You forgot to end your article with "and the Republicsn congress approved of it all". This should be cut and paste as an addendum to every article on this administration.
55
Calling out the National Guard to deport aliens -- prelude to declaring martial law?
28
Well summarized. It just fills you with anticipation for the second month. The central question: When does this hallucinatory juggernaut trigger real catastrophe?
22
The only thing the American people can look forward to these days is the next SNL .
47
Many thanks and kudos to Mr. Egan for an important article. As hard as it is we have to bear witness to what is happening and keep a record. I suggest that Mr. Egan do this kind of an article every 30 days. With the Republicans in charge we cannot realistically expect consequences for Trump any time soon. FYI I was appalled by his election but his cabinet picks are "beyond the Pale" and reveal the malignant and heartless reality of Trump and his plans for the country.
42
Here is what you fail to mention; from 35 to 40 % of the country believe Trump's first month was a home run. Poll after poll shows that percentage does not fluctuate no matter what he says or does. You continue to believe by your long and derisive list that people will react with abhorrence, when for a large part of the country, the opposite is true. What appalls you cheers them. You've learned absolutely nothing from the election night results. Trump has fine tuned into the frequency of his voting block and he will not back off. Apparently rural America can never get enough of government, media, or federal judge bashing. Throw in the subliminal message of conspiracy and like Pavlov's dog reason and logic disappear and the taste glands activate.
100
Well, just try to imagine if Obama did just ONE of those things in the list what the Republicans, -- not just in the House but all over the country -- Fox, the Talk Radio would be doing?
Just like everything else that is happening it is way too much to imagine. Surreal has become real!
Just like everything else that is happening it is way too much to imagine. Surreal has become real!
20
But he has protected us from Nordstrom!
18
I'm reeling from the president's first two month in office. His press conference yesterday was the ramblings of a deranged personality.
Hope that military guy has a good grip on the football.
Hope that military guy has a good grip on the football.
15
I believe that many Trump supporters are enjoying the terrible chaos they have created; and hope they continue to enjoy for as long as it lasts.
12
Trumpski is a ticking time-bomb holding the nuclear codes.
15
This article should be a running list with sources and embedded video for each event and each totally insane lie.
15
What do the Russians have on Donald Trump?
25
And yet Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, the majority of confess, and a third of the American public think he is doing a "great" job.
27
The president makes Sarah Palin seem articulate.
47
The Republicans need to remember that in two years many of them will come up for re-election!
And, the Democrats need to remember that too, and gird their loins for a fight to end Republican majorities in both houses of Congress.
And, the Democrats need to remember that too, and gird their loins for a fight to end Republican majorities in both houses of Congress.
18
These are only the things he's done that we know about. I shudder to think what might be going on out of the public eye. If he really believes that his administration is running like "a finely-tuned machine," he's more delusional than I imagined.
23
I know who Donald Trump reminds me of -- Bernie Madoff. Peas in a pod. Two complete fraudsters with a ready lie on the lips. Bernie, though, was cooler under pressure.
33
Trump is infatuated with himself, lies at will, and thinks he is the smarted person in the U.S. (he is NOT!).
When the press holds him accountable he resorts to spreading more untruths via his well oiled twitter machine and lashes out at anyone who stands up to him, counting on a shrinking part the American minority that had elected him and remains gullible enough to believe what he says -- all facts to the contrary.
The emerging evidence is this: he is of moderate intelligence, a mediocre manager, and is recklessly taking down what has made this country great.
This is not fake, but really bad news.
When the press holds him accountable he resorts to spreading more untruths via his well oiled twitter machine and lashes out at anyone who stands up to him, counting on a shrinking part the American minority that had elected him and remains gullible enough to believe what he says -- all facts to the contrary.
The emerging evidence is this: he is of moderate intelligence, a mediocre manager, and is recklessly taking down what has made this country great.
This is not fake, but really bad news.
21
What's it gonna take?!
See what happens stupid Americans! Too bad there isn't a number lower than absolute negative zero to rate this dictatorship and authoritarian unAmerican Republican'ts. This cannot continue any longer and they must be removed immediately before any more damage is done to this nation, this earth, Democracy. This includes Pence, Toomey, Ryan, Dent, Justice Roberts, McConnell, Sessions, and those Democrat DINOs. Not another moment. They just approved Scott Pruitt, guilty of collusion and fraud, to destroy the EPA, this nation, Democracy. Stop them.
See what happens stupid Americans! Too bad there isn't a number lower than absolute negative zero to rate this dictatorship and authoritarian unAmerican Republican'ts. This cannot continue any longer and they must be removed immediately before any more damage is done to this nation, this earth, Democracy. This includes Pence, Toomey, Ryan, Dent, Justice Roberts, McConnell, Sessions, and those Democrat DINOs. Not another moment. They just approved Scott Pruitt, guilty of collusion and fraud, to destroy the EPA, this nation, Democracy. Stop them.
23
You know, I know people who undoubtedly voted for Trump. And I know what their reaction would be if their child put on a performance like that he put on yesterday: full of lies, prevarications, claiming achievements they hadn't actually done, blaming anyone and everyone for their mistakes, boasting, insulting others, continually fussing about things that happened years ago, and oh yes - lying.
Let's just say, it wouldn't have earned the kid a pat on the head.
Trump voters: is this the example you want for your child? Is this someone you would want as a coworker, let alone a boss?
Let's just say, it wouldn't have earned the kid a pat on the head.
Trump voters: is this the example you want for your child? Is this someone you would want as a coworker, let alone a boss?
12
Thank you, Mr. Egan, for the recap. But the picture of the burned cap says it all. Trump is blowing smoke (as the say). And where there's smoke, there's fire.
I can still hardly believe it!
I can still hardly believe it!
7
One thing to brag about gives him one more thing than the NYT, which I'm afraid has been irreparably damaged by its publisher and current management!
3
Nope, nope, nope. The alternative facts comments was NOT about illegal immigrants, it was about inauguration attendance. Please, a little more attention to facts yourself. We need to hold ourselves to a higher standard.
8
Gosh, It's sounds like a pitch for a reality TV show. I guess America voted to watch it!
4
What was it that Bannon said? Something to the effect of: "The media should be embarrassed and humiliated and keep its mouth shut and just listen for a while." This would be timely and excellent advice for Trump.
16
Good, tightly written news roundup.
6
Mr. Egan, you listed most of the hits in the parade of horribles, but there is also the Muslim ban was issued on Holocaust Remembrance Day, whereupon the White House issued a proclamation without mentioning the suffering of Jews.
20
I read today on AOL news that a memo has been circulated among Trump's advisors suggesting the use of the National Guard to round up undocumented people. The parallels of Hitler's Germany and the scapegoating of the Jews is not a liberal exaggeration, nor a mirage. Fear of the "Other" : Mexicans, Muslims "immigrants", is at the core of this Administration's domestic policy. Our economy needs the labor of immigrants and needs the taxes of "out of control" California. But Trump cannot see the big picture because there is no picture bigger than him.
18
And for a Black a History Month Celebration, made clear he has no clue who Frederick Douglas is, or that he isn't still alive.
23
And you forgot the last one: Selected a global warming skeptic-anti-EPA person to head the Environmental Protection Agency, which should be now called the PPA (Protect Polluters Agency).
18
This is not going to end well for any of us.
The GOP is playing with fire by allowing this to continue unchecked. This has gone way past partisanship. We need to make sure our system of governance survives the Trump troubles intact. I'm not a praying man, but Lord help us all, because nobody on the hill seems to be up to the task
The GOP is playing with fire by allowing this to continue unchecked. This has gone way past partisanship. We need to make sure our system of governance survives the Trump troubles intact. I'm not a praying man, but Lord help us all, because nobody on the hill seems to be up to the task
12
Trump said 'I can't believe I'm calling myself a Politician but I guess that's what I am." He should have said I can't believe I'm calling myself President because we can't either. This man continues to plow through American Integrity like Manifest Destiny. This fascist is annihilating the surplus of goodwill Obama so painstakingly worked on. So how can this Country have Minority Rule? We saw his inauguration-no one showed up. Only a Racist Country would equate an incompetent, bellicose, fascist, white man with a highly competent, statesman, lawyer, rational thinking, black man. I say it doesn't really matter how we got this huge problem, let's figure how to get out of it.
10
I wonder what would happen if for one, full 24-hour period, not a single news outlet mentioned his name or that of anyone in his White House. A total mainstream American news blackout. There are a million other stories out there. Exhibit the power of the press - he has become a co-dependent addiction that needs to be reigned in. Why not try it? You'd make history. If MSNBC can ban Kelly Ann Conway, can't the major news outlets ban Trump stories for 24- hours and see what happens? You don't need him and neither do we. Everything is getting repetitive and the more brilliant writing and reporting out there is getting lost in the cacophony. Just an idea from a sick and tired American.
7
Timmy, I judge from you rancor that you're still mad about Hillary losing the presidential election and the poor strategy by Democrats in capturing the electoral votes. I can read here that your working your hardest to get some traction for the mid-terms, and I applaud you for it. Keep trying.
4
The quote from Nikita Khrushchev has been haunting me since the election....
"The John Birch Society is Communism's greatest ally. With its help we will divide and confuse the American people until they have lost faith in their Government, their nation has ceased to be a major world power, and their country is ripe for revolution."
"The John Birch Society is Communism's greatest ally. With its help we will divide and confuse the American people until they have lost faith in their Government, their nation has ceased to be a major world power, and their country is ripe for revolution."
16
I don't know why the trumpets are so upset.
Every single thing Eagan wrote is 100% true.
Our president is a mental case.
Every single thing Eagan wrote is 100% true.
Our president is a mental case.
9
So.... I would think an "F" is fair.
5
Don't worry Americans, the kochs are on the job.
Sorry, republican congressmen owned by the kochs are on the job.
I always get that mixed up.
Sorry, republican congressmen owned by the kochs are on the job.
I always get that mixed up.
10
We need to see the taxes.
One month in and not a single thing happened that comes as any surprise whatsoever.
Groper don is one weird dude, ignorant and immature. He didn't even try to tone it down.
"...“California is, in many ways, out of control,” he said..."
I don't care what this idiot says, I just need to see him bounced out of power. I'm not going to waste my time parsing idiotic tweets, or make fun of them.
We now desperately need PRIAM, keep a laser focus on the very things that can bounce this guy out of office.
Players: who are the players, eg Putin, Bannon, Flynn, Manaford...
Relationships: between the players, who calls the shots, who is blackmailing who, who is passing what info to who, etc
IOU: who holds what IOU's
Agendas: what are the agendas of each of the players
Money: how is the money flowing.
Articles that do not focus on this type of information, that don't uncover at least partial answers, are a waste of time.
One month in and not a single thing happened that comes as any surprise whatsoever.
Groper don is one weird dude, ignorant and immature. He didn't even try to tone it down.
"...“California is, in many ways, out of control,” he said..."
I don't care what this idiot says, I just need to see him bounced out of power. I'm not going to waste my time parsing idiotic tweets, or make fun of them.
We now desperately need PRIAM, keep a laser focus on the very things that can bounce this guy out of office.
Players: who are the players, eg Putin, Bannon, Flynn, Manaford...
Relationships: between the players, who calls the shots, who is blackmailing who, who is passing what info to who, etc
IOU: who holds what IOU's
Agendas: what are the agendas of each of the players
Money: how is the money flowing.
Articles that do not focus on this type of information, that don't uncover at least partial answers, are a waste of time.
8
Too bad everything he has done is a total nightmare for the sane 63-plus million who did not vote for His Lunacy.
Reporters: Keep it up. Follow the money.
Reporters: Keep it up. Follow the money.
16
Abandon hop, all ye who "live" here.
This is just the beginning.
Are there really enough voters desirous of the End of Days to elect this so-called tiny handed "person?"
I think the answer is yes, and that's where we are headed
Changing this path will be like trying to turn an aircraft carrier.
This is just the beginning.
Are there really enough voters desirous of the End of Days to elect this so-called tiny handed "person?"
I think the answer is yes, and that's where we are headed
Changing this path will be like trying to turn an aircraft carrier.
5
With the confirmation of Scott Pruitt as Head of the E.P.A., I dread to think what may next appear on Trump's Report Card.
I fear the worst.
I fear the worst.
9
Time to be grownups and mobilize an effective opposition. This is not only Trump's report card, but ours. Trump is in this for the long haul, make no mistake. He has already filed paperwork for his re-election campaign. His billionaire's club is setting up even better Super Pac's, while many of us still buy the lie that unions are bad and banking regulations even worse. We must support our local representatives, and replace those who have voted against our interest in this first month. We must take the House away from Paul Ryan and his anti-government, anti-middle class crowd of fancy elites. We must capture the media, those same conservative outlets who drove Trump from Moscow to Washington. That last month is our report card. We can stop this. Trump is just being Trump. We need to be different.
10
If Trump Von Clownstick were a student one month in the Board would be calling for disciplinary action. He would be on curfew and require a tutor to get him back up to snuff. Otherwise TVC would be put on probation for the rest of the semester and probably seeing no improvement asked to leave at the end of the school year.
We can only wish being president of the US were so strict. Trump was a dimwit legacy student when he attended (physically, not mentally) the Wharton school. Dad's generous contributions got Little Donny through school.
Trump's first month: F's with many Incomplete Courses.
File Under: Dunce.
DD
Manhattan
We can only wish being president of the US were so strict. Trump was a dimwit legacy student when he attended (physically, not mentally) the Wharton school. Dad's generous contributions got Little Donny through school.
Trump's first month: F's with many Incomplete Courses.
File Under: Dunce.
DD
Manhattan
8
So Mr. Egan has progressed to calling the Trump administration a "regime." That word is defined as a government, "especially an authoritarian one." It's probably a tad premature, but as quickly as things are moving, I'm sure the term will feel like a natural fit in only a few weeks. Or perhaps I'm still in denial.
8
The "administration" is testing the extent to which the DHS (and other executive agencies) can act and ignore orders from the other branches of government. This is as serious as it can possibly get: all of the arguments about whether order X or Y is unconstitutional mean nothing if elements of the government are executing them and the courts are being ignored.
The Muslim ban (their words) was a trial balloon for a coup d’état against the United States. It gave them useful information.
So yes, regime is the appropriate word right now. Yes, the term will feel like a natural fit to you, dear NavyVet, in a very short time. You are already well on your way to waking up from the last moments of a denial dream.
There are so many vets who are active in the resistance. When you find your way, there will be camaraderie and support waiting.
The Muslim ban (their words) was a trial balloon for a coup d’état against the United States. It gave them useful information.
So yes, regime is the appropriate word right now. Yes, the term will feel like a natural fit to you, dear NavyVet, in a very short time. You are already well on your way to waking up from the last moments of a denial dream.
There are so many vets who are active in the resistance. When you find your way, there will be camaraderie and support waiting.
12
I could request my medical provider prescribe a drug that would induce a 4 year coma. But that wouldn't be productive. Better to watch and learn. Our children's children will study this mess in years to come. Hopefully, Mr. Egan's chronology will be included in all civics text books. But that would only be Chapter One: In the Beginning. What will the middle and end look like. We can only guess.
Or, will the thin skinned Trump grow weary of reminding us of his electoral victory, throw his hands up and take his ball and go home to NYC? Will he invade Bermuda? Will he run out into the gaggle of news people and physically assault someone over a perceived slight? I mean, it is within the realm of possibility given his behavior to date.
If this isn't a horrific mess it will have to do until the mess gets here...
Or, will the thin skinned Trump grow weary of reminding us of his electoral victory, throw his hands up and take his ball and go home to NYC? Will he invade Bermuda? Will he run out into the gaggle of news people and physically assault someone over a perceived slight? I mean, it is within the realm of possibility given his behavior to date.
If this isn't a horrific mess it will have to do until the mess gets here...
14
Can we return to that magic night when the Cubs won the World Series after seeming down for the count? It has been all downhill since then. Trump is a flaming Narcissist and the Republicans care only for themselves and their party and F the country. The Kleptocracy that is Trump's cabinet can't wait to destroy the country for the almighty dollar. We can only hope Trump will start speaking in tongues and finally everyone will see that he is unfit to be president.
17
We are witnessing the biggest real-life example of willful blindness as the "emperor with no clothes"--a president who is clearly and demonstrably mentally unwell--is indulged at every turn as if the bizarre things he says and does are normal for a 70-year-old alleged billionaire man of lifelong privilege and ease. Guess what: They aren't.
26
AT LAST, someone who refers to the iconic Hans Christian Anderson tale "The Emperor's New Clothes," of which this past month (if not year) has been a marvelous parody. I've contemplated gifting the White House with an illustrated copy of that classic. Thank you, John-Manuel.
7
The whole of Trump's being elected and continually applauded in spite of his deficiencies is that it makes liberals apoplectic. There is a large number of Americans delighting in the effect their idiocy (Trump and supporters) has on those who would use reason and seek truth.
15
Use reason to seek truth? Liberals don't use logic any more, they found it easier to simply call someone they don't agree with a fascist and then rant mindlessly. Every NYT opinion piece begin with an ad hominem attack on Trump and then with total disregard for the truth proceeds to expound on some wild theory that Trump is in a treasonous alliance with Putin and his haft brother Satan.
4
Depressing, but true.
Egan is preaching to the choir of Trump resisters and blowing more hot air accomplishing nothing.
Only an anarchist who rejects all government power could rejoice in the paralysis of the Federal government.
The Federal government is essential to creating policies for the common good of all Americans.
The "resistance" dedicated to paralyzing the government does the opposite.
Only an anarchist who rejects all government power could rejoice in the paralysis of the Federal government.
The Federal government is essential to creating policies for the common good of all Americans.
The "resistance" dedicated to paralyzing the government does the opposite.
4
Who wants paralysis? That was the Tea Party. We just want to keep this destructive fool from doing too much damage before he is finally impeached. He's gotta go, folks! (But he might want to take us down with him.)
7
Remember who paralyzed the government a few years ago in October. Who was that again? Which party?
7
Trump and his wrecking crew are out to destroy effective democratic government.
5
Sadly omitted from this list is that 90% of Republican voters approve of everything that Timothy Egan has listed:
According to the latest CNN poll, 90% of Republicans approve of the way Trump has handled the presidency thus far. ... GOP voters look to the President and see a litany of accomplishments: a soaring stock market, withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, elimination of job-killing regulations, expedited permit approval, a hiring freeze on nonessential federal workers and a task force for reducing violent crime, among others. All this in just three weeks."
In sum, Americans who elected George Walker Bush, and re-elected him despite his Trillion dollar wars have found a hero in Trump, who not only duplicates GW's deceptions, deceits, and lies, but expands on them to the Nth power.
It may be that there are more critics of Trump than Trump supporters, but the supporters still control the Red Counties and Red States and Red Electoral Votes that elected Trump. Trump knows that. One of his many conceits is that he is unapologetic because he seriously is incapable of perceiving he's done anything "wrong" and relies on his supporters being similarly incapable.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/16/opinions/donald-trump-voters-applaud-press...
He's founding his 2020 campaign start on the belief that that isn't going to change in the modern U.S. Neither does he intend to do anything that threatens that status quo.
According to the latest CNN poll, 90% of Republicans approve of the way Trump has handled the presidency thus far. ... GOP voters look to the President and see a litany of accomplishments: a soaring stock market, withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, elimination of job-killing regulations, expedited permit approval, a hiring freeze on nonessential federal workers and a task force for reducing violent crime, among others. All this in just three weeks."
In sum, Americans who elected George Walker Bush, and re-elected him despite his Trillion dollar wars have found a hero in Trump, who not only duplicates GW's deceptions, deceits, and lies, but expands on them to the Nth power.
It may be that there are more critics of Trump than Trump supporters, but the supporters still control the Red Counties and Red States and Red Electoral Votes that elected Trump. Trump knows that. One of his many conceits is that he is unapologetic because he seriously is incapable of perceiving he's done anything "wrong" and relies on his supporters being similarly incapable.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/16/opinions/donald-trump-voters-applaud-press...
He's founding his 2020 campaign start on the belief that that isn't going to change in the modern U.S. Neither does he intend to do anything that threatens that status quo.
19
I keep reading that the VP had no knowledge of Flynn's actions or the Trump team's Russian connection? With the way leaks pour out of this corrupt administration, we're expected to believe Pence didn't know what was going on. Someone on the inside would have told him. This entire administration is tainted by the Russia problem, the VP included. They all need to go now and take the turtle from Kentucky and the spineless twit from Wisconsin with them. Disgraceful.
25
Lying Trump lying all the time.
Press should stop reporting his nonsense and not fall into his attention-getting trap. Having been a shallow celebrity for all his life, attention is what Lying Trump is striving for and craving for. Once media cuts down his livelihood, he will wilder and lose his weird magic.
According to Lying Trump, any Press (even bad one) is good one. Also as Megalomaniac, Trump thinks he is the center of the universe. Thus, we should pay attention to him 24/7.
If Press keeps following Lying Trump everywhere and correcting his false claim or misbehavior anytime it occurs, we are simply falling into his cheap trap--allowing him to get expensive air time and print space for free.
Mainstream Media should ignore him collectively. Once he doesn't get any attention, he will quiet down and he will lose his weird hold onto his stupid supporters. (sorry for being rude, for me, anyone can admire Trump must be stupid.)
For those who have long seen through this king without clothes, we are not interested in his lies and bad behaviors.
Press should stop reporting his nonsense and not fall into his attention-getting trap. Having been a shallow celebrity for all his life, attention is what Lying Trump is striving for and craving for. Once media cuts down his livelihood, he will wilder and lose his weird magic.
According to Lying Trump, any Press (even bad one) is good one. Also as Megalomaniac, Trump thinks he is the center of the universe. Thus, we should pay attention to him 24/7.
If Press keeps following Lying Trump everywhere and correcting his false claim or misbehavior anytime it occurs, we are simply falling into his cheap trap--allowing him to get expensive air time and print space for free.
Mainstream Media should ignore him collectively. Once he doesn't get any attention, he will quiet down and he will lose his weird hold onto his stupid supporters. (sorry for being rude, for me, anyone can admire Trump must be stupid.)
For those who have long seen through this king without clothes, we are not interested in his lies and bad behaviors.
14
Well done. Also painful to read.
I dont imagine this list will stop accumulating more points. Even the alleged Administration wins will be as painful.
I dont imagine this list will stop accumulating more points. Even the alleged Administration wins will be as painful.
16
What about the Holocaust Rembrandt Day speech that didn't mention the Jewish people? This list isn't even complete! Yes - so painful.
1
There will never be any "bipartisan"committees or hearings in Congress where uncovered specific acts by the president and his inner circle will lead to impeachment and removal from office. Republicans, holding firm majorities in both houses, will oppose to death through procedures. The only way to end this presidency's madness and terrifying will to destroy the United States from the inside out will occur when Democrats turn over every stone and reveal unlawful acts of omission and commission / misfeasance and malfeasance that cannot be denied. Democrats must never sleep until they put a lawful end to the monarchy occupying the White House through our federal criminal justice system.
