into someone that they are not and can never come close to your ideal can be very painful Peter.wake up and look at how Trump really is ,he shows us all the time.
7
And what about the DNC choice? A never ending frauds. She knew very well what it means to have a private server. She was our Secretary of State, for cried-out-loud, this is a very responsible job. Her sorry, and I won't do it again, this isn't a preschool apology. The mistake was selecting her while she is under investigation. This should have never had the DNC support to begin with. What is about the DNC commitment to the Clinton's. I thought we have done with the Feudal system, and kings and queens, or dynasties. Bernie could have easily win over Trump.
Mr Thiel, an immigrant, and richly rewarded by our society, supports a candidate of his choice, as his adoptive country grants him the right, but neglects to hold this candidate to the standard of reason, history, and fair play. What are we to make of his choice?
5
Mr. Thiel is to Trumpism what Tom Cruise is to Scientology. They are both cult members.
11
So Mr Thiel thinks it is proper in American politics to separate Trump from the message if you like the message, but not separate Clinton and her message if you dislike either? Is it not naive in the extreme to think Trump will act only on the goals of the message, and not act as he has always acted?
9
This confirms for me something I've been suspicious of for quite some time, becoming a billionaire has as much to do with luck as it does with brains. There is no way Mr. Thiel could be a successful businessman on his smarts alone. If he can't see the con this candidate is pulling, if he doesn't yet know that this man is not smart enough to be president, if he can't tell what a smart person sounds like this far along into his career, that shows me he is more fortunate then he is intuitive.
14
The fallacy of one who believes that a measure of acumen in one area naturally lends one "expertise" across the board. Stick to what you do know, Thiel. We're not lemmings and don't need you leading us over a cliff.
11
LIke his hero Trump.,Thiel demonstrates you don't have to be smart to be rich.
31
Suppose that Trump was the founder of a start-up company that intended to make money by "Making American Great Again." (MAGA) Trump would make money by revitalizing cities. Given Trump's track record in business, and his particular ineptitude in Atlantic City, (and a missing record in NYC) would Peter Thiel invest in MAGA?
5
I find most Libertarians to be very silly people.
They are really either republicans who smoke dope or democrats that own a gun.
Thiel should just stick to his ruthless quest for money and power and stay out of politics. He looked like and sounded like a buffoon at the RNC this summer.
He obviously knows very little about public policy and like most so-called libertarians could care less about the challenges facing our society.
They are really either republicans who smoke dope or democrats that own a gun.
Thiel should just stick to his ruthless quest for money and power and stay out of politics. He looked like and sounded like a buffoon at the RNC this summer.
He obviously knows very little about public policy and like most so-called libertarians could care less about the challenges facing our society.
18
Throughout our history, some of the greatest fortunes were amassed by people willing, and sometimes happy, to step on the backs and necks of others. Trump comes to mind. He did it in a rather 20th century way, Thiel is more of a 21st century guy, but there's not a lot of difference. Both benefitted from a confluence of fortunate circumstances, and both played roulette by throwing stuff at the wall to see if it stuck (in their favor). Neither made their money the old fashioned way. They remind me of some young poker players who go all in on every hand. There's any number of moron millionaires and bilious billionaires out there now, many have followed that model. As is to be expected, many more crapped out. With some experience under their belts and the momentum of having huge fortunes, it's harder for them to fail now than it was early on, that's how it goes when you can afford lawyers, accountants and advisers (if you listen to them).
There is nothing in the resumes of either to remotely qualify them to be, or comment on who should be, president. But we listen and follow because of their riches, and sometimes their audacity. It feels like we've lost sight of what's at stake, and anyone with the money and thus in the spotlight becomes an instant celebrity and can sell us themselves and their views, regardless of qualification, like Alex Trebek selling life insurance or Henry Winkler hawking reverse mortgages. What will it take to snap us back to reality? I shudder to think.
There is nothing in the resumes of either to remotely qualify them to be, or comment on who should be, president. But we listen and follow because of their riches, and sometimes their audacity. It feels like we've lost sight of what's at stake, and anyone with the money and thus in the spotlight becomes an instant celebrity and can sell us themselves and their views, regardless of qualification, like Alex Trebek selling life insurance or Henry Winkler hawking reverse mortgages. What will it take to snap us back to reality? I shudder to think.
11
Why does the media pay so much attention to Peter Thiel on this issue? He is one of the very few, if not the sole major silicon valley person supporting Trump, but somehow his opinion seems to matter more than the rest. I guess the media is surprised by him. But the fact that someone has made a lot of money doesn't mean they have good political judgement - look at Trump himself. And Thiel has shown himself to be a bit kooky in other ways too - for example encouraging people to not go to college if they want to be successful....
9
Peter Thiel proves what many of us have known for a long time: It's a fine line between libertarianism and authoritarianism. In his case, there's no line at all.
12
The New York Times is outraged that someone has the audacity to think for themselves and come to their own conclusions regarding their choice for president. The New York Times' constant unwavering support of Hillary Clinton regardless of scandal after scandal is getting ridiculous. Her stealing the nomination from Bernie Sanders should have had them coming unglued but she is given a pass.
Does Trump say some outlandish stuff- sure. Will he get that outlandish stuff pushed through- no. What he will get done is get us out of wars that should have never been started and supported by the entrenched political elite. He will get us out of trade deals that have been written and passed for the backers of the entrenched political elite, and eliminate regulations that are enacted to eliminate competition for the backers of the entrenched political elite.
Are you starting to see the common thread New York Times? Clinton has been serving her masters and we are tired of it. Is everything out of Trump's mouth music to my ears- no but where it counts it gives me hope.
Clinton is comfortable in the cesspool that has become Washington D.C. Trump is going to drain it and we can't wait.
Does Trump say some outlandish stuff- sure. Will he get that outlandish stuff pushed through- no. What he will get done is get us out of wars that should have never been started and supported by the entrenched political elite. He will get us out of trade deals that have been written and passed for the backers of the entrenched political elite, and eliminate regulations that are enacted to eliminate competition for the backers of the entrenched political elite.
Are you starting to see the common thread New York Times? Clinton has been serving her masters and we are tired of it. Is everything out of Trump's mouth music to my ears- no but where it counts it gives me hope.
Clinton is comfortable in the cesspool that has become Washington D.C. Trump is going to drain it and we can't wait.
DC is not a cesspool. You insult hundreds of thousands for good, honest, hard working, government workers . But Trump told you it's a cesspool and all Black folks live in ghettos, Mexicans want to kill and rape you, etc., right? How is your messiah going to "fix" Washington ? He has no clue how Government works or how to improve it. If you believe him, well, God bless you. If he wins, may God have Mercy on all of us.
8
It is wearying to have to accept that people whose sole purpose in life is to make money have so much power to weigh in on a public conversation. Why is Mr. Thiel on the front page of the paper? Why not scholars, too? Why not writers, poets, philosophers and social critics?
This is not democratic; it is plutocratic. When I graduated high school in 1975 the No. 1 ambition of a high school graduate was likely to be a doctor or a lawyer or a movie star or a judge. Around about the 80s and the time of Reagan, when began to really go wrong for us, the goal shifted. "I wanna be rich!"
Let's go back to when our ambitions were richer.
This is not democratic; it is plutocratic. When I graduated high school in 1975 the No. 1 ambition of a high school graduate was likely to be a doctor or a lawyer or a movie star or a judge. Around about the 80s and the time of Reagan, when began to really go wrong for us, the goal shifted. "I wanna be rich!"
Let's go back to when our ambitions were richer.
11
clearly thiel is drinking the republican kool aid. he has been conned by the same republican promises that when broken produced the tea party and now trump. or has he. it may be that the one aspect of trump policy he is really concerned with is trump's tax policy and the promise to knock millions of dollars off the tax bill of the top 1 percent. of course if trump gets elected and there is actually a nuclear exchange there wont be anything left for him to spend his newly bestowed riches on.
4
Maybe it just goes to show that successful intelligent individuals as much as the opposite kind of people make irrational and emotional decisions that will hurt them in the long run. Although 2020 is just around the corner.