14
I just don't know what to do about Trump, so I think I'll go ask Frederick Douglass what we should do. I hear he's done an amazing job and is getting more and more recognition.
42
My God. The recitation of the Presidential assaults on decency and integrity in government, the incompetence and utter boorishness in foreign affairs, and the despotic threats to fundamental freedoms he routinely bellows are far too shocking to read in one place and still hope to sleep restfully. And all of this in less than 30 days. What on earth has America done to itself?
65
I watch his "news conference" yesterday. I'm no psychologist, but anyone with a brain can tell this guy has some mental problems. He appears to me to be mentally unfit to serve. I know his in crowd doesn't want to accept that reality, but for the good of the country somebody needs to step up and do something. I'm scared to think of some of the things he can do and it appears the Kool-aid kids would go right along with him.
37
Do his family, notably his his children, care so little for him that they allow him to continue making a fool of himself rather than get him the care he apparently needs. It scares me that we may be faced with a classic situation of shared delusions.
4
Next prediction: Donald and Melania are breaking up. President Trump forced to step down to deal with important family matters. Great outpouring of sympathy for the man who tried to change Washington but who had to put his family first. Somehow all Obama and Clinton's fault.
58
From your keyboard to God's ears!
3
Carl, From your lips to God's ears.
3
Social anxiety disorder, according to the text, refers to a “marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others.”
Trial Documents Show Dylann Roof Had Mental Disorders
By KEVIN SACK FEB. 2, 2017
For a moment I thought I was reading an article on Trump and the text seems certainly interchangeable to such.
Is this why Trump only goes to his own hotels, restaurants, golf clubs? Is it that he is freaked out by outside scrutiny away from his blanky, and binky?
Trial Documents Show Dylann Roof Had Mental Disorders
By KEVIN SACK FEB. 2, 2017
For a moment I thought I was reading an article on Trump and the text seems certainly interchangeable to such.
Is this why Trump only goes to his own hotels, restaurants, golf clubs? Is it that he is freaked out by outside scrutiny away from his blanky, and binky?
17
February 17, 2016
Make America tribal fractions and here he gets an A.
Make America great again - here he gets an F - now and for however long we need to witness his delusional mental aberrations that to expensive to ignore.
JJA Manhattan, N.Y.
Make America tribal fractions and here he gets an A.
Make America great again - here he gets an F - now and for however long we need to witness his delusional mental aberrations that to expensive to ignore.
JJA Manhattan, N.Y.
12
We are ALL energized a little too late so it's gonna be a long hot summer. 2018 will be blistering.
9
What an excellent synopsis of the insanity of tRump and the new administration. I hope that the remaining people in power will apply checks and balances immediately. This cannot continue.
12
Don't look to the Republican controlled Congress.
3
"You slap yourself. You douse your head with water. The incompetence, the leaking, the daily indignities. What country is this?"
Exactly -- isn't there one language that has a word for this? It is beyond surreal. It's, "Do I have a brain tumor? Am I psychotic and I hallucinated this thing called America and democracy and the Constitution but I really live in North Korea? Is this the matrix? Red pill, please, may I have the red pill."
You can't take the truth without questioning your own sanity. Doesn't some language have a word for this feeling?
Exactly -- isn't there one language that has a word for this? It is beyond surreal. It's, "Do I have a brain tumor? Am I psychotic and I hallucinated this thing called America and democracy and the Constitution but I really live in North Korea? Is this the matrix? Red pill, please, may I have the red pill."
You can't take the truth without questioning your own sanity. Doesn't some language have a word for this feeling?
21
I believe Germans were saying and feeling the same in the the 1930's.
5
Donald's latest report card from Putin was an A+ with the notation:
Ты такой хороший мальчик, Да Вы
(Translation: You're such a good boy, yes you are!)
Ты такой хороший мальчик, Да Вы
(Translation: You're such a good boy, yes you are!)
20
My favorite was when he was being given an intelligence briefing, he took out his phone and tweeted that Nordstrom was treating his daughter unfairly.
I repeat: IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING!
(My second favorite was his mentioning Hillary Clinton 18 times yesterday.)
I repeat: IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING!
(My second favorite was his mentioning Hillary Clinton 18 times yesterday.)
37
He's a great president. Stop nitpicking. So he's a little nuts. Aren't we all?
So he insults Australia. They have kangaroos. We have to watch kangaroos, they ,along with grizzlies, threaten our children. Especially in the crime ridden inner cities. Like Bed Stuy,where I live.
I could go on. It makes no difference. He doesn't pay attention anyway.
Never unsure, always right, that's the ticket. A great America doesn't need a constitution. That's for liberal wimps, like the Judiciary.
Get rid of them all. Instead of a president we could have a Leader. Problem solved.
So he insults Australia. They have kangaroos. We have to watch kangaroos, they ,along with grizzlies, threaten our children. Especially in the crime ridden inner cities. Like Bed Stuy,where I live.
I could go on. It makes no difference. He doesn't pay attention anyway.
Never unsure, always right, that's the ticket. A great America doesn't need a constitution. That's for liberal wimps, like the Judiciary.
Get rid of them all. Instead of a president we could have a Leader. Problem solved.
9
I hope you are being facetious. Maybe you'd like that guy from N Korea.
3
Daddy Putin's little girl has earned an F for this month's effort. Teacher recommends vigilant adult supervision and the appointment of a Special Prosecutor.
11
As the mind-bending spectacle of Donald Trump's unhinged presidential "leadership" plays out on the stage of history, I propose that the best earthling to replace Trump as president would be - "Pot Sasquatch".
YouTube - Pot Sasquatch - Funny local news
YouTube - Pot Sasquatch - Funny local news
1
"The vice president lied to the public about this because he was not informed of it."
Dictionary.com defines "lie" as "a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive."
If the vice president was not informed of it, the use of the word "lie" is inappropriate.
Dictionary.com defines "lie" as "a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive."
If the vice president was not informed of it, the use of the word "lie" is inappropriate.
10
How does the dictionary define deviant?
1
Only if you believe he wasn't informed. Personally, I don't.
2
I'm sure he knew. They all knew and said nothing about it. When did they know? Why did they wait to do anything about it? It's a genuine coverup!
4
Trump has made the Rob Ford experiment in Toronto look like a rousing success.
21
I wouldn't go so far as to call Rob Ford an "experiment". His drug problems didn't really surface until well into his term. With Trump, we knew what type of man he is during the election. What we saw is what we're getting.
1
Trump needs to be impeached. If evidence conclusively shows that he and/or his agents aligned with Russia to support his election, he should be removed from office ... and then tried for treason. Trump's tax returned should be subpoenaed...and disclosed to the nation.
The radical right have so threatened the GOP that they have sold morality and duty for power. They will hang onto and support Trump for fear of loosing their jobs. Trump could not, would not, be in the White House but for the wholesale abandonment of morality and duty by the GOP leadership.
How to do it: there are a few Senators in the GOP who have not sold their moral compasses. We the People must lobby them. The Nation must come before party. Those few know that and, I believe, have the courage to call out McConnell and Ryan. They just need a push. They need to experience a 'Profile in Courage' moment.
The continued existence of our nation is of greater importance than any political party, any government or any president.
The radical right have so threatened the GOP that they have sold morality and duty for power. They will hang onto and support Trump for fear of loosing their jobs. Trump could not, would not, be in the White House but for the wholesale abandonment of morality and duty by the GOP leadership.
How to do it: there are a few Senators in the GOP who have not sold their moral compasses. We the People must lobby them. The Nation must come before party. Those few know that and, I believe, have the courage to call out McConnell and Ryan. They just need a push. They need to experience a 'Profile in Courage' moment.
The continued existence of our nation is of greater importance than any political party, any government or any president.
31
This is turning into a real test of the American system of government. Will checks and balances actually work when we have an unbalanced president? Will separation of power between the administration, congress and the judiciary forstall the empowerment of a tyrant? Will cooler and wiser heads of both parties seek each other out to form an effective collaboration that protects the interests of the nation despite the incoherent whims of the not popularly elected president? An optimist like me hopes that we will emerge stronger and more united from a hopefully short Trump era, having burned off the fevers of nationalism and neo fascism while also having rid ourselves of the long twilight of Clinton triangulation.
11
Big punches are being thrown and either Trump or what's left of the respected press in this country are doing under. The press probably has the edge as long as they are not abandon. But inorder for the free press to prevail some big financial names must come off the sidelines in a big public way. I'm 71 years old and this is something in my lifetime I have never seen before: the approach of an extinction level event.
19
The big question. Is the American system of checks and balances impotent while this highly destructive nonsense goes on day after day? Democracy is fundamentally the rule of the majority. What we have is a toxic minority imposing, with the help of a toxic foreign leader its demented will on the majority of people in the US and by extension in the world at large. The question journalists should be focusing on right now is: What can be done to hasten the end of this nightmare? There is no point wasting so much energy on criticizing the madness instead of looking for the remedies.
16
AS has been said-Rocking Chair President. lots of movement but no forward progress. This will be the pattern for a long time.
4
Make America Real Again.
3
Tell us what you really think, Tim.
2
The trade bluster and promise to make Mexico pay for the wall has greatly increased the risk of policies that could disrupt supply chains and reduced economic activity.
A reason the Border Adjustment Tax idea surfaced was the bizarre campaign promise by Donald Trump to have Mexico pay for the border wall. A headline during the election was - Trump's plan to seize Iraq's oil: "It's not stealing, we're reimbursing ourselves". The word "reimbursing" is now being used in context with Trump's assertion that he will force Mexico to pay for the wall. Trump reiterated that he would have seized Iraq's oil recently at a speech at to the CIA. A "trade" war might not look so bad as compared with the prospect of Trump using military force to seize Mexican gulf oil assets to reimburse the cost of the wall. In terms of the worst things that could ever happen to the USA, military conflict with Mexico when at least 10% of the American population is of Mexican heritage has to be high on the list.
Possibly, as an alternative to the use of military force, the idea of a 20% tax on goods from Mexico surfaced as a way to have Mexico pay for the wall. There are a number of problems with this idea. Even Kellyanne Conway would have a hard time explaining that a tax paid by an American consumer of Corona beer is actually Mexico paying for the wall. A 20% tax on Mexican goods would violate the NAFTA treaty and more importantly the WTO rules. .."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/4042715
A reason the Border Adjustment Tax idea surfaced was the bizarre campaign promise by Donald Trump to have Mexico pay for the border wall. A headline during the election was - Trump's plan to seize Iraq's oil: "It's not stealing, we're reimbursing ourselves". The word "reimbursing" is now being used in context with Trump's assertion that he will force Mexico to pay for the wall. Trump reiterated that he would have seized Iraq's oil recently at a speech at to the CIA. A "trade" war might not look so bad as compared with the prospect of Trump using military force to seize Mexican gulf oil assets to reimburse the cost of the wall. In terms of the worst things that could ever happen to the USA, military conflict with Mexico when at least 10% of the American population is of Mexican heritage has to be high on the list.
Possibly, as an alternative to the use of military force, the idea of a 20% tax on goods from Mexico surfaced as a way to have Mexico pay for the wall. There are a number of problems with this idea. Even Kellyanne Conway would have a hard time explaining that a tax paid by an American consumer of Corona beer is actually Mexico paying for the wall. A 20% tax on Mexican goods would violate the NAFTA treaty and more importantly the WTO rules. .."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/4042715
7
He's quickly undoing everything that has made America great. Somehow, legally, Trump and his rogues' gallery of cabinet picks must be stopped before they do serious damage to the welfare of the majority of people and to the environment.
16
Let's face facts. The only indictable crime for a president today is to be boring. Few want to watch documentaries, news analysis or no-drama Obamonics. Decades of "reality" entertainment have conditioned the electorate to expect Russian moles running the government, terrorists conspiring in every mosque, nuclear holocaust evaded by a whisker before the final commercial. Film at eleven.
6
Pitch perfect. Trump is a walking mental case. Look up the descriptions and there you will find him. Has anyone looked for records psychological or psychological evaluations/treatment? I had some hope that maybe Ivanka and Jared knew well enough and knew how bad the outcome would be that they might have dissuaded Trump from his foray into politics. Or at least not being outspoken supporters. Maybe they never imagined he would win and now have to live with this horror every day. His poor grandchildren.
7
This Presidency is like a TV reality show which, considering Trumps background, is understandable.
3
This report card should begin with "Cheated in the test" and conclude with "being expelled."
11
A great summary!
9
Who is the bigger problem in America now? The irrational moron who kisses Putin's "zhopa" or the "patriots" in government and the public who voted for and supports this "president" over the welfare of the country and its citizens? These people want political power and money more than the health and betterment of our country; in fact, they are even willing to hurt and/or destroy it. In my youth we called such people"traitors" -- today they call themselves "republicans."
After all that he has done, how can anyone still support "President Zhopa"?
After all that he has done, how can anyone still support "President Zhopa"?
12
"They are lying every day. They are lying always, and mainly they are lying to their public opinion."
"The information was correct, but the interpretations were not," he said. "I did my duty up to the last minute."
Former Iraqi Information Minister Muhammed Saeed al-Sahaf (M.S.S.)
Better known as “Baghdad Bob”
"The information was correct, but the interpretations were not," he said. "I did my duty up to the last minute."
Former Iraqi Information Minister Muhammed Saeed al-Sahaf (M.S.S.)
Better known as “Baghdad Bob”
4
The weird thing is that trust in the mainstream media is not necessary to see Trump for the terrible leader and person that he is. We each have FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE of what Trump is saying and doing. Unless someone goes so far as to say the actual TRANSMISSION of Trump's words and deeds is inaccurate, where does "trust" in the media even enter the equation?
To evaluate Trump as a leader and as a person, all that's required is to establish a personal standard of acceptable behavior and then apply it to Trump. For instance, without thinking about Trump specifically, establish a definition for "lying." Then review Trump's statements on a given issue (unemployment, his margin of victory, releasing his tax returns, birtherism, crowd size, etc.). Never mind the news commentary, just cut to the actual materials you can see for yourself. Is unemployment between 28% and 42% as Trump claimed during his campaign? Did he have the largest electoral victory of all time? Has he released his tax returns as he said he would before? Were more people at his inauguration than Obama's? When Trump makes a patriotic a reference to "Article XII" of the U.S. Constitution, there's no excuse for not determining for one's self that there is no such Article. When Trump denies his own words, there's no excuse for not taking 30 seconds to find the video clip, Tweet, speech or debate transcript that would settle the issue.
To evaluate Trump as a leader and as a person, all that's required is to establish a personal standard of acceptable behavior and then apply it to Trump. For instance, without thinking about Trump specifically, establish a definition for "lying." Then review Trump's statements on a given issue (unemployment, his margin of victory, releasing his tax returns, birtherism, crowd size, etc.). Never mind the news commentary, just cut to the actual materials you can see for yourself. Is unemployment between 28% and 42% as Trump claimed during his campaign? Did he have the largest electoral victory of all time? Has he released his tax returns as he said he would before? Were more people at his inauguration than Obama's? When Trump makes a patriotic a reference to "Article XII" of the U.S. Constitution, there's no excuse for not determining for one's self that there is no such Article. When Trump denies his own words, there's no excuse for not taking 30 seconds to find the video clip, Tweet, speech or debate transcript that would settle the issue.
11
Just yesterday I thought of a potential headline for the Onion:
"Man Wakes From Coma, Learns Current Politics, Requests More Coma"
This Presidency is real and scary.
NYT, WP, CNN, and other's status as defenders of democracy has certainly been augmented. Keep fighting, keep digging, get the answers. I would bleed for the free press.
"Man Wakes From Coma, Learns Current Politics, Requests More Coma"
This Presidency is real and scary.
NYT, WP, CNN, and other's status as defenders of democracy has certainly been augmented. Keep fighting, keep digging, get the answers. I would bleed for the free press.
11
Trump seems to disregard the simple fact that the press does not work for him, has no requirement to curry his favor and he cannot fire them.
12
Mr. Egan,
Please keep banging the drum.
Did anyone ever think Trump would be elected? NO. He didn't either. So don't take anything for granted. Lying, devious men are placed in positions of power:
Flynn, Comey, still there.
Now we have a man who's been given Carte Blanche by the GOP, his family and his pals have links to government in Russia, and family members are invited to sit in on all sorts of high level talks. Connect the dots, there's something terribly wrong with the picture. Come out of the coma, America. Don't think you haven't been warned about the unthinkable.
Please keep banging the drum.
Did anyone ever think Trump would be elected? NO. He didn't either. So don't take anything for granted. Lying, devious men are placed in positions of power:
Flynn, Comey, still there.
Now we have a man who's been given Carte Blanche by the GOP, his family and his pals have links to government in Russia, and family members are invited to sit in on all sorts of high level talks. Connect the dots, there's something terribly wrong with the picture. Come out of the coma, America. Don't think you haven't been warned about the unthinkable.
6
One thing I don't understand: why aren't journalists sticking together? When the president tells one of them to be quiet (that is, shut up), or to sit down, he is telling ALL of them to shut up and sit down. (Sound familiar, Senator McConnell?) The whole lot of them should stand up for the journalist who has been silenced and bullied. ALL of them should stand up, or ALL of them should leave the press room at the same time. You, and by extension, we, don't have to put up with that kind of treatment. It's degrading of our First Amendment, among many other things, and it is willful withholding of information that is not his to withhold. Get together and walk out until he learns how to be civil.
33
To use a sports metaphor, Tim you got it in one!
3
"The vice president lied to the public about this because he was not informed of it." Why does the NY Times insist on stating this as fact? There's is no reason to believe Pence didn't know. Just because he said so? Like his counterparts in the White House he is part of a lying machine grinding its way through the Constitution and everything we hold dear. And if you think he doesn't lie, go back through his many interviews prior to the election where, when asked if he agreed with Trump's agenda on various issues, he consistently denied Trump had stated those views. It was easier to lie than to say he agreed with them.
23
It's called the opinion pages. This is not a news report! What is so difficult to understand about this?
1
I am talking in general. The reporting always suggest Pence didn't know as fact. I do not believe it is fact.
2
@Robert Delaney:
So, much like global warming, if we all just ignored Trump he would go away?
So, much like global warming, if we all just ignored Trump he would go away?
11
All of this IS unbelievable, except everybody in the WORLD can witness it if they have access to a t.v. If the rest of the government (meaning everybody other than Trump). needs to review instances of Presidential behavior that desperately need attention, this editorial is it. If there is anybody who needs to review what
has been going right in front of their noses, there might be a need to review THEM. Surely there is a way to protect ourselves from a maniac.
has been going right in front of their noses, there might be a need to review THEM. Surely there is a way to protect ourselves from a maniac.
4
The media, the intelligence and the judiciary will get him in the end. History will repeat itself. In the meantime, we have to watch his parade of buffoons and spineless Republicans trip over themselves trying to explain the inexplicable.
We gave him a chance and he blew it- BIGLY.
We gave him a chance and he blew it- BIGLY.
4
True, Trump and his cronies have done history-making in one month - everything wrong i.e.
4
You forgot to mention that Hillary Clinton was brought up at least 5 times. Mainly questioning about what she did what she would have done and how he could always do a better job. He either got too much praise as a child or not enough. Not sure which.
5
What about born-again right-wing Christians Mike Pence and his wife attending and speaking at a pro-life protest rally? Is this appropriate for a vice president? Americans are guaranteed the separation of Church and State and the line has become too blurred today.
12
That upset me bigly also. Pence will need to be hooted down.
2
I don't like it but Pence has the right to speak his mind. He doesn't have the right to insert his religious beliefs into public policy and I'm afraid that's what we're in for.
1
We are dealing with people who have no use for the U.S. Constitution -- surely the "Muslim Ban" made that clear.
3
Yes, a DEGENERATE par exellance
4
And where are the GOP's leaders while all this is going on? I'll tell you where. They are sitting in backrooms with their paymasters planning the complete immiseration of working and middle class America. Goodbye ACA. Goodbye Medicaid. Goodbye EPA. Goodbye Social Security. Goodbye to all that! There's nothing to stop them while Trump and his minions put on their little dog and pony shows, distracting an opioid addled, God besotted public with each new Trump scandal du jour.
And all this tragic farce is happening because the press - and that includes you New York Times - was more worried about Hillary Clinton's emails and Clinton Foundation meeting journals than in reporting Trump's obvious unfitness for office and spectacularly evil character. Thanks a bunch.
I live in a nation of morale cowards and fools!
And all this tragic farce is happening because the press - and that includes you New York Times - was more worried about Hillary Clinton's emails and Clinton Foundation meeting journals than in reporting Trump's obvious unfitness for office and spectacularly evil character. Thanks a bunch.
I live in a nation of morale cowards and fools!
14
Tim Egan: I must give you a standing ovation. A total home run.
12
A report card is used as a tool to objectively reflect a student's knowledge versus fact. In the public sector an employee is evaluated against work performance standards (job description). Has the President read his? Should he be exempt from the standards by which any other civil servant is rated?
The campaign, primaries, and election was, no matter how flawed a process, America's job interview. We the people have the right and responsibility, as President Trump's employer of record, to mandate that the original Personnel Manual (that document called the Constitution) be a part of the White House New Employee Orientation. The little concept about three co-equal branches of government, is conveniently forgotten in the daily theater that is Trump tweets, words, and behaviors.
Here is a reality check: the Executive Branch is not meant to make law, it is meant to enforce and implement the laws made by Congress. The explanation that the immigration ban was only problematic because of the courts and a lack of communication with Agency Heads is just laughable. Anyone that understands government KNOWS it is impossible to draft a paragraph and expect line staff to make legal and policy interpretations in 15 minutes in ridiculous. Yet, we all find it impossible to look away from the spectacle that is our modern-day Don Trump Quixote tilting at windmills with nary a clue about real versus imaginary enemies.
The campaign, primaries, and election was, no matter how flawed a process, America's job interview. We the people have the right and responsibility, as President Trump's employer of record, to mandate that the original Personnel Manual (that document called the Constitution) be a part of the White House New Employee Orientation. The little concept about three co-equal branches of government, is conveniently forgotten in the daily theater that is Trump tweets, words, and behaviors.
Here is a reality check: the Executive Branch is not meant to make law, it is meant to enforce and implement the laws made by Congress. The explanation that the immigration ban was only problematic because of the courts and a lack of communication with Agency Heads is just laughable. Anyone that understands government KNOWS it is impossible to draft a paragraph and expect line staff to make legal and policy interpretations in 15 minutes in ridiculous. Yet, we all find it impossible to look away from the spectacle that is our modern-day Don Trump Quixote tilting at windmills with nary a clue about real versus imaginary enemies.
4
I will borrow a bit from a movie ("A Time to Kill"--no suggestion intended) and ask those who still support Trump to close their eyes, and imagine: you have a president who insults our allies, threatens Mexico with invasion, de-legitimizes the Federal Judiciary, blasts a retailer for dropping his daughter's clothing line, cites imaginary hordes of illegals who stole the popular vote from him, packs his cabinet with those who are unqualified to lead and/or actually inimical to the goals of the agencies they are to run, and brags about sexually assaulting women. Then imagine--he is black.
You know in the situation above, we would have had citizens threatening lynching on the White House lawn. Why does Trump get a pass because he is white (or orange)? I beg his supporters to watch his 2/16 news conference in full, and ask themselves--is this the wise, stable person we need in the Oval Office?
You know in the situation above, we would have had citizens threatening lynching on the White House lawn. Why does Trump get a pass because he is white (or orange)? I beg his supporters to watch his 2/16 news conference in full, and ask themselves--is this the wise, stable person we need in the Oval Office?
15
Well, for his supporters, he is exactly who they want in the Oval Office. Sad.
2
The sad part of this excellent indictment of the electorally-elected president is that all those who did not vote for Trump (a proven fact that it was the majority of the country) knew this was coming. Even sadder is the reality that the Republican party stands by and watches as a lying madman runs the country into the ground. In the end, it is the silent GOP who will be more to blame than Trump himself.
19
Not all Republicans. Rep. Walter Jones from North Carolina just gave his support to the Trump-Russian investigation. I personally called his office and pledged dollars for his next campaign. And I'll do it for other Republicans who step up as well!!
7
Mr. Egan's return from coma list corresponds to mine, except that it's shorter and has two minor differences. I would't say Pence lied and the Russian ship off the coast is reportedly routine.
I try to understand what some of my relatives and neighbors see when they look at President Trump through the lens of Fox and his televised appearances. I can't stomach Fox, so I watched Trump's long appearance yesterday. Summary from my anxious memory: saved jobs and new plants and fair deals and safe borders and accomplished more than any president and Democrats in congress slowing progress and everything in place and leaked facts are facts although not true and a really big heart and dishonest media won't report the good stuff and criminal leaks and believe me and big win underreported and crime way up and I can fix things and the press will say I ranted (while using his indoor voice) and very successful former model ready to be best first lady and biggest margin of electoral votes since Reagan -- remarks not in that order -- plus he does say the "we" word these days. He looks like he wants me to love him and that causes me to think he's sincere (my weakness). His face and hair appear less orange. My relatives and neighbors don't take notes and neither did I.
I try to understand what some of my relatives and neighbors see when they look at President Trump through the lens of Fox and his televised appearances. I can't stomach Fox, so I watched Trump's long appearance yesterday. Summary from my anxious memory: saved jobs and new plants and fair deals and safe borders and accomplished more than any president and Democrats in congress slowing progress and everything in place and leaked facts are facts although not true and a really big heart and dishonest media won't report the good stuff and criminal leaks and believe me and big win underreported and crime way up and I can fix things and the press will say I ranted (while using his indoor voice) and very successful former model ready to be best first lady and biggest margin of electoral votes since Reagan -- remarks not in that order -- plus he does say the "we" word these days. He looks like he wants me to love him and that causes me to think he's sincere (my weakness). His face and hair appear less orange. My relatives and neighbors don't take notes and neither did I.
10
Sal--Pense is NOT out of the trump loop. Never has been. He's been taking the daily briefings, because he's a little more focused than his "boss." He would have been really angry if he had been left out of any of this. He knew/knows what's been going on. Pense lied. I wish media would stop validating his "innocence."
141
You must have listened to it several times.
1
ChesBay, Pence lied? I thought he was a devout Christian.
4
It is difficult to fathom how millions of people can listen to Trump's lies, obfuscations and alternate reality and, rather than cringe with embarrassment, calmly support his views. Where can the USA go from here? It has shown me the complete lack of integrity of most on the right, especially the politicians, and only Glen Beck has demonstrated integrity throughout. I simply cannot imagine anyone on the left or in the center supporting an unhinged, pathological liar no matter what the perceived payoff.
15
We are all going to need psychiatrists by the time this administration is done destroying our nation. I go between forcing myself not to cry and getting angry and writing checks to organizations that oppose the actions of this administration, in hopes that my contributions make a difference.
I have no confidence that those republicans I once had a sliver of respect for will do anything to help our country against the harm trump will continue to inflict.
I have no confidence that those republicans I once had a sliver of respect for will do anything to help our country against the harm trump will continue to inflict.
16
Norma--Respect for Republicans? Uh, no. They are complicit in all of this, but their refusal to address the issue and deal fairly with us. The public, myself included, has been badly, psychologically abused by all this worrisome trump/congress crapolla.
5
And now the good news. It's reassuring to know this fine tuned machine is cleaning up the big mess he inherited. I long for the days of Pres Obama. Things are so bad I wouldn't mind the days of W.
2
As a commenter here, Deborah said, this country can survive Trump but we can't survive the Trump voter. The repulsive GOP, its leadership and lock on Congress by gerrymander, voter suppression, and other creative cheating, is nothing new. Their naked greed, lust for power and blind servility to the NRA, Norquist and Kochs are despicable but not new.
Only with the infestation of Trump do we see how much actual danger the Trump voter and the GOP have put the country in.
Hand wringer apologists explain the Trump supporter: generally white, middle-aged, middle-class, male population, left behind by globalization, technology, without skills, will, or incentive to realize the American Dream, blah and blah. Somehow, being left behind is somebody else's fault and justification for supporting a racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, moderately-to-seriously loony thug.
Somehow, the culture has let them down by being too inclusive, too liberal, too hell bent on political correctness, aka civility. The culture ridicules thick-headed, dumb and dumber clods, and the government has let blacks and Hispanics and other off-white people take over everything.
This sewage was peddled by Limbag and right-wing media for years, but it has bubbled up to the surface to take over the party and now the country. We had plenty of warning and to most of us the tilt toward the radical right and the courting of the dumb and dumber was apparent even if the exact degree of hair-raising danger wasn't.
Only with the infestation of Trump do we see how much actual danger the Trump voter and the GOP have put the country in.
Hand wringer apologists explain the Trump supporter: generally white, middle-aged, middle-class, male population, left behind by globalization, technology, without skills, will, or incentive to realize the American Dream, blah and blah. Somehow, being left behind is somebody else's fault and justification for supporting a racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, moderately-to-seriously loony thug.
Somehow, the culture has let them down by being too inclusive, too liberal, too hell bent on political correctness, aka civility. The culture ridicules thick-headed, dumb and dumber clods, and the government has let blacks and Hispanics and other off-white people take over everything.
This sewage was peddled by Limbag and right-wing media for years, but it has bubbled up to the surface to take over the party and now the country. We had plenty of warning and to most of us the tilt toward the radical right and the courting of the dumb and dumber was apparent even if the exact degree of hair-raising danger wasn't.
12
Enough with the cataloging; we've been doing it since the campaign. We've forgotten most of it because--there's too much for us to store in our mental filing cabinet drawers labeled "Ppres election" and "current US Pres" because no one knew we needed to multiply the capacity by 1000. But it's all better forgotten--we're human and we have ways to distract, protect, and heal ourselves. The VOLUME is now utterly meaningless.
What is the underlying intent and how can we attack it with precision and efficacy?
What is the underlying intent and how can we attack it with precision and efficacy?
And yet the trump voters, who are the majority and base of the Republican party, are buying into it. How? This is the question that must be answered.
4
"And yet the trump voters, who are the majority and base of the Republican party, are buying into it."......No one likes to admit they have done something stupid. They will hold out and deny to the bitter end.
4
If investigators find what we all suspect, that Trump and his campaign colluded with the Russians to get him elected, then Hillary should be made President immediately, not Pence. If a "team" cheats and gets stripped of its title, then WHOLE team must forfeit the "trophy." No one on the team must benefit. If we let Pence take over, then we set a precedent that could continue to undermine our system of fairness and justice. We'll still be left with the people who were complicit in the crimes committed and thus we'll still have a tainted White House. Hillary should win not just by default, but with a legitimate majority of votes.
9
Someone needs to put up billboards that simply list the electoral college results of the last 10 elections and, following John Oliver's example, buy some time on the few channels Trump watches to show a graph of electoral college results.
The punchline? "You can't change results by saying they never happened."
The punchline? "You can't change results by saying they never happened."
7
Tim, if the Republicans who stood up against Trump in the primaries had any spine left they'd have stayed anti-Trump even now and stopped this liar from doing so much of damage to their party in one month.
But it seems like the yahoos that give the backbone to the party of Lincoln are without their tailbones since Trump won.
Except John McCain who hates Putin more than he hates a rat are showing some resolve into this invasion of our country by the oligarchs from Russia led by Putin than being proud of the American exceptionalism that all the American citizens grew up with.
In the domestic sphere Trump's threat to 'defund' the most populous of state,California is like a mid summer's dream. Not to mention stupid too.
And what he did in the same month when he picked up a fight with Mexican president is a low blow.
And in the same month he announced that our very brave army,navy,marines and air force personnel will be killing those same rebels we trained and supported to fight Putin's stooge Assad's army.
And that begs the question as to why the Republicans other than McCain and Lindsey Graham are not thinking about our country's sovereignty and but are trying to make Putin our de facto foreign Secretary at the urging of Trump.
Oh. Okay. I get it. Midterm election is coming next year and these spineless and gutless enemies of America need 60+ million Trump voters to keep the congress in their fold and thus stopping the Democrats from coming back into power.
How crooked !
But it seems like the yahoos that give the backbone to the party of Lincoln are without their tailbones since Trump won.
Except John McCain who hates Putin more than he hates a rat are showing some resolve into this invasion of our country by the oligarchs from Russia led by Putin than being proud of the American exceptionalism that all the American citizens grew up with.
In the domestic sphere Trump's threat to 'defund' the most populous of state,California is like a mid summer's dream. Not to mention stupid too.
And what he did in the same month when he picked up a fight with Mexican president is a low blow.
And in the same month he announced that our very brave army,navy,marines and air force personnel will be killing those same rebels we trained and supported to fight Putin's stooge Assad's army.
And that begs the question as to why the Republicans other than McCain and Lindsey Graham are not thinking about our country's sovereignty and but are trying to make Putin our de facto foreign Secretary at the urging of Trump.
Oh. Okay. I get it. Midterm election is coming next year and these spineless and gutless enemies of America need 60+ million Trump voters to keep the congress in their fold and thus stopping the Democrats from coming back into power.
How crooked !
4
The Trump/Bannon administration is flailing about in flurry of incompetent attempts to govern. But their plan is shut down legitimate journalism and to use the Big Lie technique perfected by the Nazis to cover up their failures.
Among the most insidious movements in the Trump world is the concerted effort to shutdown criticism. His mad-hatter attacks on the media are part of his plan to discredit the press as fake news. Very disturbing is that the administration is been pushing a plan to privatize the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which would axe funding for hundreds of local NPR and PBS stations around the country that are already fighting to stay on the air. The fight just escalated since Rep. Doug Lamborn (R–Colorado) has introduced legislation to cut off federal funding for NPR and PBS.
Call you Congressman and insist that they keep CPB alive and well.
Among the most insidious movements in the Trump world is the concerted effort to shutdown criticism. His mad-hatter attacks on the media are part of his plan to discredit the press as fake news. Very disturbing is that the administration is been pushing a plan to privatize the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which would axe funding for hundreds of local NPR and PBS stations around the country that are already fighting to stay on the air. The fight just escalated since Rep. Doug Lamborn (R–Colorado) has introduced legislation to cut off federal funding for NPR and PBS.
Call you Congressman and insist that they keep CPB alive and well.
10
I think President Trump is a genius! His plan is brilliant and he's pulling the wool over the eyes of the most intelligent people in America. He deploys his signature brand of populist nonsense that you correctly point out just fires up the 35-40% of his core supporters. This explosive combo of shoddy reasoning, double talk, and blatant disregard for facts has the rational people in this country with their hair on fire and they debate/console each other on how best to cope with Mr. Trump. Meanwhile, while your eyes are off the ball, he is ramming through an agenda that seeks to strip the environment, lessens our security and standing throughout the world, and makes him and his buddies' even more rich, at the taxpayer's expense. Until Trump, I didn't really understand Hitler's form of insanity, but now I know --it's really a kind of narcissistic genius!
9
You're wrong. Under your definition of "genius", it's not Donald Trump you should be acknowledging.
It's Steve Bannon.
It's Steve Bannon.
1
Our president is behaving like a petulant adolescent. He refused to answer questions directly at his news conference, instead using his time to reiterate "I won". He interrupted journalists in mid-question. I sincerely hope his base is paying close attention to his behavior.
10
His base is paying attention but, sadly, they love his behavior.
3
Oh, and there is more to this report card.
He said on Day One he was going to repeal Obamacare. He and the Republicans have not. Maybe it is not that easy to do, even though the Republicans have had six years to develop the alternatives.
He said on Day One he was going to assign a special prosecutor to investigate Hillary Clinton's private email server, and then "Lock Her Up." He has not, though a special prosecutor may be necessary for looking at Trump's administration and connections to Russia.
He said he was going to build a fabulous wall on the border with Mexico. But the experts are saying that maybe a fence, and even then, it will cost twice what he said. Are we also going to build a wall on the Canadian border? Kind of gives a new visualization of the wall separating Berlin.
He said he was going to ban Muslims from entering the US, and an Appellate Court said no - you are not.
Over half the appointments he has made for Cabinet posts are either incompetent (DeVos, Perry), unprepared, and/or mean spirited. These are not the "best and brightest the US has to offer" as per Trump.
Hillary was right - most of the 60 million who voted for him are from the basket of deplorables. They have no idea what hell they have unleashed on America, and the world.
He said on Day One he was going to repeal Obamacare. He and the Republicans have not. Maybe it is not that easy to do, even though the Republicans have had six years to develop the alternatives.
He said on Day One he was going to assign a special prosecutor to investigate Hillary Clinton's private email server, and then "Lock Her Up." He has not, though a special prosecutor may be necessary for looking at Trump's administration and connections to Russia.
He said he was going to build a fabulous wall on the border with Mexico. But the experts are saying that maybe a fence, and even then, it will cost twice what he said. Are we also going to build a wall on the Canadian border? Kind of gives a new visualization of the wall separating Berlin.
He said he was going to ban Muslims from entering the US, and an Appellate Court said no - you are not.
Over half the appointments he has made for Cabinet posts are either incompetent (DeVos, Perry), unprepared, and/or mean spirited. These are not the "best and brightest the US has to offer" as per Trump.
Hillary was right - most of the 60 million who voted for him are from the basket of deplorables. They have no idea what hell they have unleashed on America, and the world.
19
Thanks for cataloging Trump's chaotic try at government duties. While the republican orchestra plays on we are becoming the laughing stock of the world.
9
Recall during the campaign when there were talks about health issues, why in the world would DT say that HRC has syphilis? Why would anyone blurt out a disease that's not commonly talked about? The way this man deals is that whatever's ailing him he'll throw it to someone else. I'm saying this because I could not fathom that someone who accuse their opponent of having syphilis and it actually came out of his mouth. Check this out folks...check out the symptoms of neurosyphilis which is directly related to the disease. Some of symptoms include, among other things, dementia. That's why this is not a normal course of events.
7
We are living in the counterfactual reality, "What if Donald Trump Had Won." It is playing out with all the over-the-top unrealistic bluster of similar counterfactuals, such as "The Man in the High Castle." I'm sure I will wake up soon to the real world where the President is a qualified woman.
1
President Trump's bizarre speech and actions now provide the perfect distraction as the Republican leadership prepares to ram its pro-plutocratic agenda through Congress: environmental and financial deregulation; reduced taxes, especially for the rich; then on to privatization of Social Security and Medicare.
The GOP has successfully diverted white working class voters from recognizing the major cause of their woe: Although corporations are creating jobs for robots, computers and offshore employees, little is being done to create well-paying jobs for Americans.
When will workers wake up to the the following fact? The GOP leadership fervently supports the thesis that the enhancement of shareholder value and executive compensation are the main objectives of corporate enterprises. Workers’ interests will continue to be sacrificed to secure these goals.
President-elect Trump, the GOP leadership and its right-wing radical media enablers will continue to cynically misdirect white working class anger at twin targets: immigrants who "are taking their jobs" and the minority groups whose sole interest, it is falsely claimed, is in continuing to "live tax-payer supported lives of dependency on government handouts."
Pandering to populism, piety, patriotism and prejudice will continue, all to the advantage of both Mr. Trump and the GOP establishment.
Forget about the path to serfdom. With President Trump and the GOP leadership we are now on the superhighway to kleptocracy.
The GOP has successfully diverted white working class voters from recognizing the major cause of their woe: Although corporations are creating jobs for robots, computers and offshore employees, little is being done to create well-paying jobs for Americans.
When will workers wake up to the the following fact? The GOP leadership fervently supports the thesis that the enhancement of shareholder value and executive compensation are the main objectives of corporate enterprises. Workers’ interests will continue to be sacrificed to secure these goals.
President-elect Trump, the GOP leadership and its right-wing radical media enablers will continue to cynically misdirect white working class anger at twin targets: immigrants who "are taking their jobs" and the minority groups whose sole interest, it is falsely claimed, is in continuing to "live tax-payer supported lives of dependency on government handouts."
Pandering to populism, piety, patriotism and prejudice will continue, all to the advantage of both Mr. Trump and the GOP establishment.
Forget about the path to serfdom. With President Trump and the GOP leadership we are now on the superhighway to kleptocracy.
5
I think it is very important for you to write such a report card every month, and keep it as a cumulative add on to the previous months, maybe developing some kind of recap. I think it is also important to keep a list of "failed promises", regarding such thing as tax returns, and business dealings...so as to somehow make sure a body of evidence develops in one place.
I am hopeful we will see some good things make the list, but I am getting more and more concerned.
I am hopeful we will see some good things make the list, but I am getting more and more concerned.
1
What you've written is great fiction and scary but it couldn't have happened. Not in this country. This is Stephen King stuff. You know, stuff like The Corn.
Come on, stop scaring us with fictitious ravings of a madman and a buffoon.
It's the weekend. Let's chill. Have a brewski.
AARGH!
Come on, stop scaring us with fictitious ravings of a madman and a buffoon.
It's the weekend. Let's chill. Have a brewski.
AARGH!
There is a BIG reason why Trump voters still cling to him no mater what he says or does... because they also still cling to their GUNS.
2
The claim that his WH is a well oiled machine would be true only if we a talking about a guillotine, otherwise it's been a sh*t show from day one.
2
After his press conference yesterday, here's the takeaway for his supporters:
1.Media is dishonest.
2. Leaks are fake news.
3.Things are going great and he's done a lot.
If he is accomplishing so much and is on track, why was so little time given to specifics on his agenda NOW (as opposed to Nov. 9) and what exactly has been done. His Labor Secretary pick was hardly mentioned. Isn't that progress? He should try and claim some credit for doing something other than focusing on the media and his election "victory".
1.Media is dishonest.
2. Leaks are fake news.
3.Things are going great and he's done a lot.
If he is accomplishing so much and is on track, why was so little time given to specifics on his agenda NOW (as opposed to Nov. 9) and what exactly has been done. His Labor Secretary pick was hardly mentioned. Isn't that progress? He should try and claim some credit for doing something other than focusing on the media and his election "victory".
We need the tax returns, the tax returns!
3
Failing Trump Presidency. Not funny at all. Should be canceled.
He's exhausting us.
**Again, voters believed all of the lies about Hillary Clinton, and none of the truths about Donald Trump.**
Flashback to campaign:
Gave out Sen. Lindsey Graham’s personal phone number in campaign speech
Named himself as primary consultant on foreign policy
Asked national security advisers why the U.S. can’t use nuclear weapons
Compared his sacrifices as a businessman to parents whose son was killed in war
Praised adviser who called for Clinton's execution
Praised unhinged conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, telling him, I will not let you down
Called Russia’s 2014 invasion of Ukraine so smart
Penned in journalists, turned crowds against them at rallies
Barred reporters from events for unfavorable coverage
Urged supporters to beat up protesters at his rallies
Said veterans with PTSD weren't strong, can't handle it
Hired white-nationalist website guy as campaign chief
Put head of white nationalist party on list of California delegates
Falsely said U.S. economy experiencing slowest growth since 1929
Advocated assassinating terrorists’ families
Advocated shutting down mosques
Responded to murder of 49 at Pulse nightclub with “appreciate the congrats for being right on Islamic terrorism
Called supporters attacking homeless Hispanic man very passionate, love their country
Refused to condemn anti-Semitic attacks on journalists
Advocated withholding free public education from kids not studying
He's exhausting us.
**Again, voters believed all of the lies about Hillary Clinton, and none of the truths about Donald Trump.**
Flashback to campaign:
Gave out Sen. Lindsey Graham’s personal phone number in campaign speech
Named himself as primary consultant on foreign policy
Asked national security advisers why the U.S. can’t use nuclear weapons
Compared his sacrifices as a businessman to parents whose son was killed in war
Praised adviser who called for Clinton's execution
Praised unhinged conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, telling him, I will not let you down
Called Russia’s 2014 invasion of Ukraine so smart
Penned in journalists, turned crowds against them at rallies
Barred reporters from events for unfavorable coverage
Urged supporters to beat up protesters at his rallies
Said veterans with PTSD weren't strong, can't handle it
Hired white-nationalist website guy as campaign chief
Put head of white nationalist party on list of California delegates
Falsely said U.S. economy experiencing slowest growth since 1929
Advocated assassinating terrorists’ families
Advocated shutting down mosques
Responded to murder of 49 at Pulse nightclub with “appreciate the congrats for being right on Islamic terrorism
Called supporters attacking homeless Hispanic man very passionate, love their country
Refused to condemn anti-Semitic attacks on journalists
Advocated withholding free public education from kids not studying
10
Mr. Egan, Thanks for helping me catch up with the real facts. Now if you don't mind, I think I'll just pass back into my coma...
6
Mr Egan. Perfect , thanks.
1
This column practically wrote itself, but is no less appalling for summarizing what we've seen from Trump.
3
If this summary doesn't fall under: Swamp of the Swamps, I don't know what else would be more descriptive.
1
F minus.
3
Zero point zero.
One of our fundamentalist Trump-fan relatives in the South keeps posting messages on her Facebook page about how we all need to "pray for our President." Okay, it is worth a try, I guess:
Dear gods that be,
Please deliver this country from our deranged and destructive President Trump, his horrible advisors and cabinet appointees, and the morally bankrupt and authoritarian GOP before they do any more damage to people all around the world and wreck your planet.