1
Just another insular billionaire who lives on his own planet. Trump World is especially a welcoming place for people like him. What we are learning here is that people who accumulate a fortune by specializing in one field don't seem to be able to transfer that intelligence into all the other areas a President is required to handle. Thiiel's blind spot is that specifics shape the big picture. I would bet that as a businessman he pays strict attention to detail, it is what helped make him a success. The American public would be wise to do the same thing when it comes to Trump.
10
Encouraging entrepreneurs will encourage entrepreneurial scammers, and scammers can both crash the system and make entrepreneurs more cautious and slow to respond to business opportunities (because they might be scams). Encouraging entrepreneurs by telling them that all is allowed will make them wary rather than bold, since if all is allowed then scamming them is allowed. In Russia, all regulations are bendable by the powerful, so all is allowed to the powerful, and a few powerful oligarchs wind up with the goodies. If the regulations were nonexistent rather than bendable, the result would be much the same.
3
There is a very critical difference between shaking things up and screwing things up...Mr. Thiel should make sure he understands that when he backs someone like Trump.
9
Peter Thiel is a useful example of the danger of ascribing value to a person's opinion just because they are wealthy and/or have had professional success. While one might think that good judgment, analysis skills, or a realistic world view are necessary abilities for a successful entrepreneur, I think the exact opposite is the case: To be extremely successful as investor/entrepreneur, it may help to analyse situations different from most other people and it's also helpful to come to conclusions that most people would think are not supported by evidence. That's how you find a niche that nobody else has found before, some might say by pure luck.
However when someone - after careful study of both candidates - comes to the conclusion that Trump will be a better president than Hillary, it's probably safe to assume that their luck has run out.
However when someone - after careful study of both candidates - comes to the conclusion that Trump will be a better president than Hillary, it's probably safe to assume that their luck has run out.
8
Peter Thiel ain't right about much on this topic, but one thing he is half right about is, "What Trumps represents isn't crazy and it's not going away." Well, of course it is crazy, and the ignorant, racist, sexist, zenophobic voters who support Trump will not go away. Thiel is living in an alternative universe where an ignorant clown like Trump is the answer for what is a very demanding job. Trump knows nothing and goes by his gut, like George W Bush did, and Trump's "gut" makes Bush's look enlightened. As Bloomberg said, "God help us." (Albeit in a different context, but I believe Bloomberg's speech at the DNC convention is relevant. He's a sensible billionaire.)
10
thiel is a disgrace to the United States in general, and gay people in particular, she should never have come out and demeaned gays with his disgusting opinions.
6
Unfortunately, Mr. Thiel's arrogance is not that different from other "leaders" from Silicon Valley. Been to many startup boarding meetings with VC guys like him, where he can just tell you how smart and right he is. Obviously, he knows more about technology and everything else than people who spend their their lives doing it. By the same token, he's smarter than people running the government.
You listen to guy like him only because he might fund your company. Why should people listen to guys like him for an election? Are his experiences relevant?
Mr. Thiel made a good point about Trump's candidacy, which is that our government today is dysfunctional, if you get pass Trump's craziness. But he should have known, from years investing in companies, any idiot can state the obvious and point out the problems, but the winner need to provide solutions. And Trump is the opposite of solutions.
You listen to guy like him only because he might fund your company. Why should people listen to guys like him for an election? Are his experiences relevant?
Mr. Thiel made a good point about Trump's candidacy, which is that our government today is dysfunctional, if you get pass Trump's craziness. But he should have known, from years investing in companies, any idiot can state the obvious and point out the problems, but the winner need to provide solutions. And Trump is the opposite of solutions.
8
Peter has a right to dream, it's an old American tradition, and he can easily afford whatever nightmare ensues.
Would that the rest of us could afford what follows either candidate's victory. What an abysmal choice we have.
Would that the rest of us could afford what follows either candidate's victory. What an abysmal choice we have.
4
How can a gay man seriously support Donald Trump? The Donald has promised to get marriage equality repealed. Forget that it would be next to impossible to do that; the fact remains that Trump is promoting an anti-gay agenda to scare up some votes from some frightened old bigots. If Thiel thinks for a minute that Trump will be looking out for his rights, he's screwy.