We look forward to hearing from you--but sooner would be be better than later!
Amen
In the meantime, I think I will write a letter and call my Republican Congressman who refuses to hold town hall meetings to hear directly from the citizenry, send my my contribution to Planned Parenthood, and go join the next anti-Trump protest.
Vote Republican, and Make America a Total Mess Again!
Dear gods that be,
Please deliver this country from our deranged and destructive President Trump, his horrible advisors and cabinet appointees, and the morally bankrupt and authoritarian GOP before they do any more damage to people all around the world and wreck your planet.
We look forward to hearing from you--but sooner would be be better than later!
Amen
In the meantime, I think I will write a letter and call my Republican Congressman who refuses to hold town hall meetings to hear directly from the citizenry, send my my contribution to Planned Parenthood, and go join the next anti-Trump protest.
Vote Republican, and Make America a Total Mess Again!
3
Can I just start by saying "I love you, Tim Egan!" It's alright with my husband, and I hope your wife won't mind.
Seriously, we both have read and admire your books, and your commentaries are keeping me sane. Sure, you did leave out a few things, but this is a column, not a book! I am ready to wake up from this nightmare, but, unfortunately, some nights are longer than others.
ps My husband wants to know the location of the great fishing spot frequented by you and your brothers.
Seriously, we both have read and admire your books, and your commentaries are keeping me sane. Sure, you did leave out a few things, but this is a column, not a book! I am ready to wake up from this nightmare, but, unfortunately, some nights are longer than others.
ps My husband wants to know the location of the great fishing spot frequented by you and your brothers.
1
Ah contraire, this administration is a "fine tuned machine," powered by the coal, gas, oil and Wall Street interests. Don't be fooled into thinking that this is not a Rube Goldberg device - distracting, complicated and with one end product - a poorer United States of America.
Pollution will be unleashed in the name of corporate profits. Taxes will be reduced for both the rich and their corporations. Military spending will increase. How will these boons be paid for? Reduce spending on oversight - no EPA and head agencies with saboteurs. Reduce or eliminate spending on healthcare- Medicare, Medicaid, ACA. Reduce Social Security. Reduce spending on Education ("love the uneducated." Rape our national parks- mining, logging etc.
Freedom of speech, civil rights and voting rights will be undermined further by more gerrymandering combined with laws to curtail peaceful protests and voting, and right to work legislation.
45 was elected by giving Americans a bleak picture of our country; he and all those complicit with him will insure that his mirage becomes real and far bleaker, and as they profit, we will all lose.
Pollution will be unleashed in the name of corporate profits. Taxes will be reduced for both the rich and their corporations. Military spending will increase. How will these boons be paid for? Reduce spending on oversight - no EPA and head agencies with saboteurs. Reduce or eliminate spending on healthcare- Medicare, Medicaid, ACA. Reduce Social Security. Reduce spending on Education ("love the uneducated." Rape our national parks- mining, logging etc.
Freedom of speech, civil rights and voting rights will be undermined further by more gerrymandering combined with laws to curtail peaceful protests and voting, and right to work legislation.
45 was elected by giving Americans a bleak picture of our country; he and all those complicit with him will insure that his mirage becomes real and far bleaker, and as they profit, we will all lose.
David, as a trusted member of the Republican establishment you have more sway over congressional opinion than most columnists for this paper. I implore you to use that power to press for Rep. action to investigate all allegations and reign in this unbalanced man. The longer he stays in office, the more damage he will do to the country and world. He WILL set off WWIII with no one to stop his irrational behavior. You must lead the charge to impeach him before the inevitable occurs.
2
About half of what you wrote is actually true and the other half is probably false. But why let facts get in the way of a hit piece.
You "journalists" still don't get it.
You are not IMMUNE from criticism. The knife now cuts both ways and you are all hollering like stuck pigs!
If you were honest, fair and factual with your headlines, stories and especially your editorials, we would not be where we are... divided right down the middle. You no longer own the truth.
You "journalists" still don't get it.
You are not IMMUNE from criticism. The knife now cuts both ways and you are all hollering like stuck pigs!
If you were honest, fair and factual with your headlines, stories and especially your editorials, we would not be where we are... divided right down the middle. You no longer own the truth.
Nobody "owns" the truth. The truth is the truth, facts are facts, things either happen or don't. If you believe this editorial is false, where is your proof? After all, even a Trump voter should be able to use Google. But of course, the deplorables, ignoramuses, and failures who have unleashed this national embarrassment upon our country and the world are not interested in facts. They are blinded by their hatred of the "elites" to the point where all they can do is foam at the mouth. They cannot rebut the media reports because these reports are true. And no, the country is not divided "right down the middle". It is divided between a rational, if lethargic, majority and a vocal and unhinged minority. And this minority is shrinking as the people who may have voted for Trump because of tax cuts or some other traditional conservative item are beginning to realize what company they are finding themselves in. "Stuck pigs" may be a good description for the die-hard Trump supporters.
1
"Probably false"- what does that mean? Is that like "alternative fact"? Something is either false or it is not. What the heck is "probably false"?
1
lf you agree that half of what Mr. Egan has written is actually true, doesn't that scare the heck out of you? Shouldn't we expect better from the person who is the president?
1
Well put. And I would just add Betsy DeVos and that press meeting with her and teachers and parents. Trump asked one parent where his kids did better (guy said his kids had been to both) in private or public schools. Guy said "private" . Trump said something along the lines that ,of course private was better. And by better, he and Betsy do not mean the Catholic school that is part of my town and has been there since the nuns started it years ago.They are talking about for profit private schools.
3
He has got to go..we won't survive a President who is unfit, Republicans get it together. You prove you are not patriotic by ignoring trumps rants..all talk, no action as usual.
2
A well-tuned machine? More like an old Harley- leaking all over the place.
3
With everything that needs to be addressed, 45 has decided to spend the weekend having his ego stroked, so it's off to Melbourne, Florida for another stop on the Victory Tour/campaign rally. All those cheers and red caps from his screened audience will sustain him for another month, and he'll point to the "yuge" crowd that came out to show their support for everything he has "done". I can already write his Monday morning tweets about how the sad "fake media" underestimated the massive turnout. I don't see a happy ending to this ongoing trainwreck, since we have already seen that the Repub Congress isn't going to act as long as their individual seats look safe.
2
Thank you, Mr. Egan. A well-documented list that could probably go on much longer, if one really wanted go into more detail.
Let me add one. Seeing as it's still Black History Month, one of my favorites, in addition to his maligning of Civil Rights icon John Lewis, was Trump's recognition of the esteemed abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass, when he said:
"Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who's done an amazing job and is getting recognized more and more, I notice."
The only thing he didn't notice is that Douglass died in 1895.
It's bad enough when a president is endorsed by the Ku Klux Klan and White Supremacists, and has also made a point of vilifying an entire race on his way to the White House -- but this comment really made it impossible to ignore just how clueless he is.
Perhaps being in a coma instead of having to witness all this and what's to come, is the better alternative after all.
Let me add one. Seeing as it's still Black History Month, one of my favorites, in addition to his maligning of Civil Rights icon John Lewis, was Trump's recognition of the esteemed abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass, when he said:
"Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who's done an amazing job and is getting recognized more and more, I notice."
The only thing he didn't notice is that Douglass died in 1895.
It's bad enough when a president is endorsed by the Ku Klux Klan and White Supremacists, and has also made a point of vilifying an entire race on his way to the White House -- but this comment really made it impossible to ignore just how clueless he is.
Perhaps being in a coma instead of having to witness all this and what's to come, is the better alternative after all.
5
Priceless column, Mr. Egan! It says it all! I'm 83 years old, and what do I do first thing in the morning - while coffee is brewing of course - but dash to my laptop, quickly scan emails to see if there is Breaking News with Trump's latest god-awful incompetent Executive Order! A lot has happened in this great country during my years of living and I've watched it all, so I know a MESS when I see one - and we are in a big one right now! I've never seen or heard anything like it! When the crotch-grabbing tape emerged I thought for sure that would be the end of Trump, but no, here we have crashed through a month in office, and it just keeps getting worse! Any fool could have predicted that Trump's behavior, at 70, wouldn't change! God help us - if she's watching!
3
This morning I have contacted my two senators and my representative, Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan asking that someone start impeachment proceedings on Donald Trump before things get worse than they are. I encourage everyone to do the same. Flood the government today.
3
And don't forget to add (paraphrasing) "some of my best friends are Jews!" When are we going to depose this ignorant, mentally unstable embarrassment?
2
Just as the German people had to face up to the fact that they had brought a tyrant to power that started a world war, Americans must have their own reckoning after this administration is over, assuming we survive it (I'm not being overly dramatic). We must never again allow such an individual to attain the level of dog catcher, much less the presidency. Admit it America! We have become lax in our electoral responsibilities. And it's not just the presidency. We need to pay closer attention to what our elected representatives are doing. If we had, we would never have rewarded Republicans for 8 years of obstruction and party-over-country behavior. Anything less than 85-90% turnout for even mid-term elections is an abdication of your civic duty. Don't tell us that you're too busy to vote when people seem to find all kinds of time and energy for marches and demonstrations. I read a story that constituents of Elizabeth Warren were carrying signs telling her to "Do Your Job!". That sign should be pointed back at us. If we, the electorate, had DONE OUR JOB (meaning voted), our country would not be crashing down around our ears right now.
4
44: Intelligent. Inclusive. Compassionate. Presidential.
45: Deluded. Deceptive. Vindictive. Unfit.
Congress must be pressured to secure 45's tax returns and investigate the myriad of Russian ties and conflicts of interest surrounding him. Now. Keep calling them. Shame them into action.
45: Deluded. Deceptive. Vindictive. Unfit.
Congress must be pressured to secure 45's tax returns and investigate the myriad of Russian ties and conflicts of interest surrounding him. Now. Keep calling them. Shame them into action.
7
Thank you, Timothy Egan, for laying out this remarkable list of Trump's "accomplishments" after a mere four weeks in the White House. I'm sure you could not include everything, but what you did include is staggering to the imagination. We knew it was going to be bad but our definition of "bad" changes every day.
This tumultuous White House reality show makes trust in our government seem like a long-forgotten dream. The ratings of Trump's reality show may be high, but audience anxiety is higher still. Remember how they called our former President "No drama Obama?" Only now do we see how fortunate we were.
This tumultuous White House reality show makes trust in our government seem like a long-forgotten dream. The ratings of Trump's reality show may be high, but audience anxiety is higher still. Remember how they called our former President "No drama Obama?" Only now do we see how fortunate we were.
4
Trump's plan to have a hedge fund guy oversee all the intelligence agencies will turn the flood of leaks into a broken-dam torrent. He will rant and rave about the "fake news" they create but may eventually rant himsels into an asylum. Every appearance seems more unhinged and even Bannon and Gruppenfuehrer Miller must be getting nervous.
1
They say the disgruntled white male voter 30-55, high school grad (or some similar demographic description) forms the hard core of support for Trump, sometimes referred to the 35% who will support him no matter what - reference Trump's "shoot a man on 5th Avenue" comment.
They also say that this group is, in defiance of every other trend for every other demographic group, suffering a rising death rate, from suicide, drugs and/or alcohol dependence.
I beginning to hope they kill themselves off even faster and get out of the voting pool. They're the only nuts who can continue to support the madman Trump. note: I'm a 58 year old white man in the south. I know this group.
They also say that this group is, in defiance of every other trend for every other demographic group, suffering a rising death rate, from suicide, drugs and/or alcohol dependence.
I beginning to hope they kill themselves off even faster and get out of the voting pool. They're the only nuts who can continue to support the madman Trump. note: I'm a 58 year old white man in the south. I know this group.
4
If we "normalize" Trump, we normalize:
1. Disrespect for the Constitution and laws of the United States;
2. The refusal to accept the legitimacy of one's political opponents;
3. Public officials' refusals to respect the people who disagree with them and the condoning of officials who deny a fair hearing to critics' claims;
4. Diminishment of the media's right to communicate the truth and its duty to keep the citizenry informed;
5. The failure of public office holders to bear the responsibilities of public office with dignity;
6. Infidelity to facts and recourse to frequent distractions, falsehoods, and outright lies in order to manipulate the public;
7. The abandonment of customary practices that insure some degree of transparency on the part of public officials and the hiding of public officials' potential conflicts of interest beneath layers of opacity;
8. Disrespect for the members of the judiciary.
9. Nepotism and cronyism.
10. The condoning of public officials who are avaricious, self-servingly ambitious and vengeful.
11. An authoritarian assault on democratic freedom;
Please add your own contributions to this list.
Over two centuries ago, John Adams warned American citizens:
"[A]varice, ambition, [or] revenge . . . would break the strongest cords of our constitution as a whale goes through a net."
Every patriotic citizen should read David Frum's "How to Build an Autocracy" and Jonathan Rauch's "Containing Trump"--both in "The Atlantic," March, 2017.
1. Disrespect for the Constitution and laws of the United States;
2. The refusal to accept the legitimacy of one's political opponents;
3. Public officials' refusals to respect the people who disagree with them and the condoning of officials who deny a fair hearing to critics' claims;
4. Diminishment of the media's right to communicate the truth and its duty to keep the citizenry informed;
5. The failure of public office holders to bear the responsibilities of public office with dignity;
6. Infidelity to facts and recourse to frequent distractions, falsehoods, and outright lies in order to manipulate the public;
7. The abandonment of customary practices that insure some degree of transparency on the part of public officials and the hiding of public officials' potential conflicts of interest beneath layers of opacity;
8. Disrespect for the members of the judiciary.
9. Nepotism and cronyism.
10. The condoning of public officials who are avaricious, self-servingly ambitious and vengeful.
11. An authoritarian assault on democratic freedom;
Please add your own contributions to this list.
Over two centuries ago, John Adams warned American citizens:
"[A]varice, ambition, [or] revenge . . . would break the strongest cords of our constitution as a whale goes through a net."
Every patriotic citizen should read David Frum's "How to Build an Autocracy" and Jonathan Rauch's "Containing Trump"--both in "The Atlantic," March, 2017.
4
The irresistible urge to be diabolical, to be a heathen, and to utter a cavalcade of codswallops, are the typical attributes of Trump, as has been observed so far. It is becoming more perspicuous that his ''fine tuned engine'' has been leaking oil, from time immemorial. In addition, quite rapidly, it is becoming crystal clear that whatever iota of magnanimity left in him, is being replaced by magniloquence and megalomania.
When it comes to describing himself, his embellishment knows no boundaries. For instance he keeps saying his ''306'' was the biggest win ever since Reagan. That itself is a flat-out lie. One wonders if his myrmidons are writhing with unpleasant feelings, standing or sitting.
In general, he has been scorning at documented data, as if they were manufactured. Whenever he opens his mouth, he spews a ton of taradiddle. His never-ending bare knuckle brawls with certain targeted press reporters have been extremely egregious, to say the least.
If his first month as the POTUS is any guidance to his future performances, one shudders at his deals with Russia, if the latter becomes more roguish, and starts to roughshod over smaller and weaker nations, heaven forbid.
When it comes to describing himself, his embellishment knows no boundaries. For instance he keeps saying his ''306'' was the biggest win ever since Reagan. That itself is a flat-out lie. One wonders if his myrmidons are writhing with unpleasant feelings, standing or sitting.
In general, he has been scorning at documented data, as if they were manufactured. Whenever he opens his mouth, he spews a ton of taradiddle. His never-ending bare knuckle brawls with certain targeted press reporters have been extremely egregious, to say the least.
If his first month as the POTUS is any guidance to his future performances, one shudders at his deals with Russia, if the latter becomes more roguish, and starts to roughshod over smaller and weaker nations, heaven forbid.
1
Perhaps some big pharma company will capitalize on the feelings of hopelessness, and queasiness so many of us are experiencing under the Trump administration.
Wouldn't it be apropos if it were Martin Shkreli?
Some suggested names for branding:
Trumpoid
Trumpirica
Trumpanse
Trumpilify
Wouldn't it be apropos if it were Martin Shkreli?
Some suggested names for branding:
Trumpoid
Trumpirica
Trumpanse
Trumpilify
2
No on the names. I didn't swallow that pill before and I ain't going to ever.
He's totally unhinged. He's not just bluster: he truly believes his world of "alternative facts." Does anyone need a psychologist to say as much? Pence, Ryan et al., will stay close enough not to be branded traitors in the eyes of Trump's loyal base (who's support they will one day need), but far enough away not to be sucked into the vortex when Trump and his "finely-tuned machine" goes down. Flynn was, for sure, just the appetizer; the main course awaits. And, meanwhile, the Republicans will (try to) push on with their agenda, difficult as this might be amidst all the chaos. Rand Paul is right: Republicans won't go after Republicans. Not these ones, anyway. They've worked too long and hard, gerrymandered too effectively, to risk tossing it all away now. So don't expect a special prosecutor any time soon, or any real investigation into the Russia connection. But then why do they need one? There's the press and, so far anyway, the courts, and a fierce and burgeoning grass-roots opposition. Hang in there; it's just a matter of time. The only question is how long, and what will be left when all is done?
2
Since November 8th, I have been shamed into the position of having sympathy and understanding for the Trump voter. If I could understand their hardship and concerns, I would be able to see how failed Hillary/Obama/Democrats are as true Americans. Never mind the popular vote. The real America spoke on election day and I am merely allowed to exist on the coast for my tax contribution - and shut up.
Well one month in and Trump supporters are very happy I imagine. They got to experience liberals crying as Muslims aka terrorists were turned away at airport customs, ICE agents going into immigrants homes and dragging them away in cuffs, Trump ignoring the Jewish Holocaust, Trump dissing the Blacks in Congress, Trump announcing that only he tells the truth, and on and on.
So gratifying for his supporters. This is My America! Let's let the mentally unfit by guns too!
As Trump flies around the country amid his golden towers, Trump supporters see the strong authoritarian leader who will make their lives better. Those voucher checks are in the mail. And the new Ford plants will not have robotics.
So you see, I do understand my fellow citizens. They dismiss me as a crybaby, snowflake sore loser. My vote no longer counts so get used to it. The real truth will be shoved down my throat because I am to UnAmerican to see.
It has been an A+ month for Trump. See I understand now how I and my fellow coastal dwellers have way over reacted and should stop the hysteria.
Resist.
Well one month in and Trump supporters are very happy I imagine. They got to experience liberals crying as Muslims aka terrorists were turned away at airport customs, ICE agents going into immigrants homes and dragging them away in cuffs, Trump ignoring the Jewish Holocaust, Trump dissing the Blacks in Congress, Trump announcing that only he tells the truth, and on and on.
So gratifying for his supporters. This is My America! Let's let the mentally unfit by guns too!
As Trump flies around the country amid his golden towers, Trump supporters see the strong authoritarian leader who will make their lives better. Those voucher checks are in the mail. And the new Ford plants will not have robotics.
So you see, I do understand my fellow citizens. They dismiss me as a crybaby, snowflake sore loser. My vote no longer counts so get used to it. The real truth will be shoved down my throat because I am to UnAmerican to see.
It has been an A+ month for Trump. See I understand now how I and my fellow coastal dwellers have way over reacted and should stop the hysteria.
Resist.
2
I can only hope this administrations slap-dash "reality show" style of governance tanks swiftly. After only a month ... all the lies, ineptitude, prejudices and subterfuge are exhausting! Entertaining the notion that "a businessman" was what's needed to successfully run this country has been exposed as an embarrassing failure at home and abroad.
2
Sorry: Feb 1-Feb 17 =17 days. 29 days is still the month of Feb
After reading this, I'm not sure if I should laugh or cry.
2
We are living in a very bad horror movie titled, "The Orange Creature who lives in the Gold Swamp." Warning, this movie is real and very scary. Worse, we don't know how it will end, but possibly with the death of many watching the movie.
1
Almost every country has a leader like Trump.....but he is unique and exceptional.
"...the president bragged about his Electoral College win."
President Trump wanted to WIN the presidency. He didn't want to do the work after winning. Remember, the motto of his board game is "It's not whether you win or lose, but whether you win!" He's getting bored/upset - it'll be even worse when he likely finds that his reception at his Saturday "I'm The President! Yay For Me!" rally won't be great.
But I continue to be puzzled by the outrage at President Trump shown by the nearly five percent of American voters who (combined) voted for Jill Stein, Gary Johnson, and Evan McMullin. Those votes would have likely tipped the election electorally. Yet these people continue to insult Trump voters as dumb/scary parts of the electorate without ever acknowledging that they themselves knew they were throwing away their vote.
They voted AGAINST Sec. of State Clinton out of pure pettiness; they assumed she would win anyway and selfishly, repeatedly claimed their "consciences" would be clear only if they symbolically protested the crowning of "Queen Hillary".
Which resulted in President Trump. How's that working out for them - and the rest of us? I guess it's working out for Gary Johnson - who got nearly 4.5 million votes (more than 3%). Then he dropped off the face of the earth - he also abandoned Twitter *on* Nov. 8 - to train for a 2,786 mile bike ride from Canada to New Mexico. But hey, no surprise. Johnson/Stein/McMullin took a lot of willing people for a ride...
President Trump wanted to WIN the presidency. He didn't want to do the work after winning. Remember, the motto of his board game is "It's not whether you win or lose, but whether you win!" He's getting bored/upset - it'll be even worse when he likely finds that his reception at his Saturday "I'm The President! Yay For Me!" rally won't be great.
But I continue to be puzzled by the outrage at President Trump shown by the nearly five percent of American voters who (combined) voted for Jill Stein, Gary Johnson, and Evan McMullin. Those votes would have likely tipped the election electorally. Yet these people continue to insult Trump voters as dumb/scary parts of the electorate without ever acknowledging that they themselves knew they were throwing away their vote.
They voted AGAINST Sec. of State Clinton out of pure pettiness; they assumed she would win anyway and selfishly, repeatedly claimed their "consciences" would be clear only if they symbolically protested the crowning of "Queen Hillary".
Which resulted in President Trump. How's that working out for them - and the rest of us? I guess it's working out for Gary Johnson - who got nearly 4.5 million votes (more than 3%). Then he dropped off the face of the earth - he also abandoned Twitter *on* Nov. 8 - to train for a 2,786 mile bike ride from Canada to New Mexico. But hey, no surprise. Johnson/Stein/McMullin took a lot of willing people for a ride...
7
Trump Von Clownstick (thanks to Jon Stewart) is the mess, not the country or the world. President Obama gave a gift to Von Clownstick, compared with George W. And in one month it is TVC who has messed it up so. He spends every day signing executive orders encased in Olive Garden menus, and the nights watching FOX "News" and all the other Fake News. Then his twittering thumbs have at it hammer and tong, tweeting up a storm that would make the Mad King Richard appear stable.