5
Peter Thiel is, alongside Donald Trump, further proof that being obscenely wealthy does not immunize one from virulent ignorance. The more of these cases that turn up, the more it looks like extreme wealth may well predispose those afflicted with it to exhibit these flights of omniscient fantasy.
To deal with this derangement syndrome, the United States would be wise to institute mandatory universal service. Not the draft, but a program that requires one's participation for a minimum of two years in service to the United States and its citizens. Without performing this service, one's privileges of citizenship may be limited. Didn't serve? Can't vote. Didn't serve? Pay a (stiffly progressive) surtax on all income. Didn't serve and want to know who to blame for all your troubles? Buy a mirror.
To deal with this derangement syndrome, the United States would be wise to institute mandatory universal service. Not the draft, but a program that requires one's participation for a minimum of two years in service to the United States and its citizens. Without performing this service, one's privileges of citizenship may be limited. Didn't serve? Can't vote. Didn't serve? Pay a (stiffly progressive) surtax on all income. Didn't serve and want to know who to blame for all your troubles? Buy a mirror.
11
Mr. Thiel has huge sums of money and prefers to spend it supporting Donald Trump. The fact that Trump is a psychopath makes no difference to Thiel.
This alone makes getting money out of politics a priority if we hope to continue the American experiment in Democracy.
This alone makes getting money out of politics a priority if we hope to continue the American experiment in Democracy.
15
I think voters should watch the press conference Peter Thiel held today and decide for themselves. I agree with him 100%, regardless of what the media and talking heads want to peddle with nuclear scares etc. Hillary Clinton is much more likely to take us to war than Trump. She is much more likely to sacrifice country to increase her personal wealth, than Trump. A good read would be "The coming shift: Hillary Clinton's plans..", I would highly recommend it.
Let me understand this, Mr. Thiel believes that the economy, has been devastated in the past by the technology bubble of the 1990s, the housing bubble of the last decade and let me add the S&L junk bond crises of the 80s and to blame the problem on government regulations? All of the were directly due to LACK of adequate government regulations starting with the removal under Reagan. Free enterprise is a great thing but not when it just produces bubbles of no real value, destined to pop.
8
Between Mr. Thiel's financial enabling of the Hulk Hogan lawsuit that destroyed Gawker and his vastly ill-considered support of Trump, what we've learned, for the second time this year, is this:
An egotistical, avaricious, and vindictive billionaire can do a world of damage.
An egotistical, avaricious, and vindictive billionaire can do a world of damage.
17
How about damage the world is ways we cant imagine --all because a foreign leader made him feel---tiny? Scary
4
So we should also ignore Donald Trump's comments about defaulting on the national debt to get a better deal (just like he did in his several bankruptcies)? Let's boil down Mr. Thiel's advice on Donald Trump to the words "Trust Him". Unfortunately nothing in Donald Trump's career or this campaign inspires enough confidence to make one trust him.
8
As a billionaire Thiel gets to pontificate as though he had some special knowledge about politics and policy. He's taken seriously. Trump has already proved that someone who claims to be a billionaire, or actually is one, has no necessary understanding of reality. Neither does Thiel, given his support of Trump.
8
I'm a Hillary Clinton Supporter. I just came back from volunteering 3 hours for her Campaign here in Miami ( I volunteer 4 to 5 days a Week) and I support and defend the Right of Mr Thiel to be a Trump Supporter. This is America not, Russia or China.
4
When a man as rich as Thiel gives a paltry 1.25 million dollars to Donald Trump, should we curl up and despair?
$1.25 million to him is as the same as a few hundred to you or me.
Small price for him, I would think, to get the attention he--like the Donald--craves. Make no mistake, those like Thiel who are clutching the Donald's coattails (Christie, Giuliani, Carson) are only doing so to raise their profile.
While the Chris and the Julie are spending their expired political capital, Thiel is spending chump change.
Look Upon My Works, Ye Mighty and . . . Chuckle?
$1.25 million to him is as the same as a few hundred to you or me.
Small price for him, I would think, to get the attention he--like the Donald--craves. Make no mistake, those like Thiel who are clutching the Donald's coattails (Christie, Giuliani, Carson) are only doing so to raise their profile.
While the Chris and the Julie are spending their expired political capital, Thiel is spending chump change.
Look Upon My Works, Ye Mighty and . . . Chuckle?
9
It's regrettable that the NYTimes gives more than 2-column inches to discuss Peter Thiel's nocturnal fantasies.
6
Anyone who supports Trump as the "safer" candidate is either stupid, ignorant or looking for some personal gain.
8
Does Mr. Thiel really advocate electing a President that will leave us guessing at every moment whether he is just talking crazy or really is crazy?
7
First order of business, Mr Thiel, is that they'll get rid of that pesky regulation that allows gays to marry. Then, out with the wedding cake thing. Then they'll restore HB2 and kick gays out of the military.
Of course, why would you care about that; you're insulated from all that by your billions and special protection from the White House, having made a 1.25 million contribution.
Ain't life grand?
Of course, why would you care about that; you're insulated from all that by your billions and special protection from the White House, having made a 1.25 million contribution.
Ain't life grand?
8
Peter Thiel has more money than brains. He seems to take the same approach that Donald Trump does, namely do whatever you wish and figure it out later. The fact that he has a ton of money makes it possible for him to do what he wants when he wants to do it. Rules are for others. Society does not work that way.
12
Thiel is right. America is in a mess financially, socially and internationally. Unfortunately, there are those who control the banks and media who want to keep it that way. No country should allow their own children to be in inescapable debt. Bring on Change even if he is not a humble person.
1
Mr. Thiel makes a giant leap - from positing that Trump presents real problems for Americans to consider - a distinct possibility - to the conclusion that he will actually resolve them - a considerably lesser possibility.
For instance I know that if an appendix is infected, it may burst, which is very bad, a big problem. Based on that alone, would you trust me to remove it?
Experience matters, as does temperament. Mr.Trump's experience in government is nil and his temperament - based on the very words that Mr.Thiel urges us to ignore - is choleric, excitable, hot-headed, impetuous, irascible....
But by all means, ignore all that and trust that it will all get resolved easily once Mr. Trump gets a shot at it. And while we are at it, how do you feel about me taking out a kidney and putting in a heart stent while I am in there messing around?
For instance I know that if an appendix is infected, it may burst, which is very bad, a big problem. Based on that alone, would you trust me to remove it?
Experience matters, as does temperament. Mr.Trump's experience in government is nil and his temperament - based on the very words that Mr.Thiel urges us to ignore - is choleric, excitable, hot-headed, impetuous, irascible....
But by all means, ignore all that and trust that it will all get resolved easily once Mr. Trump gets a shot at it. And while we are at it, how do you feel about me taking out a kidney and putting in a heart stent while I am in there messing around?
7
Thiel's thinking has always been convoluted, based on an invented reality, and not worth consideration.
He is a Libertarian in name only.
He is a Libertarian in name only.
4
"Mr. Thiel, a libertarian"
Say no more.
Wealth does not equal smarts, a fact proven by both Thiel and the know-nothing he supports.
Say no more.
Wealth does not equal smarts, a fact proven by both Thiel and the know-nothing he supports.
8
It is no surprise that Thiel is a libertarian, believing that government has virtually no role in ensuring a peaceful and equitable society. He's a billionaire -- what does he need government for?
What's odd is that Libertarianism must have a fundamentally positive view of human nature, since individuals are left with the burden of caring for the poor, the sick, the disadvantaged, the environment, the schools, and of course the elderly. How a Libertarian can find anything to admire in the hate-filled cesspool that is Donald Trump is beyond me. Nowhere in his ideas or rhetoric is any positive vision for America. Rather, his America is a Neanderthal one, where men fight with clubs over raw meat and women cower in caves, preferably naked.
What's odd is that Libertarianism must have a fundamentally positive view of human nature, since individuals are left with the burden of caring for the poor, the sick, the disadvantaged, the environment, the schools, and of course the elderly. How a Libertarian can find anything to admire in the hate-filled cesspool that is Donald Trump is beyond me. Nowhere in his ideas or rhetoric is any positive vision for America. Rather, his America is a Neanderthal one, where men fight with clubs over raw meat and women cower in caves, preferably naked.