This is the Idiot in Chief 60 million deplorable poorly educated goobers voted with supreme confidence that this numb nut could make America great, whatever that is suppose to mean.
One Month Report: All F's and Incomplete's.
Trump Von Clownstick is a disgrace and no sane American has anything to be proud of.
DD
Manhattan
This is the Idiot in Chief 60 million deplorable poorly educated goobers voted with supreme confidence that this numb nut could make America great, whatever that is suppose to mean.
One Month Report: All F's and Incomplete's.
Trump Von Clownstick is a disgrace and no sane American has anything to be proud of.
DD
Manhattan
4
Sadly, forty percent of American voters are reading this and saying, "Heckuva job! Keep it up!"
1
Mr. Trump is a performer... He comes out with his schtick and patter no matter what the circumstances because that's what he has to offer. It's true he's turning in a poor performance as president. But I'd encourage media folks not to let themselves be totally distracted by Trump's star turn. Keep looking at the sideshow, where the everyday damage is being done, and the beginnings of the new policy regime are taking shape. A few highlights: the house freedom (sic) caucus is on record now planning to torpedo anything other than a full repeal of the ACA; our republican congressional leaders are trying to underfund the free breakfast program for poor schoolchildren; out in the states, republican legislatures are passing laws to deny women's rights to their own bodies (this is not an exaggeration -- see recent bills in AL & TN); one of the very first executive orders Trump signed took a modest mortgage savings away from low-income homeowners; members of a Congressional Hispanic Caucus were just denied access to a meeting with ICE officials. Right now republican leaders seem more interested in sticking it to Hillary Clinton's IT guy than investigating Trump administration ties to foreign governments. I don't deny that's outrageous. But the more mundane outrages are ongoing as administration and congressional rightwingers tee up domestic policies that will harm many, many people. When dealing will con artists it's important to look past the main show.
3
When the GOP doesn't speak out against Trump then he speaks for the entire party. #NationalEmbarrasement
2
How can he be expelled?
2
Dear Republicans with a backbone: (if there are any)
Our country cannot stand much more of this executive dysfunction. You know it. Every Democrat knows it. When will you, for the good of the nation, join them and begin impeachment proceedings?
An anxious nation is waiting for you to use that backbone, and stand up to this
raving maniac in the Oval and stop this dog and pony show.
While we are distracted by an out of control executive, a very much in control GOP Congress is dismantling every regulation, law and program that protects our wildlife, our water, our public education, our public lands and parks, our food and drugs, our financial systems, and every other regulation, law and program that assists we, the people. They ar doing this with glee at the behest of their corporate masters and we are silent bystanders entranced by a would-be despot's unraveling.
When will enough be enough for you?
Our country cannot stand much more of this executive dysfunction. You know it. Every Democrat knows it. When will you, for the good of the nation, join them and begin impeachment proceedings?
An anxious nation is waiting for you to use that backbone, and stand up to this
raving maniac in the Oval and stop this dog and pony show.
While we are distracted by an out of control executive, a very much in control GOP Congress is dismantling every regulation, law and program that protects our wildlife, our water, our public education, our public lands and parks, our food and drugs, our financial systems, and every other regulation, law and program that assists we, the people. They ar doing this with glee at the behest of their corporate masters and we are silent bystanders entranced by a would-be despot's unraveling.
When will enough be enough for you?
2
This president is mentally unstable. Period.
3
General Raymond A. Thomas, leader of Special Operations Command, warned of unbelievable turmoil in our government.
General Kelly, now in a civilian position, Sec'y of HHS, has discussed use of the National Guard in rounding up immigrants, praising the "force multiplying" effect of the Guard.
The clownish behavior of Trump distracts from the fact that he has crafted government by generals, billionaire financiers, and rabid Southern bigots.
General Kelly, now in a civilian position, Sec'y of HHS, has discussed use of the National Guard in rounding up immigrants, praising the "force multiplying" effect of the Guard.
The clownish behavior of Trump distracts from the fact that he has crafted government by generals, billionaire financiers, and rabid Southern bigots.
3
So, HOW many of the Patriots have taken a pass on a visit with trump? How many invitees, to the WH, have ducked the invitation? Most sane people do not want anything to do with this lying knucklehead. F-.
2
More of the same NYTs yak yak. Putin stole the election, of course no evidence provided. The US most certainly interfered in Ukrainian politics, now thousands dead. US interferes in a zero sum proxy war in Syria against Russian client, now 100,000s dead. US drone strikes 100s of innocent dead. And that's just since the Obama Administration. Under Bush at least 200,000 innocent dead. The fact that the US has not killed any politicians recently makes the comparison the US is innocent in its ridicules obsession with Putin is mind boggling. Trump of course is any easy target. A bigger buffoon in a more important position cannot be imagined.
While reading this column I was also watching Congressman Peter King being interviewed on CNN about the Trump mess. I live in the congressional district adjacent to Kings' so I regularly get to hear all his blathering but I was stunned by his very positive review of what we have all been watching unfold over the past four weeks. Either he's crazy or he's desperate to hold together the GOP front supporting Trump. I think it's a 50/50 mix personally.
5
It's a long & lamentable list. But it's not helpful in mobilizing resistance. We need digging, facts. For example, were Trump or his cronies involved in Russian money laundering? Etc. And let's document for all to see what these Republicans are up to, throwing sand in the gears of government. They have to have the light shine clear upon them so their propaganda is seen to be only that.
4
Reminiscent of Jefferson's long list of grievances directed at another mentally unsound tyrant, George III, in the Declaration of Independence. In both cases, spot-on.
6
"You slap yourself. You douse your head with water." Here's one you forgot, Mr. Egan: You ask yourself if it's too early in the day to start drinking.
4
Bravo, Tim!
2
Brings to mind LBJ's quote about the last year of his presidency, "I feel like I'm living in one continuous nightmare."
2
Here's what gets me about the news conference: Not one reporter asked Trump about the veracity of the information contained in the leaks. They asked if the leaks were "real" and he said yes. But that doesn't get him on record saying that he thought the details contained in leaked were true. It was frustrating watching the press corp miss this golden opportunity.
3
Trump said the leaks were real but the news reports were fake. The reporter had trouble understanding how these things were compatible. My guess is that Trump meant that leaks did occur, but the reports missed their meaning or maybe their unimportance. However, Trump made no attempt to say what exactly was "fake". He never does.
1
Government is not the problem; Republicans in government are the problem.
10
You missed the most important one. Trump said at his press conference Thursday that it would be great if he shot the Russian spy ship, the Viktor Leonov, out of the [international] water. Of course that could easily be the beginning of World War 3 with the world's other great NUCLEAR power. Then he backtracked.
Even thinking this shows how mentally unstable he is. But to say it in live televised press conference? You can hear the people in the Kremlin saying:
Putin's Aide: Mr. President turn on television quickly. Trump just said he would sink Viktor Leonov in order to help himself.
Putin: I thought he was useful idiot but now I know he's just idiot. Tell Wikileaks to release his tax returns, and tell FSB release video of golden showers. [Thinks to himself: YA dolzhen byl pri podderzhke Khillari. Ona mozhet byt' zhestkoy, no ona ne sumasshedshaya.]*
*I should have supported Hillary. She may be tough but she's not crazy.
Even thinking this shows how mentally unstable he is. But to say it in live televised press conference? You can hear the people in the Kremlin saying:
Putin's Aide: Mr. President turn on television quickly. Trump just said he would sink Viktor Leonov in order to help himself.
Putin: I thought he was useful idiot but now I know he's just idiot. Tell Wikileaks to release his tax returns, and tell FSB release video of golden showers. [Thinks to himself: YA dolzhen byl pri podderzhke Khillari. Ona mozhet byt' zhestkoy, no ona ne sumasshedshaya.]*
*I should have supported Hillary. She may be tough but she's not crazy.
9
Donald Trump´s administration is a smooth-running machine devised by Rube Goldberg.
6
Change you can believe in?
11
With this precedent setting president words fail me, so I decided to come up with a few new ones like, Maelstrump and Tantrump to describe not only yesterday's news conference, but the past four weeks of chaos we have had to endure.
Luckily we still have a free press, but I fear that a future Deep Throat to expose the corrupt and dangerous inner workings of our current administration would be more difficult if our president declares that the leaks are true but the reports on them are false. Seems like a bit of circular unlogic to me.
Luckily we still have a free press, but I fear that a future Deep Throat to expose the corrupt and dangerous inner workings of our current administration would be more difficult if our president declares that the leaks are true but the reports on them are false. Seems like a bit of circular unlogic to me.
1
Yes, it's quite a first-month resume. And through it all, do you know who is watching, smiling, approving, loving it all? Steve Bannon.
I can't help but think of the line from "The Dark Knight," referring (indirectly) to the Joker: "Some men just want to watch the world burn."
Trump is Bannon's blazing torch of fiery chaos.
I can't help but think of the line from "The Dark Knight," referring (indirectly) to the Joker: "Some men just want to watch the world burn."
Trump is Bannon's blazing torch of fiery chaos.
Remember this is the kind of president the Trumpies want: one of their own kind who lies, cheats, denies reality, etc. They put him in office to disrupt Washington because as they say "He's not a politician". You got what you wanted. How's that working out for you?
Column kind of writes itself, doesn't it? Unfortunately for all of us, the method the rank and file working class Republican voter chose to punish their own party has backfired and now we get to deal with the repercussions. It was all a joke, right? This is what happens when Fox News makes cynics out of ordinary Americans. You want the Three Stooges? Okay, you get the the Three Stooges.
I keep thinking of the Bonnie Tyler lyrics, from Footloose: "I need a hero!"
The whole country needs one. So far, Senator John McCaine has been the only one to stand-up to Donald Trump, along with his co-pilot, Lindsay Graham. McCaine was a hero a long time ago. Please, John, you and Lindsay are our only hope.
With the GOP controlling both Houses of Congress, only the Republican Party--to which Trump has given his "Trump-branded" loyalty to, they term. The Leadership--Ryan and McConnell, are more intent on pushing ideological nonsense through, rather than saving the Nation. That's why we need McCaine!
John and Lindsay here our only hope! Everyone else in the GOP is protecting their political butts, while they hedge on "I have my reservations", but still sell their souls to the Devil.
McCaine and Graham are astuter enough to realize that we're quickly approaching a downward--Death Spiral--and the "TTTTs" will soon eliminate all hope of recovery. That GOP Dynamic Duo can surely convince a core of moderate Republicans to join with them and, perhaps, give others the backbone to do what's right--for once?
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
The whole country needs one. So far, Senator John McCaine has been the only one to stand-up to Donald Trump, along with his co-pilot, Lindsay Graham. McCaine was a hero a long time ago. Please, John, you and Lindsay are our only hope.
With the GOP controlling both Houses of Congress, only the Republican Party--to which Trump has given his "Trump-branded" loyalty to, they term. The Leadership--Ryan and McConnell, are more intent on pushing ideological nonsense through, rather than saving the Nation. That's why we need McCaine!
John and Lindsay here our only hope! Everyone else in the GOP is protecting their political butts, while they hedge on "I have my reservations", but still sell their souls to the Devil.
McCaine and Graham are astuter enough to realize that we're quickly approaching a downward--Death Spiral--and the "TTTTs" will soon eliminate all hope of recovery. That GOP Dynamic Duo can surely convince a core of moderate Republicans to join with them and, perhaps, give others the backbone to do what's right--for once?
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
Umm... The Coast Guard said Russian spy ships transit the US coast a couple of times a year. I'll quote the Coast Guard official in an article published by the NYT “It may not be a daily occurrence, but it is not unusual,”
Americans have every right to be alarmed but you risk alienating the public by becoming overly alarmist. Choose your battles carefully and hammer the big points home. You cry wolf too often and people stop listening.
Americans have every right to be alarmed but you risk alienating the public by becoming overly alarmist. Choose your battles carefully and hammer the big points home. You cry wolf too often and people stop listening.
While the greatest leader of the free world in human history spends his precious time watching TV networks and reading major newspapers in his bath robe, his WH is quickly going down the drain... A couple of apt metaphors come to mind: "Nero fiddled while Rome burned", "Handing a necklace of precious gems to a drunken monkey"... It's all so exceedingly amusing and embarassing, if it weren't real and didn't affect the lives of millions of people. I hope the judiciary and Congress wake up to their duty to the nation and the world, and provide a safe path for our democracy.
DT: Yes, you lost the popular vote to Hillary bigly, fair and square, but Dude, you are the President now, by hook or by crook, and make the best of it for you, the country and the history books, jeez...
DT: Yes, you lost the popular vote to Hillary bigly, fair and square, but Dude, you are the President now, by hook or by crook, and make the best of it for you, the country and the history books, jeez...
Well, Jill Stein of the so called Green Party told us that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton were the SAME! Was Ms. Stein a self serving demagogue?!
Can the earth survive the dopey, deranged "Green Party"?
Probably not.
Can the earth survive the dopey, deranged "Green Party"?
Probably not.
1
Timothy, is there any chance I can just slip back into that coma?
I have a scoop! I've just seen a top secret leaked version of this report card you speak of. Here it is:
Electoral Math: F
Diplomacy: F
Veracity: F
History: D-
Self-aggrandizement: A+
"Issues: Donald loves to pick fights and doesn't play well with others. He also needs to tweet less and listen more."
Electoral Math: F
Diplomacy: F
Veracity: F
History: D-
Self-aggrandizement: A+
"Issues: Donald loves to pick fights and doesn't play well with others. He also needs to tweet less and listen more."
2
All this, and we're merely four weeks into Trumpworld. Imagine 52 times as much.
To the question: "Are we having fun yet?" the most obvious answer is "We've only just begun ..."
We ain't seen nothing yet.
To the question: "Are we having fun yet?" the most obvious answer is "We've only just begun ..."
We ain't seen nothing yet.
If we only had a parliamentary system! Trump would already have a vote of NO CONFIDENCE, even from robotic supporters.
1
i'm trying to recall....exactly who elected him? brits, french, aussies, canadians, brazilians?
1
"You just came out of a yearlong coma, and you’re trying to catch up. The unimaginable is real.
...
Told a stunning and easily disproved lie on his first full day in power. He then sent his spokesman out to repeat that lie, and said the press would “pay a big price” for refusing to do the same. The pattern of taxpayer-financed mendacity continued nearly every day under the new regime, with lies about everything from the murder rate to the weather."
What, Obama "inherited" a third term?
...
Told a stunning and easily disproved lie on his first full day in power. He then sent his spokesman out to repeat that lie, and said the press would “pay a big price” for refusing to do the same. The pattern of taxpayer-financed mendacity continued nearly every day under the new regime, with lies about everything from the murder rate to the weather."
What, Obama "inherited" a third term?
Wanting to be remembered as a war president, our Commander-in-Chief is managing war strategy and strategic strikes and guided twitter bombs against Arnold Swartzniger, FBI, CIA, China, Australia, Federal Judges, United Steelworkers 1999, Chuck Jones labor leader, Courts, Nordstrom, Senator McCain, Melissa McCarthy, Alec Baldwin, refugees, Muslims, Mexico, mainstream media, crowd numbers, real news, John Lewis, Department of Education, the electorate, NATO, UN, Washington Post, the constitution, New York Times, department of labor, health insurance, fraudulent voters, Elizabeth Warren, climate change, EPA, Department of Energy, Congressman John Lewis, Intelligence agencies, un-American, Hillary Lovin, back stabbers, grace, character, and the truth.
Thank god someone is defending America.
Thank god someone is defending America.
1
As Dragnet's Joe Friday used to say: "Just the facts Ma'am just the facts." Thanks Egan!
1
How about if we give a writing grade to arch liberal Tim Egan ? "F" would be my recommendation. Long live King Trump, the only one willing to tell it like it is!
1
Watching the news from Brazil yesterday, I marveled at how this nation has, seemingly overnight, gone from being the poster child for economic growth to post-olympics impoverishment, with soldiers in the streets and civil servants going unpaid, or being paid in installments. Wealth has evaporated, seemingly as the result of politically-enabled corruption. In watching the republican enabling of the Trump regime in order to enact their goals of tax elimination, privatization, and theocratic legislation, I am similarly troubled. The constant glitz of controversy is hiding the designs of a kind of corruption that may be off the charts. In a country where a simple lower middle-class life style might look like luxury to most of the developing world, we may not be able to conceive of the kind of devastation wrought by corruption on this scale, but watching the smug stonewalling going on by congress, I would have to award Donald Trump an A++ for misdirection.
We Americans are duty bound to demand of our senators, and representatives, the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the president, his closest advisors, and FBI Director Comey. Further, we must have access to Trump's tax returns. What began as curiosity has morphed into Watergate on steroids. If this administration and the GOP want credibility, then they too must call for this, otherwise, they must step down. There is no middle ground here.
1
Why does everybody seem to assume that his tax returns would be truthful or accurate or complete?
....and there are no statesmen like Senator Sam Ervin and Pete Rodino to oversee the investigation, either. We're infinitely worse off than we were during the Watergate era.
I don't but at least it would be a starting point. Some information is better than none at all. I'm sure a good forensic accountant would be able to make some sense out of it for the NYT, WP, CNN, and most importantly...Congress.
What is remarkable is that the President can lead and even make sense if he would just shut up and let the country calm down. In the end he may well leave office when the value of his properties and various investments start to go from black to deep red. President Trump is unlikely to blow up the world but he might walk away from a job that eventually will become (for him) a material loss and a unbearable mental and emotional strain.
Two reports cards have been issued with uncharacteristic results. One is experiencing a collapse and the other reported as imploding is coalescing comfortably.
The collapse targeted is not the one currently in freefall. The meltdown is the establishment, the perceived norm, the trusted powerbrokers. The grade received after one month: D and falling.
The media-political marriage, so content with itself for decades believed its pronouncements and was self-satisfied as the foundation. Within four weeks its moorings are suspect and its power is ephemeral. Constantly chasing every lead, unable to discern fact from fabrication, the polemics have increased and the gyre is spinning. Soon a cannibal-like feeding frenzy commences as a disconnect from real power is untenable.
Trade and industry, the true rulers, have usurped the imaginary throne of the politicians and media elite, who are now exposed naked on parade wondering where their robes have gone.
Grade for trade and industry: B and rising.
The collapse targeted is not the one currently in freefall. The meltdown is the establishment, the perceived norm, the trusted powerbrokers. The grade received after one month: D and falling.
The media-political marriage, so content with itself for decades believed its pronouncements and was self-satisfied as the foundation. Within four weeks its moorings are suspect and its power is ephemeral. Constantly chasing every lead, unable to discern fact from fabrication, the polemics have increased and the gyre is spinning. Soon a cannibal-like feeding frenzy commences as a disconnect from real power is untenable.
Trade and industry, the true rulers, have usurped the imaginary throne of the politicians and media elite, who are now exposed naked on parade wondering where their robes have gone.
Grade for trade and industry: B and rising.
1
Decent enough recap from Mr. Egan, but we saw the movie.
At this point we can take solace at the surprising push back to this president from many quarters.
Trump may be president, but he's not going to have an easy time at it. Its just matter of can the damage be contained.
I don't know, but I do know Timothy Egan will be on the job, whatever that is.
At this point we can take solace at the surprising push back to this president from many quarters.
Trump may be president, but he's not going to have an easy time at it. Its just matter of can the damage be contained.
I don't know, but I do know Timothy Egan will be on the job, whatever that is.
4
Sometimes all it takes is one honest man or woman to stand up for, yes, truth and justice. Sometimes one person speaking out calmly and reasonably can shame others into action. Is there one honest man or woman in the House of Senate who will stand up and say, "We must, if nothing else, clear up the doubt about the election"?
Overall though, we are trapped in a two party system that has managed to manufacture disaster of a high order. We need a third party with people winning seats in Congress to put things back on track and try to keep them there. We have, as of now, two parties in a cage fight to the death, constantly collecting campaign contributions from lobbyists and ignoring actual human needs.
Every time Obama opened his mouth, he was savaged by the far right in America. Once, it wouldn't have mattered much because there was some sort of steady line consensus that pushed the nation back toward a middle ground. Now, the crazies who see conspiracy around every corner have not just gained a voice, they are in charge. Trump himself helped to undermine Obama with lies about his place of birth. Gingrich stuck a knife in Obama's back with the "Kenyan, anti-colonial mindset" label (What's wrong with anti-colonial, by the way? No one ever explained.)
It is not just that we have a moronic president whining, whining, whining. The people are powerless, spectators awaiting their own demise. We have a king for four years and the Republicans are doubling down, not standing up.
Overall though, we are trapped in a two party system that has managed to manufacture disaster of a high order. We need a third party with people winning seats in Congress to put things back on track and try to keep them there. We have, as of now, two parties in a cage fight to the death, constantly collecting campaign contributions from lobbyists and ignoring actual human needs.
Every time Obama opened his mouth, he was savaged by the far right in America. Once, it wouldn't have mattered much because there was some sort of steady line consensus that pushed the nation back toward a middle ground. Now, the crazies who see conspiracy around every corner have not just gained a voice, they are in charge. Trump himself helped to undermine Obama with lies about his place of birth. Gingrich stuck a knife in Obama's back with the "Kenyan, anti-colonial mindset" label (What's wrong with anti-colonial, by the way? No one ever explained.)
It is not just that we have a moronic president whining, whining, whining. The people are powerless, spectators awaiting their own demise. We have a king for four years and the Republicans are doubling down, not standing up.
18
Trump should call Hillary and ask for help.
2
And yet, according to the comments on Yahoo and other sites on the Web, his supporters think he is doing an 'awesome job' and have "done more for America in 3 weeks that Obama did in 8 years". How does a reasonable person deal with such delusions?
18
Well, one thing he has accomplished is improving the bottom line of his Florida resorts which were hemorrhaging money until he moved the governments base of operations down there.
We are fast turning into a Banana Republic, but without the bananas.
I am sure Sacha Baron Cohen is working on the script of his next film by just recording some news clips.
I am sure Sacha Baron Cohen is working on the script of his next film by just recording some news clips.
1
You left out the fact that 400,000 protestors marched on his home, in his hometown.
That's YUGE.
Big League.
That's YUGE.
Big League.
2
You reliably left out his constructive and pleasant visits with Theresa May, Shinzo Abe and Justin Trudeau, concentrating instead on Mexico with which a bad relationship was always in the cards.
You cannot judge Trump accurately if you look at him with one eye closed.
You cannot judge Trump accurately if you look at him with one eye closed.
1
So much for Bobby Jindal telling republicans they had to stop being the stupid party.
10
This fine tuned machine is out of oil. How much longer can it run before seizing up? Trump is the Mad Hatter, Bannon the Cheshire Cat, Miller the March Hare.
2
If it's an IEP report card, it would merit a "C" -- and a cute little happy face that says, "Great try, Donnie!"
And covered with lots of shiny brass stickers.