25
The problem is too much focus has been put forth by the media (some times with hyperbolic), about his nuclear intention that are to say the least are false. It appears to me that most of the media is like a bunch of kids adhering to some idea about the world that have no longer to exist. Peter is absolutely correct about Trump as the right person for the job for the next 8 years. We need a nonconformist for a change. Yet, the Silicon Valley (I lived and worked there) taltaly don't get what the middle class of America has been going through in the last 8 years. They are resisting rent control for teachers that cannot afford to live there.
1
Or you could simply not take literally anything Peter Thiel says.
7
...Thiel is right, "it’s not going away,” -- 'lunatics, and ye have the poor always with you'.
1
The “fantasies” regarding Trump, even if truly fantasies, are similar in impact to the fantasies regarding Sec. Clinton. Mr. Bajaj completely ignores Thiel’s premises about what ails America and what Trump would offer us by way of solutions. Instead, he merely regurgitates the left’s talking points on Trump as a man. He doesn’t even try to compare the unsavory aspects of how the Clintons conduct THEIR lives and manage their global brand with Trump’s.
Well, it’s Opinion, after all, and Mr. Bajaj didn’t regale us with this offering to support Trump but to support Mrs. Clinton. I’m sure it will be compelling to those who despise Trump and merely look to these columns as added notes played to a choir. But it’s not compelling to those who listen to Thiel and realize that for all of Trump’s personal shortcomings, the likelihood is high that as a “Republican” president he’d get movement out of a Republican Congress – even a Republican House. But Mrs. Clinton, having embraced the economically levelling agenda of Bernie Sanders and the excessive regulatory agenda of Elizabeth Warren, will paralyze our politics every bit as effectively as Barack Obama did for the past six years. To think otherwise is a YUGE fantasy.
So, pick the “fantasy” that appeals to you; or … get smart and consider the REAL consequences of a Clinton presidency to an America faced with immense challenges and the desperate need to address them effectively.
Well, it’s Opinion, after all, and Mr. Bajaj didn’t regale us with this offering to support Trump but to support Mrs. Clinton. I’m sure it will be compelling to those who despise Trump and merely look to these columns as added notes played to a choir. But it’s not compelling to those who listen to Thiel and realize that for all of Trump’s personal shortcomings, the likelihood is high that as a “Republican” president he’d get movement out of a Republican Congress – even a Republican House. But Mrs. Clinton, having embraced the economically levelling agenda of Bernie Sanders and the excessive regulatory agenda of Elizabeth Warren, will paralyze our politics every bit as effectively as Barack Obama did for the past six years. To think otherwise is a YUGE fantasy.
So, pick the “fantasy” that appeals to you; or … get smart and consider the REAL consequences of a Clinton presidency to an America faced with immense challenges and the desperate need to address them effectively.
5
So this editorial, in your opinion, focuses not on specific facts but on "Trump the man!"
You are firmly embedded in your own fantasy bubble, just as you are on Facebook!
You are firmly embedded in your own fantasy bubble, just as you are on Facebook!
34
Joschka:
Facebook?! I don't think I've updated my Facebook page in five years.
Re-read the op-ed, which is not an "editorial": it's obviously an ideologically self-interested attack on Trump and not an analysis of Thiel's position.
Facebook?! I don't think I've updated my Facebook page in five years.
Re-read the op-ed, which is not an "editorial": it's obviously an ideologically self-interested attack on Trump and not an analysis of Thiel's position.
4
Consider instead the REAL consequences of a Republican house to an America desperate to address other problems than abortion, bathrooms, and repealing Obamacare. Enough congressmen do not believe in compromising with other Republicans to cripple the government no matter who is president.
Paralysis is bad but still better than chaos. The Trump campaign has been chaotic, and his chaos worked to get him the nomination. Once in power he will have to figure out whether the people under him (some of whom he appoints and most of whom he inherits) are executing his policies or sabotaging them. He has had no experience in dealing with this.