And covered with lots of shiny brass stickers.
Donald I know you have been Used, and Abused, without clues.
But after Thirty Days you have blown a fuse.
They even had it on the news. So put on your Chicken-Man suit
step up on the stand and show the people the cold facts and
try not to Xerox. The CIA will straightened it out fast and in a
hurry, Don't worry, cause your vision is blurry, do you know
what I'm saying?
But after Thirty Days you have blown a fuse.
They even had it on the news. So put on your Chicken-Man suit
step up on the stand and show the people the cold facts and
try not to Xerox. The CIA will straightened it out fast and in a
hurry, Don't worry, cause your vision is blurry, do you know
what I'm saying?
1
Today, Tillerson probably regrets getting the job and Mitt Romney realizes how lucky he was that he is not Secy of State. However, maybe someone could talk Romney into taking the Chief of Staff job. He's probably be good at that.
2
Not a chance he would take it.
You might not like Romney's politics, but he is a decent human being. I suspect he's not ABOUT to work for this now-proven, childish, misfit of a fool.
You might not like Romney's politics, but he is a decent human being. I suspect he's not ABOUT to work for this now-proven, childish, misfit of a fool.
Imagine that. California might be so awash with a surfeit of water that for the first time in decades the interests of human farmers AGAIN might outweigh the interests of Smelt. Maybe. For five minutes.
I want to thank Tim for his balanced “report card” of one month of Trump presidential activity. We get so much reflexive demonization of Trump in the MSM generally that it’s good occasionally to read something positive.
So … what’s Hillary been up to?
I want to thank Tim for his balanced “report card” of one month of Trump presidential activity. We get so much reflexive demonization of Trump in the MSM generally that it’s good occasionally to read something positive.
So … what’s Hillary been up to?
1
She's been getting standing ovations while the bumbling Manchurian candidate makes a fool of himself.
3
the drought in California is far from over due to a few big storms. Drought appears to be the normal climate for California. http://www.kcra.com/article/50-percent-of-california-still-in-a-drought/...
d ascher:
Then perhaps it's time for Californians to ask Oregon to take over the Smelt problem and focus instead on its farmers. Barbara Streisand can sell her Malibu home and move up north with the rest of the problem.
Then perhaps it's time for Californians to ask Oregon to take over the Smelt problem and focus instead on its farmers. Barbara Streisand can sell her Malibu home and move up north with the rest of the problem.
America has been on a binge since 1980. It seems a huge gastric purge may be what is most needed at this time. I am almost ready to call this a huge victory for democracy. Maybe the USA can emerge with two sane political parties one center right and one center left. Two right wing parties one moderate right wing and one far right have certainly not contributed to a successful entry into the 21st century.
2
The day after the election I flew into the capital to visit my son and tuture daughter-in-law. It was a mix of joy and fear that I felt upon landing. Joy as I ambraced my family, fear of what was to come for this city and nation. As the last 30 days have proven those fears have materilaized. As I walked through the city and looked at the grand monuments and marble buildings, I would stop and pause. I begged Abraham Lincoln to come back to life. I shuddered when I looked upon the White House, I walked through the presidential portrait galllery stunned to think the portrait of this current president would one day hang in this same room; a rollercoaster of emotion awaited around every corner. But one thing gave me hope. My children, who both work to keep the lights on in the city and the bills paid. We tend to forget the "worker bees" who keep the lights on, shine the marble, keep our water clean, research our laws, file the reports. They are truely our government. The people at the top get the most attention, the people who keep it running need it the most right now. How about we all "adopt" a civil servant? Tell them not to run for the hills, but stay and fight along side them.
9
Great list, Mr. Egan. You did forget a few things, though, including that Trump: (1) refused to extricate himself from his businesses, thereby setting up conflicts of interest on a galactic scale; (2) pointedly failed to mention Jews on Holocaust Remembrance Day; (3) verbally attacked the U.N.; (4) nominated to his Cabinet people who have vowed to dismantle the agencies they are or (if confirmed) would be heading, who have zero government experience, and/or know nothing about the policies of those agencies; (5) has openly and viciously attacked the free press; and (6) hired a sself-proclaimed White Nationalist as his closest political advisor.
Being in a coma might be better than watching this national train wreck.
Being in a coma might be better than watching this national train wreck.
492
Only if we watch and work to avert it can we be ready to clean up the mess when it happens. If not, Putin will move into the White House and he will bring the N. Korean leader with him.
And made himself a liar yet again by reneging on his pledge to show his tax returns.
You left out his tax returns.
“I don’t think there’s ever been a president elected who in this short period of time has done what we’ve done.”
trump lives in his own reality, where he always wins big league, where everything he touches turns to gold, where he does no wrong, where whatever he believes is the truth, where everyone loves and admires him, and, if you don't love him, there's something wrong with you, not him. It's the fantasy world of a child's mind.
trump lives in his own reality, where he always wins big league, where everything he touches turns to gold, where he does no wrong, where whatever he believes is the truth, where everyone loves and admires him, and, if you don't love him, there's something wrong with you, not him. It's the fantasy world of a child's mind.
8
I would really appreciate if you could do monthly report cards on the president. So much happens and it is hard to keep track. This was wonderful. Thank you.
3
... and those are the things we know about. The unseen and unknown Trumpian decisions are just as scary. I, for one, am truly ashamed of the ignorance of some American voters.
6
We know what's wrong with him, and I have confidence the nation will slowly figure out how to banish him and his ridiculous grifter family forever. Now tell us how to rid ourselves of his supporters, who are still too stupid to figure out that he is dangerous, graceless and corrupt.
12
If you guys are so smart, why are you such losers? How does a majority of geniuses give the national treasure to a minority of retards? What good is your superior education and critical thinking skills if a bunch of clueless deplorables sent you whining for safe spaces? If you want a close up view of stupid, buy a mirror.
To the Editor: please publish a simple graphic comparing DJT's first 28 days to that of President Obama to rebut the so-called President's claim to being the most productive president and inheriting a mess.
2
"Magic mirror, on the wall - who is the fairest one of all,” said the Mad King. (apologies to Snow White' Evil Queen.)
4
... And don't forget "The Emperor's New Clothes"!
This is the alt reality.
1
The responsibility of the media is so very high right now and unfortunately the dissemination of “alternative facts” by various types of media outlets is rampant. This fuels the distrust that many in our country are feeling. Though this is an Opinion piece, and I am a big fan of Mr. Egan’s writing, I think extreme care must be taken in even the statements of personal opinion and observation. So many in our country are turning to truly false news sources so they can hear things that validate their own personal beliefs and then demonize actual journalism. The President is encouraging this, thus blurring the line between Opinion and News for many, creating confusion and division.
4
While it certainly isn't pretty, Trump has delivered on his promise to drain the swamp. The days of cowering in the corner and letting the world have it's way with us are over. While the NYT certainly doesn't report on it, the voters who put him in office are very pleased with the direction he is taken our country. The demonstrators, commentators and liberal rags can kick up as much dust as they want but it's not going to change the fact that the Republican party has a firm grasp on power and is going to use it. Sure they'll bump their head along the way but that's normal. The big problem for the Democrats is that they've got no party and no power; perhaps they can apply for a minority status.
2
I guess I missed the part where the swamp was drained.
157
Actually the Republicans and Trump are just changing out the plumbing and turning it into a cesspool
13
Oh, Kurt, you and yours want so desperetly to believe that this guy is the answer to all your problems (real and imaginary). But he is not. He is taking you over a cliff. But you are right that "they are going to use it (power)" I think most of those in power now know they won't be there in 2018 and so they will try to make this time good for themselves and their corporate masters. Kurt, I really hope that you have a lot of money put aside because you are going to need it. Bad times are a'coming.
7
Thank you to the editorial board. I don’t agree with the statements (in the comments) that Trump won the election…, I believe the voters lost the election, there is a difference. Caveat SUFFRAGATOR- Voter BEWARE. I'm not sure if that is the term in Latin, but like caveat emptor, there should be responsibility on the voters and/or lack there of. This may be the first election to show the shock of just what doesn’t qualify for a president and to whom our vote would benefit- and just what we were voting for; a country-not a single voters needs. This is not Duck Dynasty we were suppose to vote for a leader of a Nation not the fleeting needs of a spoiled electorate. I felt that if there had been an election the day after Trump was elected it would have been different. The one thing I think the 45th president will do is help us understand who we are as Americans, who we want to be and hopefully how we vote. We pick food in the super market with more research than our political representatives. This post speaks about all the things that are going wrong with the purchased vehicle but did we do more than kick the tires before we bought it?
8
On our currency there is the motto "In God We Trust". The reality is that the emergence of Donald Trump proves that God doesn't care one twit about the stupidity of the human race. Placing trust in God is like playing on the double yellow line.
8
A modern day version of Caligula and Nero combined. Call him Nerigula or maybe even Trumpero. But the Republicans on Capital Hill, who rule the roost, are happier than pigs in slop. His deplorable supporters--thank you, Hillary, for telling it like it is--are delighted that they have placed this gold-plated bull in the White House wreaking havoc. He's just what the doctor ordered to entertain and give meaning to lives lived, as Thoreau once said, in quiet desperation. Whither America? The Civil War has really never ended. The South has risen again with a vengeance, literally, and the Confederacy, in blazing red, is now in charge.
9
Thank you Hillary for running such a weak campaign and allowing Trump to win.
"The vice president lied to the public about this because he was not informed of it."
Let's cut Pence some slack here. "Lying" means intentionally saying things that you know are not true. But if he didn't know that Flynn had spoken about sanctions with the Russian ambassador, then he can't lie about it, because he didn't know about it. There is no intent because Pence had no knowledge about Flynn. Flynn, however, lied to Pence about it. He certainly knew what he did, and he intentionally mislead Pence about it.
But this brings up a different point which is even more scary, which is that Pence was kept out of the loop for two weeks about Flynn. That shows an incredible lack of trust on Trump's part, that he would keep even his own VP in the dark about such a potentially damaging situation. What ELSE has Trump not told Pence? Can anyone imagine Obama not telling Biden about something like this?
This administration is corrupt and dysfunctional to the very highest levels, including the already marginalized Pence.
Let's cut Pence some slack here. "Lying" means intentionally saying things that you know are not true. But if he didn't know that Flynn had spoken about sanctions with the Russian ambassador, then he can't lie about it, because he didn't know about it. There is no intent because Pence had no knowledge about Flynn. Flynn, however, lied to Pence about it. He certainly knew what he did, and he intentionally mislead Pence about it.
But this brings up a different point which is even more scary, which is that Pence was kept out of the loop for two weeks about Flynn. That shows an incredible lack of trust on Trump's part, that he would keep even his own VP in the dark about such a potentially damaging situation. What ELSE has Trump not told Pence? Can anyone imagine Obama not telling Biden about something like this?
This administration is corrupt and dysfunctional to the very highest levels, including the already marginalized Pence.
6
Thanks again to the 77,000 Trump voters and 600,000 third party nihilists in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pa. who awarded Trump his electoral votes.
You built this!
A special call out to the non-voters who cared so little for themselves and loved ones. Proud of your indifference?
And to Hillary who for some mysterious reason spent too much time in the south campaigning when she should have been protecting her firewall in the north.
What were you thinking?
You built this!
A special call out to the non-voters who cared so little for themselves and loved ones. Proud of your indifference?
And to Hillary who for some mysterious reason spent too much time in the south campaigning when she should have been protecting her firewall in the north.
What were you thinking?
5
The power of a mere list.
Cleaning the swamp will take much longer than anyone could imagine.
Thou dost protest too much.
And therein make Trump's case about the press.
And therein make Trump's case about the press.
13
His case is that the free press reports the antics of his administration. That's not much of a case.
1
Alternative grammar. Fake address.
1
That's Shakespeare....write your own comment.
1
More sound and fury from the paper of debunkable narratives. This signifies nothing without the proper context and facts.
1
And that's your responsibility. You don't get proper context and facts from sound bites. Do some research if something strikes you as false. Read the entire article from legitimate sources like the NYT.
We have succeeded in "electing" the American Embodiment of Greed into the Oval Office, which, apparently, has No Corners for hiding Secrets. He is, as yet, still "Unvetted" and Undiagnosed, despite being, apparently by
Someone's prior "Decision" that "President" Trump is Above the scrutiny of
The People's Republic. He is, as well, a Normalized Abnormality, sitting in a Golden Throne, designed in his own mythical Mind. Meanwhile, the
Unnamed One is still the Quotable One, allowed to dominate our airwaves,
while rambling in word salads, vacuous in substance. After 50 years as a licensed psychotherapist, I could manage a valid psychological Diagnosis.
Please, People in Power, please help Him in his Loneliness. And Help Us
in our Dire Need.....for Leadership! At least we have Larry Eisenberg back,
but we Reason....as well as Rhyme. Thanks, for some Press for still
Pressing.
Someone's prior "Decision" that "President" Trump is Above the scrutiny of
The People's Republic. He is, as well, a Normalized Abnormality, sitting in a Golden Throne, designed in his own mythical Mind. Meanwhile, the
Unnamed One is still the Quotable One, allowed to dominate our airwaves,
while rambling in word salads, vacuous in substance. After 50 years as a licensed psychotherapist, I could manage a valid psychological Diagnosis.
Please, People in Power, please help Him in his Loneliness. And Help Us
in our Dire Need.....for Leadership! At least we have Larry Eisenberg back,
but we Reason....as well as Rhyme. Thanks, for some Press for still
Pressing.
5
I'm glad to see the use of the words "lied", "lying" etc instead of "falsehoods" "misspoke" "no intention to lie". Thanks for being bold.
14
Thank you, Mr. Egan. I was trying to track all the appalling decisions and actions coming from this administration but gave up two weeks ago because I couldn't keep up.
12
Comprehensive round up of why Trump must be impeached sooner than later.
13
January 20 to February 17 is not One-Month. If the headline is incorrect, can anything in the opinion article be taken seriously?
It's four weeks, isn't it?
Getting pretty desperate, aren't you?
Oh please!
Jan 20 - Jan 31 = 12 days
Feb 1 - Feb 17 = 18 days
12 + 18 = 30 days, generally considered one month.
Facts are facts, except in Trumpworld.
Jan 20 - Jan 31 = 12 days
Feb 1 - Feb 17 = 18 days
12 + 18 = 30 days, generally considered one month.
Facts are facts, except in Trumpworld.
2
I had to sympathize with the members of the press at that press conference yesterday, who had to sit still while the President stood before them and insulted their intelligences. What other than an insult can you call it when the President says to reporters, in so many words, that if you don't agree with him, compliment him, even cosset him then you are a liar and an incompetent? A spreader of "false news." I mean, these reporters are some of the most knowledgable and sophisticated political minds in our country, and he looks them in the eye and says they are not doing their job because they are biased, hateful, and corrupt--the very attributes they try their best to avoid. Meanwhile, ironically, HE'S the one who's trying to mislead THEM and bias them. Honestly, I don't know why their agencies even send their best people to such an embarrassing spectacle. They ought to send interns--for a learning experience.
21
We don't need a little boy to shout, "The Emperor has no clothes!" Whenever he opens his mouth, the Emperor makes his nakedness perfectly clear.
17
I'm trying to promote an old short story by James Thurber. It seems custom made for these times. Give it a try: “The Greatest Man in the World.”
9
And don't forget Melania suing a british tabloid that could damage the "opportunity of a lifetime" to cash in.
21
Trump is a lost cause and will go down as one of the very worst leaders of any free country. But my bigger concern is my fellow citizens who are accepting of his behavior and refuse to require him to live up to even a first grade level of decency or operate his administration at any level of competence. It is no solace to claim that Hillary or Obama were not the answer or had issues. The problem is THIS current president and HIS tremendous lack of humaness. It is no excuse to claim his actions are needed to disrupt "business as usual." Not only has he gilded his cabinet with billionaires who have little insight into the plight of the middle and working class, he demonstrates no ability to be a leader of any venture that includes more than him.
32
Can we make a comparison between the 'mental' predator in chief and the Oroville dam?
I don't think he can be 'fixed' without removal and the dam remains an unknown.
I don't think he can be 'fixed' without removal and the dam remains an unknown.
5
The Guardian made a good point. We thought we were going to be watching Celebrity Apprentice. Instead we found ourselves watching The Office.
168
kudos. exactly,
if not worse.
if not worse.
You mean Game of Thrones. Just waiting for the heads on pikes.
1
At least "The Office" was a tv show.
And yet he still has supporters! The alt right white supremacists still cheer him on with those silly hats while he will be making paupers without health care or a living wage out of all of them before he's done. Or will he hire them to patrol the wall he'll need to hire them to build? Heaven help us. It's hard to believe it's happening, that he, Donald grabbing Trump, is happening.
1
Meanwhile our congress is doing what? Taking the principled stance that 'republicans do not investigate republicans'.
3
The Republicans trumped up the recipe for their just deserts, swallowing Trump's swill whole. Their gag reflex seems to be on the blink, but soon, very soon, they will be writhing in agony, wallowing in their own lying filth as they are voted out of office.
2
If I wasnt so old, I would like to go to sleep for 47 months and wake up to a normal world again. But it wouldnt be December's world because he will destroy everything he touches as long as he is allowed to remain as our president. But he will do it the best!
2
Will future history show we fought back, as Ukraine did, in throwing our Putin stooge out of the White House? Or will it show that cowardly Congressional Republicans slowed the investigations of Trump so long that he had wounded America mortally?
We are at war, though a lot of Trump's supporters just don't care that Putin has his stooge running things. They like the simple thought that disruption is good, that Presidential actions are pretty inconsequential and so Trump is really doing a good thing. Heck, they actually watch him adding alligators and think he is draining the swamp.
They are worse than Trump. He most likely is a traitorous ignorant man, but they, they are watching the pilot of our plane do crazy things, and they seem to think the crash won't affect them.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
We are at war, though a lot of Trump's supporters just don't care that Putin has his stooge running things. They like the simple thought that disruption is good, that Presidential actions are pretty inconsequential and so Trump is really doing a good thing. Heck, they actually watch him adding alligators and think he is draining the swamp.
They are worse than Trump. He most likely is a traitorous ignorant man, but they, they are watching the pilot of our plane do crazy things, and they seem to think the crash won't affect them.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
5
Thank you for this compact and efficient list of Donald Trump's surreal behaviors, lies, and merciless, careless executive "achievements," all packed into four weeks.
I will print out the article, take it along in my pocket on my daily walks, and resolve to review it when I'm close to home. This may keep me from falling into the road, again, in despair, hitting my head on the curb, and yelling into the trees "Who voted for this (*****)?" in the first half-mile of the walk. Neighbors will be grateful. My heart may get stronger.
Would you please do the same for Bannon and Stephen Miller? I could read that list on alternate days. Like weight training. Thanks.
I will print out the article, take it along in my pocket on my daily walks, and resolve to review it when I'm close to home. This may keep me from falling into the road, again, in despair, hitting my head on the curb, and yelling into the trees "Who voted for this (*****)?" in the first half-mile of the walk. Neighbors will be grateful. My heart may get stronger.
Would you please do the same for Bannon and Stephen Miller? I could read that list on alternate days. Like weight training. Thanks.
3
Guilty as charged, on all counts. And, for the record, yesterday's press conference - if one can call it that - was an atrocity. I won't indulge in the timely discussion of whether or not Trump is mentally ill. I'm not a professional in that area, but as a Nobel Prize winner once said, "you don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows".
All that said, Tim, et. al, it's time to move on. I get it, you wake up every day and wonder what insanity has transpired over night. One's head spins all day and it starts again the next. Okay, let's take a deep breath and deal with it. We can't afford to die of shame.
We've heard a lot of talk about decent Republicans stepping up. Sure, that would be great, but we can't wait for them. We need decent Democrats, like Pelosi, Hoyer and Schumer to step down and get out of the way. This is a gun fight and, alas, they are butter knives.
All that said, Tim, et. al, it's time to move on. I get it, you wake up every day and wonder what insanity has transpired over night. One's head spins all day and it starts again the next. Okay, let's take a deep breath and deal with it. We can't afford to die of shame.
We've heard a lot of talk about decent Republicans stepping up. Sure, that would be great, but we can't wait for them. We need decent Democrats, like Pelosi, Hoyer and Schumer to step down and get out of the way. This is a gun fight and, alas, they are butter knives.
5
If we show up, again and again, in great enough numbers, we can do it. Write to your representatives and senators and demand a bipartisan, independent commission to investigate this Russian disaster and Trump's finances. And send it as an email every single day. Write and call and when you can, show up in person.
3
It's definitely bad from our viewpoint inside the country. I've been speaking to friends overseas and I think it looks even worse from there. Leader of the free world? I'm pretty sure that's Angela Merkel now.
5
One minor point of clarification. Mr. Trump says Mr. Flynn was asked to resign because he lied to the Vice President. Hey, Wait!!! Trump knew what was going on. Why didn't he tell the Vice President. There is catastrophic dysfunction and lack of communication in an administration where the President keeps the Vice President in the dark regarding investigations of the administration.
12
Well done, as always. President Trump is trying to pacify the investigation of his administrations' Russian connection by inviting the break-away Republicans to the White House, what do you thing the outcome of that would be?
2
It's exciting to watch the betting lines form: will Trump go down in history as an incompetent clown, or a Russian dupe, or an aspiring fascist? There could even be a trifecta!
9
Well, the USA was a nice idea. Took a while to get everyone in on it (still working on that), and a lotta rough spots. But some nice moments too.
1
Well, my teacher friends and I have found an upside to this mess--never before have we seen our high school students this engaged with politics! When Trump didn't seem to know who Frederick Douglass was they laughed and looked at one another and said, "Whaaat? Doesn't he know who that is? Doesn't he get that Douglass died long, long ago?" When Trump rants about the press they say, "Doesn't he get that we have a strong first amendment? That freedom of the press is all about being an American?!" When he starts a ban against Muslim immigrants and blathers on about a wall we see our many immigrant students and non-immigrant students band together, supporting each other, across cultures and religions--like Americans! Suddenly they are all paying close attention, reading the NY Times, asking me about the reliability of multiple sources, watching press conferences and noticing why we ask them to use their best academic language as they try to decipher Trump's twisted logic and inarticulate statements.
So. It's a small but significant upside--and it is interesting to note how this dysfunctional, tumultuous administration is energizing 16-18 year olds at a crucial time in their development. As one young man said to me yesterday: "This can't happen again; we can never allow someone so ignorant to be elected President of our country ever again." Hear, hear!
So. It's a small but significant upside--and it is interesting to note how this dysfunctional, tumultuous administration is energizing 16-18 year olds at a crucial time in their development. As one young man said to me yesterday: "This can't happen again; we can never allow someone so ignorant to be elected President of our country ever again." Hear, hear!
65
As I watched yesterday's press conference, I found myself openly laughing at what came out of this POTUS' mouth. I had to stop myself from laughing in order to hear each ensuing "truth."
Pretty soon I suspect, the MSM questioners whom Trump won't call on at press conferences, will begin to openly laugh (as I did), and add some hissing and booing at this President as his antics and lies continue to spew forth.
What is there to be gained by being respectful of this character, a potential future question?
Pretty soon I suspect, the MSM questioners whom Trump won't call on at press conferences, will begin to openly laugh (as I did), and add some hissing and booing at this President as his antics and lies continue to spew forth.
What is there to be gained by being respectful of this character, a potential future question?
4
If nothing else he is providing cover for those in the hallowed halls of Congress to do their dirty work or simply pretend to do something without any real fear of discovery.
While many of them opposed him throughout the election it now appears they have come to the realization he is the perfect excuse for failure to serve their electorate.
He, like any other tinpot dictator is the solution rather than the problem. which is in fact found in the halls of Congress where the big monery is made.
Our government can be run like a business by people who understand just what works and what doesn't. No business stays open long if it manufactures a useless product and doesn't even service it. There is no valid reason why in today's world we are still playingh a game of favorites.
Elective office will eventually go the way of the dinosaurs.
While many of them opposed him throughout the election it now appears they have come to the realization he is the perfect excuse for failure to serve their electorate.
He, like any other tinpot dictator is the solution rather than the problem. which is in fact found in the halls of Congress where the big monery is made.
Our government can be run like a business by people who understand just what works and what doesn't. No business stays open long if it manufactures a useless product and doesn't even service it. There is no valid reason why in today's world we are still playingh a game of favorites.
Elective office will eventually go the way of the dinosaurs.
As the chaos grows and the pressure mounts the GOP congress turns the other way and refuses to face the most obvious fact: This president is unstable and becoming more so every day. He must be removed and the sooner the better!
Don't watch Fox News very often but I'm tempted to start watching more often to see how skillfully they can maneuver a positive spin on President Trumps latest press conference. I would think even the most talented spin doctor having a near impossible task after yesterday's debacle.
2
Utter chaos in government...but still denied by our delusional and unscrupulous president, the liar-in-chief, ignoramus par excellence, whom we are also calling 'the ugly american', given his allergy to the truth, and the facts he tries to belittle by alternate 'facts', and insulting the news media as 'the most dishonest people he has ever met'...except for Fox Noise, which toes his line of absurd innuendos. This is a failed presidency; but this far, the joke is on us, allowing dangerous clowns to misdirect the ship over an abyss of despair.
Mostly right on. But don't exaggerate. Pence did not lie -- in that he did not deliberately deceive. He was lied to and passed on false information unknowingly. He was a dupe.
1
You failed to mention, TE, that the birther-crusader, now commander-in-chief, is enabled by by a Republican-controlled Congress whose priorities were recently articulated by Senator Rand Paul: "I just don't think it's useful to be doing investigation after investigation, particularly of your own party. We'll never even get started with doing the things we need to do, like repealing Obamacare, if we're spending our whole time having Republicans investigate Republicans. I think it makes no sense."
2
When a "finely tuned machine" of government produces these outcomes, I shudder to think of what will happen to all of us when the tuning falters.
3
Great summation, Mr.Egan. Please continue to keep score. How much more will it take for republicans to step away from this trainwreck ? How much more will it take before people march on D.C. and demand he vacate the premises? His 'mandate' is pure fiction. He has deluded himself for decades about his own greatness. He is soiling America every minute he is there.
2
I've been in a coma since Trump took office, and plan on staying there until he leaves office. It's a much better place.
5
What we NYT readers can't comprehend, is that over on Fox this morning, the commentators are declaring the news conference a success, and any criticism the work of "lame" media. And they're proud and thrilled to give President Trump support and cover.
My biggest worry about a successful Trump campaign was that the right wing media conspiracy would have a seat in the white house. And they're telling him to double down, because they profit emotionally and financially from the chaos.
I fear we'll look back and say liberal democracy and federal republics were quaint 18th and 19th century constructs which, though successful for a couple centuries, failed.
My biggest worry about a successful Trump campaign was that the right wing media conspiracy would have a seat in the white house. And they're telling him to double down, because they profit emotionally and financially from the chaos.
I fear we'll look back and say liberal democracy and federal republics were quaint 18th and 19th century constructs which, though successful for a couple centuries, failed.
3
There were a lot of astonishing (and not the good astonishing) things said in that press conference. The one I keep going back to is when he said, "we have the best ratings" Just the fact that he refers to his presidency in television programming terms gives me pause. He thinks this is just another show he is hosting. And this 'reality show' actually has no focus on reality.
5
I just don't think this can go on much longer. Not purely from an ideological viewpoint, but from a common perception that is becoming pervasive, as expressed by comments about the news conference by attending reporters under their breath. "This is insane."
I suspect that Trump's tenure can be measured in months rather than years and it will involve a catalyst of a number of leaks you can count on one hand.
To summarise the growing consensus:
"This is insane" and "This just can't go on much longer."
This country is not the stage for a cheap reality show's tacky protagonist.
I suspect that Trump's tenure can be measured in months rather than years and it will involve a catalyst of a number of leaks you can count on one hand.
To summarise the growing consensus:
"This is insane" and "This just can't go on much longer."
This country is not the stage for a cheap reality show's tacky protagonist.
Be careful what you wish for! - a competent Republican President would have actually gutted ObamaCare, Dodd-Frank by now, actually reduced the taxes on the rich and actually agreed with the Republican fanatics in Congress to do damage- if this idiot wants to run his reality show on Tax payer's White House for two years, the rest of us should just watch the show, laugh our tails off for a bit, and get to work on the 2018 elections.
3
Trump voters watch Fox. Fox's stock in trade is delusion and lies; a philosophy of journalism which perfectly suits our fairly unbalanced president. To unseat his majesty Fox will have to turn on him. Chris Wallace will have to show a semblance of integrity. O'Reilly will have to say that this is too crazy even for him. Hannity's head will have to explode.
What are the chances? Until then the liar in chief will be getting an A+ from the deplorables.
What are the chances? Until then the liar in chief will be getting an A+ from the deplorables.
3
This president's self-referential use of superlatives is incredible. He is the least anti-Semitic and least person you will ever meet. He had the highest number of electoral votes since Reagan and the largest crowd in history for his inauguration because the little bit of rain stopped and the sun came out as soon as he began his address. Any facts challenging these claims are fake news. He fails to mention his single indubitable claim to fame. He achieved a negative approval rating, 40%, in record time. At the end of his first month in office every president beginning with Eisenhower had an average approval rating 61% higher. Obama's was 64%.
7
Sorry for poor proofreading. It should have said least racist person
The so-called president's "real" news conference played like an endlessly drawn-out live open for Saturday Night Live. If only we could have Alec Baldwin as our fake president instead of the hack we got from the Russians.
3
When Trump was a kid, if it became clear that an opponent was beating him at the game of Monopoly, he would flip the board over. If there was a birthday party for someone other than him, he would throw cake at everyone.
His white male supporters who have been downsized as workers and as a privileged class who are no longer deferred to as kings by women and children, who have lost at the game of life, are flipping the board over and mashing cake in everybody's face. "If I'm not ahead, then everybody must lose" is their vengeful motto. Trump is the living, breathing, scowling, threatening and ultimately pathetic manifestation of their defeat.
His white male supporters who have been downsized as workers and as a privileged class who are no longer deferred to as kings by women and children, who have lost at the game of life, are flipping the board over and mashing cake in everybody's face. "If I'm not ahead, then everybody must lose" is their vengeful motto. Trump is the living, breathing, scowling, threatening and ultimately pathetic manifestation of their defeat.
16
The Trump voter luxuriates in this type of thing. Denouncing him for doing what he said he would do on the campaign trail, no matter how recklessly pursued, makes people proud that he is their man in the White House. He was a big, loud, unleashed candidate and now he's a big, loud, unleashed President. For some reason (and I don't share this personally), the Trump supporter can listen to that press conference and make sense out of it. Not just that, the Trump supporter is thrilled by it. Cross the President and he will denounce you. Say something negative and he will brand you a loser. Question his judgement and he will boast of his unparalleled brilliance. No wonder members of the GOP, show should be mightily worried about what is happening, are loathe to confront him in any organized, rational or legal way. But just wait. In short order and probably quite spectacularly, Trump will stumble down the hill and take all of his acolytes with him, ranting and raving the entire way, blaming everyone but himself for the chaos he has created. What I'm curious about is what the GOP will do to denounce him or to distance themselves from him. Will they stand by their man when he's broken and busted and disgraced?
6
I wish the press would stop being so respectful and deferential to this so called president in press briefings. He is rude and disrespectful to them and they should treat him in the same manner. He does not deserve anyone's respect at this point. He has proven that.
12
I'd love to see them just get up and walk out!
2
Well, at least we made it through a month without going to war with someone. I now enter each month with my fingers crossed.
202
The month isn't up yet. We still have from Friday until Monday.
1
How long do you think it'll be?
1
Let's stop being amazed at the continued lies and delusions of the President. As has been pointed out before, he almost certainly suffers from narcissistic personality disorder, which explains why he so often turns every question into an opportunity to denigrate others and inflate his accomplishments. He lacks the ability to respond without showing his pathetic, indeed pathological, insecurity. He is also clearly delusional, citing incorrect or made up information on a daily basis.
The solution to this is not picking on each day's startling pronouncements, but in actively pursuing removal from office based on disability. In his case, a mental disability which is certainly worse than most physical ones. He will never voluntarily agree to a mental evaluation, and the country is deeply endangered by this situation. I hope medical and psychiatric workers press harder to have him removed---the danger is obvious.
I am an Internist with 40 years experience, and this is the most frightening President I have every seen, and the most mentally unstable in my lifetime.
The solution to this is not picking on each day's startling pronouncements, but in actively pursuing removal from office based on disability. In his case, a mental disability which is certainly worse than most physical ones. He will never voluntarily agree to a mental evaluation, and the country is deeply endangered by this situation. I hope medical and psychiatric workers press harder to have him removed---the danger is obvious.
I am an Internist with 40 years experience, and this is the most frightening President I have every seen, and the most mentally unstable in my lifetime.
5
Tim Egan once again tells it like it is. As I watched Trump's press conference , I felt like I did when I watched the Monty Python skit about the dead parrot. Trump, like the proprietor of the pet store trying to convince the customer that the parrot was not dead, just resting , desperately trying to persuade the American public that his administration was performing like a finely tuned machine. The similarity between the skit and Trump's performance is both sad and frightening.
Trump wants to control the truth., and to do so he needs a scapegoat- the media. And, for over an hour ,he did his shtick, attacking the press and Secretary Clinton,as if the 2016 election was still undecided. Other than his devoted base, the rest of America can not feel comfortable about the ranting and raving of the Apprentice in the White House.
Trump wants to control the truth., and to do so he needs a scapegoat- the media. And, for over an hour ,he did his shtick, attacking the press and Secretary Clinton,as if the 2016 election was still undecided. Other than his devoted base, the rest of America can not feel comfortable about the ranting and raving of the Apprentice in the White House.
33
The press should be more assertive at these stupid news conferences and briefings.
They need to press and probe and question real hard to expose the inanity and irrationality.
Forget about your own special interests like the CBC and antisemitism.
Ask why he keeps bringing up the election results and Clinton. Ask why it was all right for Flynn to deal with the Russians when he did.
They need to press and probe and question real hard to expose the inanity and irrationality.
Forget about your own special interests like the CBC and antisemitism.
Ask why he keeps bringing up the election results and Clinton. Ask why it was all right for Flynn to deal with the Russians when he did.
10
Bigsister--You have good points, but I think the press is just getting into its stride, and the really big laughs are yet to come. It takes a while to get used to an entirely new set of "rules." Can't wait for the coming explosion, splattering poo everywhere!
1
Forgetting about antisemitism--not a good idea.
2
A fundamental, basic political skill is "getting out ahead" of an issue which detracts from a candidate or officeholder. Take the lead. Start the investigation yourself. Release information voluntarily (taxes, phone records, etc.). Even those running for student council know this. The entire West Wing, from Trump on down, does not. Or cannot.
3
We live in a country where roughly 96% of the country votes for 1 of 2 parties and where, depending on the outcome, 1/2 of those people are elated telling the rest of us to give the president a change, while the other 1/2 is devastated and questions the president's every move. For the third presidency in a row, we appear to be victims of administrations which will rely on executive orders to ram through policy because they can't/won't work through congress as our founders intended. Perhaps this ~96% should take a step back and ask whether the office of the President has too much power if depending on how a couple of percent of the country votes, 1/2 the country is euphoric and half is devastated for the next 4 years?
2
I assume you include Obama's executive orders in your criticism, which exposes your blind partisanship.
If the GOP had wanted to work with Obama at all, then he wouldn't have needed to issue any executive orders.
If the GOP had wanted to work with Obama at all, then he wouldn't have needed to issue any executive orders.
1
Perhaps this~ an abandonment of the 2-party system wherein each corporate party cares solely for the acquisition and maintenance of power, with no concern for statecraft beyond self-righteous posturing. They've left us with but one choice: Which donor class do you least dislike?
1
That's a two-way street, my friend. I'm in the 4%, so no partisanship here :).
1
It would be interesting to hear him articulate (!) the differences he sees between running the country and running one of his resort casinos -- maybe he can articulate no difference ! -- as we know from banking records how badly and often he's failed those schemes, usually leaving everything he touched in chaos.
There's no surprise here in Mr. Tumps's behavior--the surprise is how many voters have been and are still taken in. It looks like governing norms of the old Confederacy that I grew up with have sadly gone national.
There's no surprise here in Mr. Tumps's behavior--the surprise is how many voters have been and are still taken in. It looks like governing norms of the old Confederacy that I grew up with have sadly gone national.
8
It's hard to imagine so much gratuitous damage self inflicted, but much worse eroding the foundations of the nation, in one month. If the President is truly ba disordered narcissist, then all that matters to him is the attention drawn to himself. The easiest way to attract attention is wanton destruction. Any two-year-old knows this and so, apparently does the President.
The traits that generate such dysfunction will remain constant. What should concern us is that so much damage has been achieved in four short weeks. The havoc can only continue for another four years, building upon its seminal foundation of limestone, culminating in a grotesque collapse that one must hope will claim a minimum of victims.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
The traits that generate such dysfunction will remain constant. What should concern us is that so much damage has been achieved in four short weeks. The havoc can only continue for another four years, building upon its seminal foundation of limestone, culminating in a grotesque collapse that one must hope will claim a minimum of victims.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
9
The problem with giving a one-month report card to President Trump is not, as Trump and the Republicans would complain, the fact that the report is too early and does not give him a chance.
In fact, there have been enough missteps and outrageous words from Trump in his first 30 days to demonstrate an ongoing march towards disaster.
The problem is in separating what President Trump has said and done into the five categories of behavior at play.
First, there are the remarks about Inauguration crowd size and similar rants which show the fragile ego and need for love.
Second, there are the insults leveled at John Lewis and others which demonstrate a juvenile insecurity.
Third, there are the remarks about Frederick Douglass and Taiwan which show ignorance.
Fourth, there are the repeated false claims of massive voter fraud, which is something the establishment Republicans demand to provide the fig leaf of justification for state laws suppressing the vote of blacks and Hispanics. In this same category is the anti-Muslim travel ban, near and dear to Republicans, in spite of what they say.
Fifth, there are the actions taken and words spoken to excuse and praise the aggression of Vladimir Putin. There may be treason afoot, but Republicans on Capitol Hill go along. They do so because they see it as a small price to pay to keep someone in the White House who will give them their tax breaks and will remove regulatory control over business.
Donald Trump had help earning his "F."
In fact, there have been enough missteps and outrageous words from Trump in his first 30 days to demonstrate an ongoing march towards disaster.
The problem is in separating what President Trump has said and done into the five categories of behavior at play.
First, there are the remarks about Inauguration crowd size and similar rants which show the fragile ego and need for love.
Second, there are the insults leveled at John Lewis and others which demonstrate a juvenile insecurity.
Third, there are the remarks about Frederick Douglass and Taiwan which show ignorance.
Fourth, there are the repeated false claims of massive voter fraud, which is something the establishment Republicans demand to provide the fig leaf of justification for state laws suppressing the vote of blacks and Hispanics. In this same category is the anti-Muslim travel ban, near and dear to Republicans, in spite of what they say.
Fifth, there are the actions taken and words spoken to excuse and praise the aggression of Vladimir Putin. There may be treason afoot, but Republicans on Capitol Hill go along. They do so because they see it as a small price to pay to keep someone in the White House who will give them their tax breaks and will remove regulatory control over business.
Donald Trump had help earning his "F."
47
F minus
Politicians are best advised to remember press always wins even against a sore winner. Washington establishment always wins. How? The politicians will throw their own party's president overboard to survive personally. Mr. Trump may be pleasing those who voted for him but his policy of fighting everybody in the world will not lead to winning bigly.
7
I am reminded of people who were in line with me while we were waiting to vote last November in Muhlenberg Twp, PA. I kept quiet (not my norm!) and simply could not believe how many people said they hated Don the Con but were voting for a "good Christian," Mike Pence. These were all people whose lives would have been positively impacted by a Democratic President and Congress, but almost all within earshot were spouting FOX "alternative facts" at every turn. These are not people with whom one can have a rational conversation - they live in an alternate reality, and believe the endless bile and nonsense cranked out by right wing media outlets. The greatest lie of all is that we have a "liberal press," but these people believe it. How many ways can we state the obvious: our 4th Estate has been kneecapped by profit-addled right wing plutocrats, and is only now beginning to show some signs of resuscitation? Damage control will take years, and I'm fearful that we will lose an entire generation before we regain control - if we can. 2/17, 9:28 AM
191
Since taking office, Trump has found himself in countless situations in which he "...could have demonstrated presidential leadership by [fill in the blank]," as many commenters (here, there, and everywhere) have pointed out.
Think of all the one-sentence responses -- the ones that even Trump would be capable of composing -- that would have gone a long way toward defusing a dangerous situation, calming fears, and uniting Americans.
That this deranged person instead continues to go out of his way to lie, blame others, and otherwise not take personal responsibility for all the havoc he wreaks is all the proof I need that he's utterly incapable of ever leading our once great nation.
Think of all the one-sentence responses -- the ones that even Trump would be capable of composing -- that would have gone a long way toward defusing a dangerous situation, calming fears, and uniting Americans.
That this deranged person instead continues to go out of his way to lie, blame others, and otherwise not take personal responsibility for all the havoc he wreaks is all the proof I need that he's utterly incapable of ever leading our once great nation.
30
The potentially most damaging part of the Trump agenda is his constant antipathy and denunciation of the main stream media. All despots first try to control and co-opt the independent press. Trump adds to this his praise for his own version of the "Volkische Beobachter" er, I mean Fox News.
He is metaphorically producing his own Reichstag fire and the sitting members of his own party aren't even raising an alarm, yet alone a fire brigade.
He is metaphorically producing his own Reichstag fire and the sitting members of his own party aren't even raising an alarm, yet alone a fire brigade.
22
Every time the so-called President mentions his historic Electoral College win to gloss over a tough question from the press, the reporter should follow-up by reminding the so-called President that only 77,000 votes among 3 states gave him the win.
21
At the news conference last night, a reporter did indeed list the electorial votes from previous elections. trump's response was that somebody gave him(trump) the number he quoted ie trump has NO IDEA of what he is talking about and it's obvious he doesn't care. We have a made up presidency.
1
This country can survive Trump. We can't survive the Trump voter. We can't survive tens of millions of people watching a carnival barker and thinking "that's who I want to perform my brain surgery."
1275
Bingo! bingo, bingo, bingo.
5
It's wrong and incorrect to attack the Trump voter. Just because we don't understand their worldview doesn't mean that it is less valid than our own. Rather, we should try to understand it and attempt to show them that Trump is an opportunist who is not on their side. Calling them idiots shuts out all opportunities to reach them.
Sometimes you have to call it like you see it. When people vote against their own interests because their expectations for a great life haven't materialized it isn't bad to call them out.
2
Actually, you could have completed the Rip Van Winkle riff with waking up to learn that "... and Donald Trump is the president of the United States now.". That would be punch line enough. The rest of it, the actual reality, is far beyond anyone's ability to imagine.
13
The grade is L for Loser. Bigly.
22
Tim, you could have saved a lot of ink and newsprint by just showing a Report Card with an big "F" on it. I guess "Z" would have been more appropriate though.
5
A recent poll (I know) reports that, in a head-to-head contest, Trump would defeat Elizabeth Warren for re-election. This despite all that you so accurately report in this column. Can there be any remaining doubt what is wrong with our country, and why the so-called forgotten, angry voters who inflicted this dangerous mess on the rest of us are being left behind? Would you hire such people in your business? This is simply ignorance on a massive scale.
98
What poll is that?
1
Who/what did the poll? Reliable?
1
Michael,
Well stated.
Well stated.
2
Yes to Trump's self-described unprecedented first month productivity. He has debased our reputation, our institutions, our independence, our values, our integrity. He has aimed, and hit, our heart and soul.
And to think that Republicans accused President Obama of trying to turn the US into a different country. In truth, President Obama brought out and represented the best in America - inclusiveness, justice, courage, honesty, intellect, progress, responsibility.
Trump is trying to turn us into the backwards dictatorship of Donaldistan.
And to think that Republicans accused President Obama of trying to turn the US into a different country. In truth, President Obama brought out and represented the best in America - inclusiveness, justice, courage, honesty, intellect, progress, responsibility.
Trump is trying to turn us into the backwards dictatorship of Donaldistan.
82
Only now, by viewing him in comparison to President Trump, can we fully appreciate the intelligence, resolve, decency, patience, and discipline of President Obama. His leadership over the past eight years demonstrated for us (and the world) what American greatness is.
Fidelity to our democratic values. Always pushing forward, tackling challenges. Steady-as-we-go. Stalwart and trustworthy to be relied upon.
How grievous we took America's brand for granted and have let it be trashed.
Fidelity to our democratic values. Always pushing forward, tackling challenges. Steady-as-we-go. Stalwart and trustworthy to be relied upon.
How grievous we took America's brand for granted and have let it be trashed.
2
Trump voters will only become dissatisfied with the administration when its incompetence hits them in the wallet. When, after a year, job growth isn’t happening. When produce prices soar with the decline of available immigrant farm workers. When health insurance is less available and more expensive. When a trade war accelerates inflation. But for now Trump is the change they wanted.
46
When all of that happens, Trump and the Repubs will blame the out-of-power Dems, and the R base will believe it, and the Dems will not be able to muster a forceful defense.