Paralysis is bad but still better than chaos. The Trump campaign has been chaotic, and his chaos worked to get him the nomination. Once in power he will have to figure out whether the people under him (some of whom he appoints and most of whom he inherits) are executing his policies or sabotaging them. He has had no experience in dealing with this.
8
Ok - let's do the big picture: on the right we have a man who so can't stand criticism that he tweets out sneers, name calling, and hate speech at 3 AM; who praises Putin, but says our loyalty to our allies will depend upon their paying up; who questions security reports made to him by experts, and says he knows more about ISIS than the Generals, and who has very little understanding of the Constitution. Maybe that is not a "big" enough picture for Mr. Thiel - mere details. How about this - the man is a misogynist lecher, who thinks it is fine to try to bed married women and grope any female he finds interesting... and brags about it.
262
Your big picture is very inaccurate.
1. Trump does not praise Putin, listen to the words that come out of his mouth instead of taking liberal talking points straight up. He said that he is outsmarting us, and that he effectively is undermining our authority in the world. Which he is. So, that goes out the window.
2. He should be questioning security reports, given our security, or lack thereof in the world.. So that's out.
3. Yes, we have allies, and we have treaties that need to be upheld. However, why should we be expected to hold the burden of security to all of these nations essentially for free? Oh that's right we can just pay more taxes. No, sorry
4. He has very little understanding of the constitution? Where do you come up with that? Because he wants to put a temporary stop to letting in people from countries under heavy Islamic influence and rule? That's not unconstitutional, that's defending our homeland from very dangerous people who we can't identify otherwise. Oh well.
5. Sure, perhaps hes a misogynist. Even if he is, do you really think hes the first to run or accept a presidential victory? Why don't you go read up on good old JFK, or even Bill Clinton, and get back to us. So that's out.
So, when reality sets in, you would rather have a criminal, who violated at the very least the Espionage Act, a federal crime, over a Misogynist who tweets too much? This is the irrational thinking Thiel is talking about.
1. Trump does not praise Putin, listen to the words that come out of his mouth instead of taking liberal talking points straight up. He said that he is outsmarting us, and that he effectively is undermining our authority in the world. Which he is. So, that goes out the window.
2. He should be questioning security reports, given our security, or lack thereof in the world.. So that's out.
3. Yes, we have allies, and we have treaties that need to be upheld. However, why should we be expected to hold the burden of security to all of these nations essentially for free? Oh that's right we can just pay more taxes. No, sorry
4. He has very little understanding of the constitution? Where do you come up with that? Because he wants to put a temporary stop to letting in people from countries under heavy Islamic influence and rule? That's not unconstitutional, that's defending our homeland from very dangerous people who we can't identify otherwise. Oh well.
5. Sure, perhaps hes a misogynist. Even if he is, do you really think hes the first to run or accept a presidential victory? Why don't you go read up on good old JFK, or even Bill Clinton, and get back to us. So that's out.
So, when reality sets in, you would rather have a criminal, who violated at the very least the Espionage Act, a federal crime, over a Misogynist who tweets too much? This is the irrational thinking Thiel is talking about.
4
Anne, much of what you say is true, if a bit of an exaggeration. But it does not cancel out the fact that Trump IS opposed to regime change, that he did criticize the Iraq war severely as early as 2004 and he realizes that trade pacts can make the rich richer and the poor poorer.
You think that his vices cancel out his virtues, but alas, every person has both.
If Hillary wants to go toe to toe with Putin and Trump praises Putin, I feel a lot safer with Trump.
Does that make groping acceptable? Of course not. It seems Bill Clinton, Anthony Weiner and Trump are all unsavory characters as far as sex is concerned, and so was your beloved (Democratic) senator Ted Kennedy.
You think that his vices cancel out his virtues, but alas, every person has both.
If Hillary wants to go toe to toe with Putin and Trump praises Putin, I feel a lot safer with Trump.
Does that make groping acceptable? Of course not. It seems Bill Clinton, Anthony Weiner and Trump are all unsavory characters as far as sex is concerned, and so was your beloved (Democratic) senator Ted Kennedy.
1
Thiel is not sympathetic to female victims of sexual assault. His writings indicate that he thinks that women either make it all up or are asking for it.
4