1
It's jabberwocky. We, as a nation, have been pulled through the looking glass and into world of lies, ignorance, incompetence, and foolhardiness. The president berates the press for reporting the truth precisely because he can't handle the truth. He has created an alternative universe with alternative facts, alternative actjons, and alternative viewpoints, all of which are the opposite of what they should be. Indeed, he is the mad hatter, and those who fail to realize this will never return from the other side of the mirror. Sad.
28
I think we all keep thinking - hoping - that this Clown Car of the Administration and Congress will run off the road by its own massive incompetence, but as each day passes with the Clowns firmly entrenched behind the wheel, I get the sickening sense that its in fact the "ship of state" that they are piloting towards the reef of national disaster.
If there is a "God We Trust", I sure hope it manifests itself and delivers us from this impending tragedy, because human intervention by our so-called leaders appears hopeless.
If there is a "God We Trust", I sure hope it manifests itself and delivers us from this impending tragedy, because human intervention by our so-called leaders appears hopeless.
26
Do you love Trump more than your pet?
Reality alert:
On February 3, 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) removed from its website documentation about thousands of animal-related facilities regulated by the Animal Welfare Act. These include zoos, breeding facilities and research labs. A searchable database of inspection reports for commercial dog breeders was purged, as well as information documenting enforcement actions taken against them.
Until now, the reports were available to anyone with internet access—and suddenly, they’re gone. This information is critical in our efforts to monitor puppy mills and advocate for increased protections for the animals who languish in them year after year.
Your tax dollars paid for these inspections, and there’s no reason this documentation should be hidden—unless the USDA is protecting cruel industries that genuinely have something to hide.
Reality alert:
On February 3, 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) removed from its website documentation about thousands of animal-related facilities regulated by the Animal Welfare Act. These include zoos, breeding facilities and research labs. A searchable database of inspection reports for commercial dog breeders was purged, as well as information documenting enforcement actions taken against them.
Until now, the reports were available to anyone with internet access—and suddenly, they’re gone. This information is critical in our efforts to monitor puppy mills and advocate for increased protections for the animals who languish in them year after year.
Your tax dollars paid for these inspections, and there’s no reason this documentation should be hidden—unless the USDA is protecting cruel industries that genuinely have something to hide.
56
Independence day
It turns out that George Orwell was off by some 30 years. 1984 came in 2017, with alternate-facts taking the place of doublespeak and doublethink, and the only thing standing between us and Big Brother-and the end of personal freedom is the glorious natural rebellious spirit inherent in the American story. Personal freedom is a gift that was bestowed to all American-rich or poor, it's worth is priceless. The history of our country begins with a rebellion against the mightiest military power in the world. We Won, all of us , we won, and that is where we earned that priceless gift , the rich fought side by side with the penniless, the white with the black, there was no difference. only one cause, all starved together, all fought together, that is where our history begins.
Now we have arrived at another great crises in our history, the country is more divided then it has ever been, and fear trumps all, the new Kings have come, the bosses, arrogant creatures , the sense of We the people-who created this country together, fighting together, the rich and the poor, the white and the black, all of this sense of community and union is being denuded by these arrogant things, the arrogant do not believe in the idea of "we". They only know "I".
But always remember one thing-this country belongs to all of us, we the people run the show, and the vote, the precious vote is the great equalizer. 1984 has become 2017 but election day 2018 is the new independence day.
It turns out that George Orwell was off by some 30 years. 1984 came in 2017, with alternate-facts taking the place of doublespeak and doublethink, and the only thing standing between us and Big Brother-and the end of personal freedom is the glorious natural rebellious spirit inherent in the American story. Personal freedom is a gift that was bestowed to all American-rich or poor, it's worth is priceless. The history of our country begins with a rebellion against the mightiest military power in the world. We Won, all of us , we won, and that is where we earned that priceless gift , the rich fought side by side with the penniless, the white with the black, there was no difference. only one cause, all starved together, all fought together, that is where our history begins.
Now we have arrived at another great crises in our history, the country is more divided then it has ever been, and fear trumps all, the new Kings have come, the bosses, arrogant creatures , the sense of We the people-who created this country together, fighting together, the rich and the poor, the white and the black, all of this sense of community and union is being denuded by these arrogant things, the arrogant do not believe in the idea of "we". They only know "I".
But always remember one thing-this country belongs to all of us, we the people run the show, and the vote, the precious vote is the great equalizer. 1984 has become 2017 but election day 2018 is the new independence day.
15
George Orwell was an optimist.
2
George Orwell never met Donald Trump.
1
While it was funny at the time, President Obama's mocking of Trump at the 2011 White House correspondents' dinner was probably the tipping point in Trump's decision to run for president. Obviously, he was not going to challenge Obama, but with Hillary looming four years later, he bided his time, and was able to muster enough support in the middle of the country and the South to complete the Electoral College win.
One can't help but wonder what the result would have been had the Democrats, more astutely been able to see the storm clouds on the horizon, nominated Bernie Sanders instead. Washington would have still been in turmoil with Sanders at the helm, but we almost certainly not be teetering on the brink of one constitutional crisis after another.
One can't help but wonder what the result would have been had the Democrats, more astutely been able to see the storm clouds on the horizon, nominated Bernie Sanders instead. Washington would have still been in turmoil with Sanders at the helm, but we almost certainly not be teetering on the brink of one constitutional crisis after another.
3
Throw in nepotism and personal enrichment at public expense and you have any failing third world regime circa 1960.
This country is doomed.
This country is doomed.
21
I'm beginning to figure out how Trump-speak works. When he assures us that his new healthcare replacement program will be "Better and less expensive" than Obamacare, he is, I now understand, telling the truth, but from a Republican perspective. Based on tax credits, Trumpcare will be better and less expensive for the government, not the people it is supposed to benefit. About 40% of Americans don't make enough (more than $30,000 annually) to pay federal income taxes, so Trumpcare we'll be of little benefit to many people currently enrolled in Obamacare. Seen from his perspective, the Donald is telling truth. It will be "better and less expensive", just not for those who need it most.
18
And all that fail is self inflicted, shots in foot, internally generated. There were no crises that required a quick and difficult decision. Yet Trump tells us he inherited a mess, as if he was placed in a crisis rather than created one.
10
I think we should thank our lucky stars that there hasn't been a crisis that requires a quick and difficult decision.
2
Timothy, your last line is a corker. Trump's administration and "achievements" in his first month have surely never been done before.
Who could make this up? An amalgam of every cable thriller from "Homeland" and "Veep" to the "Americans, combined with older films from the 60s and 70s like "Dr. Strangelove" and "Being There" all unfolding before our eyes.
As a thriller, "Trump" is so over the top even a hack scriptwriter would trash it. And yet, here we are. The Russian interference in our elections was no coincidence, just a move aimed at satisfying a dictator's hatred of Hillary Clinton.
No, Russia achieved its goal, no matter what happens under a Trump: the destabilization and weakening of American democracy.
Does anybody feel we are stronger today under Donald Trump after one month? How many feel safe without a strong security apparatus in place, myriad government positions, many critical, still unfilled?
Is America prepared for a sudden crisis of monumental proportions? How will our "leader" react if such news hits him again at Mar a Lago?
Say what you will about President Obama, but most know that at time of crisis, an intelligent, deliberate President willing to listen to advisors made us made America safer than that unhinged presser performance yesterday.
"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you...." Can this be said of Donald Trump?
Who could make this up? An amalgam of every cable thriller from "Homeland" and "Veep" to the "Americans, combined with older films from the 60s and 70s like "Dr. Strangelove" and "Being There" all unfolding before our eyes.
As a thriller, "Trump" is so over the top even a hack scriptwriter would trash it. And yet, here we are. The Russian interference in our elections was no coincidence, just a move aimed at satisfying a dictator's hatred of Hillary Clinton.
No, Russia achieved its goal, no matter what happens under a Trump: the destabilization and weakening of American democracy.
Does anybody feel we are stronger today under Donald Trump after one month? How many feel safe without a strong security apparatus in place, myriad government positions, many critical, still unfilled?
Is America prepared for a sudden crisis of monumental proportions? How will our "leader" react if such news hits him again at Mar a Lago?
Say what you will about President Obama, but most know that at time of crisis, an intelligent, deliberate President willing to listen to advisors made us made America safer than that unhinged presser performance yesterday.
"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you...." Can this be said of Donald Trump?
30
I am concerned that the op-ed group, the commenters and many of the articles in the Times are just re-hashing how crazy Trump is, and how we are in dangerously deep trouble. No doubt, whatsoever, these points are true and this is all very, very scary and unbelievable, and we do need to support each other.
Are there some other facts and insights we (you) can use besides this, frankly, way too easily written laundry list?
How are states fighting back? Why is the sustainable energy business doing so well? (lots of manufacturing jobs there) Why is it that transgender issues are on the front page several times a week, considering climate change (ironically) is offering a huge spectrum of jobs that will only increase, and this is not mentioned? Trans people need support, yes--but they are a tiny minority of people with puzzling, outsize coverage.
Why are most of the Trump voters above median income?
Why is it that Senator Wyden is offering a solution to voter problems that you and MSM are not mentioning?
Why is there a grave danger to rebuilding an infrastructure that
uses the same and outdated materials costing billions of dollars?
The punch that the delivers, is often the one that shows how the trendsetters are solving real problems, way out in front of the fray. There are people, heroic people, working with little media coverage, in the sciences, in foundations, in sustainable products, politics...that both lead sane people and threaten the Trump base.
Are there some other facts and insights we (you) can use besides this, frankly, way too easily written laundry list?
How are states fighting back? Why is the sustainable energy business doing so well? (lots of manufacturing jobs there) Why is it that transgender issues are on the front page several times a week, considering climate change (ironically) is offering a huge spectrum of jobs that will only increase, and this is not mentioned? Trans people need support, yes--but they are a tiny minority of people with puzzling, outsize coverage.
Why are most of the Trump voters above median income?
Why is it that Senator Wyden is offering a solution to voter problems that you and MSM are not mentioning?
Why is there a grave danger to rebuilding an infrastructure that
uses the same and outdated materials costing billions of dollars?
The punch that the delivers, is often the one that shows how the trendsetters are solving real problems, way out in front of the fray. There are people, heroic people, working with little media coverage, in the sciences, in foundations, in sustainable products, politics...that both lead sane people and threaten the Trump base.
22
Time to review the impeachment timeline- 3 months vs 6?
2
This reads like a case study in a psychiatric journal of narcissistic personality disorder.
4
Trump uttered one other truth. He said the media has a lower rate of approval than Congress (which is a false statement) followed by: "I may have had something to do with that". Ya think!
1
To get an overall sense of what is happening with this "so-called" president, how he thinks and how he intends to govern, I suggest a reading of Part I, chapter 5 of George Orwell's "1984".
Here we have our hero, Winston Smith having a sit-down with his colleague Syme discussing the finer nuances of the most recent edition of Newspeak. As you read, please keep in mind Mr. Trump's favorite form of communication, Twitter. You can draw your own conclusions.
Here we have our hero, Winston Smith having a sit-down with his colleague Syme discussing the finer nuances of the most recent edition of Newspeak. As you read, please keep in mind Mr. Trump's favorite form of communication, Twitter. You can draw your own conclusions.
3
To coin a phrase :"if a bird had Trump's brain it would fly backwards".
3
And that is in LESS THAN 2% of Trump term in office.
It's going to be a bumpy ride.
It's going to be a bumpy ride.
Great column, Mr. Egan. Your list of Trump's "accomplishments" during his first month is a tad different from the list Trump presented in his press conference. The items you mentioned seemed to have slipped his mind.
2
making america great well maybe a c minus or d plus. making america GRATE triple AAA PLUS. remember it is his dictionary and he is the boss. cee
2
Trump's report card could also read as follows:
American History: F
Civics / Political Science: F
International Relations: F
Statistics: F
Speech / Political Discourse: F
Narrative Fiction: A+
Sales & Marketing / Promoting the Family Business: A (for effort)
Drama / Theater Arts: A+
This is going to be one of the worst presidential "semesters" in history.
American History: F
Civics / Political Science: F
International Relations: F
Statistics: F
Speech / Political Discourse: F
Narrative Fiction: A+
Sales & Marketing / Promoting the Family Business: A (for effort)
Drama / Theater Arts: A+
This is going to be one of the worst presidential "semesters" in history.
30
I go to the NYC theater a lot, and feel that the best theater awaits me when I get home and log on to Twitter.
3
Yes, I agree, and yesterday's performance falls into the category of Theater of the Absurd.
1
On the Home Page alone, much to trumps delight, there are 17 articles concerning him! What a success story!
10
Ok, can we just use simple language here? He's nuts. That press conference was the very definition of derangement.
21
Let's not forget that the democrats share much of the blame. Had they only fielded a more attractive candidate than Clinton, Trump would be grumbling about election hall from his golden tower, instead of grumbling about election fraud from the oval office.
4
Nonsense. Look what happened to all the other "attractive" Republican candidates. There is a certain mass of the population, strategically spread out through gerrymandering, that thrills to a bully's touch. They are the same type of people who think there isn't anything wrong with cockfighting or bull baiting. They love authoritarian strong-men. They don't understand grace or humor -- they think it's funny if somebody falls down. These are mean, harsh, intellectually lazy people. They love the sight of blood so much they will cut off their noses to spite their faces. It is those people who are in charge. No woman would ever be elected President by them because they fundamentally do not respect women. And any other Democratic candidate would have been subject to the same treatment. These people must be contained and pushed back at every level, local, state, and federal. These people do not want democracy -- they want the fist, as do their Russian allies. As do oligarchs the world over. Do not become so mesmerized by our so-called President that you don't see the truth of the people he represents.
5
More nonsense. Voters did not want politics as usual, which is exactly what HRC is. They wanted change. Unfortunately, the only option for change provided was Trump. Am I a Trump supporter? Hardly. I wake up every day hoping it's just a bad dream. But the fact remain, HRC was an extremely poor choice as the republican candidate, she ran a terrible campaign, and believed everyone telling her Trump would never win. Her being a woman had nothing to do with it.
No. It's people who thought like that, who on Election Day chose not to vote for Clinton for any reason is what gave us Clinton.
Trump and the seven times seven times seven dwarves have made it legal for coalmining companies to pollute thousands of miles of streams. Pollution flows into rivers and into the seas. There are already advisories and warnings against eating fish from a large swathe of coastal seas and from inland lakes. While Trump can spin this as a job-creating measure, he can't hide the fact that it's a move to enrich his own class of wealthy chums. Trump's actions don't need to make sense to the unpoorly-educated of America. They just need to bring joy to the others. Thus, we get the Canadian pipeline. the hasty attack in Yemen, insults to world leaders, and a nasty, unfocused travel ban. Our GUY!
12
Everyday Americans, take back power.
Hold the GOP congress accountable for not doing their jobs in investigating the Russian connection by appointing a special impartial investigator.
Trump is holding a rally in Melbourne, FL, this weekend.
Whatever state you're in, organize or attend a protest rally for the same time.
Media should give more coverage to the protest rallies.
Because that IS the story.
Hold the GOP congress accountable for not doing their jobs in investigating the Russian connection by appointing a special impartial investigator.
Trump is holding a rally in Melbourne, FL, this weekend.
Whatever state you're in, organize or attend a protest rally for the same time.
Media should give more coverage to the protest rallies.
Because that IS the story.
12
All true. All overwhelming. I've only been a moderately religious person in my adult life, but I've resolved to pray that God will save us. I can't sleep well or eat well. My stomach is usually in a knot, and I have a near permanent headache. The only consolation is that nearly everyone I know feels the same way. It should have a name, perhaps Trump flu. We need help. From whence will it come. Perhaps it will come from God, but perhaps this is a punishment from God. Who knows? But we the American people must rise up against this Trump demagoguery and against the inaction of the Republican Congress that is affirming it. This may be one of the greatest crises of American history. How we respond may dictate the nature of the country for the next several generations.
20
In the meantime, try to take care of yourself. Limit yourself to an hour or two per day reading the news in print or online, and reading online comment threads like this one. Don't leave the 24 hour news channels on all day. Don't. Turn it off or turn on a music channel. Keep away from all news for at least an hour before you try to sleep. Read something light and non-political. Keep sane and keep healthy - we need all the voters we can get. Keep in mind that there are a lot more of us than there are of them. And when you come to the end of your day, remember: the resistance is awake. You can sleep.
1
Thank you. Actually I took a month of news blackout after the election. But then I slipped. Good advice for many of us.
2
For the Trump enablers who feel immune from the chaos, you are about to learn a bitter lesson.
Your indifference to the destruction of Obamacare will come at a price. The wealthy will reap a tax cut because company paid health benefits will soon be taxed as regular income, in effect a salary cut.
You've earned it.
Your indifference to the destruction of Obamacare will come at a price. The wealthy will reap a tax cut because company paid health benefits will soon be taxed as regular income, in effect a salary cut.
You've earned it.
20
No, not to those of us who actually WORK for a living. You're referring to those who are able but refuse to get off their couches. Facts matter.
Company employees will be disastrously affected. They work for a living, and will get a salary cut, in effect. Facts do matter, as well as reading properly.
3
Wow, so much for supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses who may not be able to otherwise get healthcare. Facts DO matter - the alternative facts used by Trump and his supporters - not so much.
1
Mr. Egan, on waking from our coma, you left out the sight of an even greater travesty:
Republicans in Congress picking their nose while their failed president puts on an ugly display of psychotic incompetence on the world stage.
Not only are we aghast to see Trump's failed presidency, we are stunned, in greater disbelief, to see the nose pickers busy with all fingers. Hoping all eyes are on the failed president and no one is watching them.
Republicans in Congress picking their nose while their failed president puts on an ugly display of psychotic incompetence on the world stage.
Not only are we aghast to see Trump's failed presidency, we are stunned, in greater disbelief, to see the nose pickers busy with all fingers. Hoping all eyes are on the failed president and no one is watching them.
84
It was obvious from his rallies that Trump's instability and infantile behavior is contagious, but I have to confess I think my own mental health and maturity are being affected from afar. Lately, as if speaking to my late mother and father, who were thankfully not here to see the results of this appalling election, I find myself asking, "Do we really have to have him a our president? Can't we make him leave?"
52
I do not like thee Trump or Pence
At each one's words I take offense,
My distrust of both is immense
I do not like thee Trump or Pence.
I don't look forward to TrumpCare
T'will be a fraud I am aware,
And drive its users to despair
I don't look forward to TrumpCare.
I do not like the new Trump Wall,
The very concept doth appall,
To build it may end in Trump's fall,
I do not like the new Trump Wall.
I scoff at Trump and "voter fraud"
At his great chutzpah I am awed
Anti-Trump marches I applaud,
I scoff at Trump and "voter fraud".
I hate the Trump immigrant ban,
He is a most bigoted man,
He'll disrupt families if he can,
I have the Trump immigrant ban.
At each one's words I take offense,
My distrust of both is immense
I do not like thee Trump or Pence.
I don't look forward to TrumpCare
T'will be a fraud I am aware,
And drive its users to despair
I don't look forward to TrumpCare.
I do not like the new Trump Wall,
The very concept doth appall,
To build it may end in Trump's fall,
I do not like the new Trump Wall.
I scoff at Trump and "voter fraud"
At his great chutzpah I am awed
Anti-Trump marches I applaud,
I scoff at Trump and "voter fraud".
I hate the Trump immigrant ban,
He is a most bigoted man,
He'll disrupt families if he can,
I have the Trump immigrant ban.
293
Welcome back Larry!
4
Mr. Eisenberg, good to hear your voice again.
4
I missed you, sir. Glad to see you're back.
5
Meantime, attention has been deflected from the machinations of the GOP-controlled Congress, which has approved legislation to allow oil companies to pour sludge into pristine streams, to enable severely mentally ill people to buy guns, and avoided like the plague any mention of Trump and his increasingly bizarre Russian Relationship. This is precisely what Trump voters and Congressional leaders wanted: a side show that enables Congress to do its foul deeds in the dark.
Apparently, about half the citizens of this once proud nation are satisfied with this state of affairs. How else to explain the absence of protests or even alarm that the Russians have anchored a reconnaissance vessel 30 miles off the coast of Connecticut. Or that Trump's Cabinet picks are a veritable stable of Wall Street insiders. Or that an independent judiciary and a free press are under constant White House threat.
Some change, this. Making America a third world failed state.
Apparently, about half the citizens of this once proud nation are satisfied with this state of affairs. How else to explain the absence of protests or even alarm that the Russians have anchored a reconnaissance vessel 30 miles off the coast of Connecticut. Or that Trump's Cabinet picks are a veritable stable of Wall Street insiders. Or that an independent judiciary and a free press are under constant White House threat.
Some change, this. Making America a third world failed state.
76
When I went for my yearly flu vaccine shot I asked if they also had something to protect against Trump. They told me they were working on it. As shown by Egan, much remains to be done.
65
President Trump's future report cards may only get worse. I hope the American people can find a way to limit the damage and that his own actions will have him removed from office.
But let's not lose sight of the most important goal of all: the reform and restructuring of the Democratic Party and its essential task, to create a broad political consensus that includes the voters who supported Donald Trump and who were so disillusioned that they were willing to look past of all the man's obvious flaws. It will take a broad political will to address the key aspects of the daily life we all share: financial security, health, education, decent retirement, and a public infrastructure fit to use.
We can't ignore the Russians and any other critical issues that emerge in the Trump administration. But we will make a huge mistake if the DNC gets off the hook and a possible Democratic victory next time is just a more turn of the gothic political carousel we've been on for years and not a real sea change. My biggest fear is that liberals and Democrats will learn little or nothing from their defeat last November.
But let's not lose sight of the most important goal of all: the reform and restructuring of the Democratic Party and its essential task, to create a broad political consensus that includes the voters who supported Donald Trump and who were so disillusioned that they were willing to look past of all the man's obvious flaws. It will take a broad political will to address the key aspects of the daily life we all share: financial security, health, education, decent retirement, and a public infrastructure fit to use.
We can't ignore the Russians and any other critical issues that emerge in the Trump administration. But we will make a huge mistake if the DNC gets off the hook and a possible Democratic victory next time is just a more turn of the gothic political carousel we've been on for years and not a real sea change. My biggest fear is that liberals and Democrats will learn little or nothing from their defeat last November.
37
Amen.
1
" to create a broad political consensus that includes the voters who supported Donald Trump and who were so disillusioned that they were willing to look past of all the man's obvious flaws."
Not calling them the deplorables would be the first step.
But the NYT hates the Trump voters just as much as it hates Trump. It would prefer the totally unrealistic strategy of deporting the 63 million Americans who voted for Trump and giving citizenship to the 11 million illegal immigrants, who would then vote for the Democrats for the next 100 years.
Maybe Trump is insane. But so is the NYT.
It has NO solutions to offer - just invective.
Not calling them the deplorables would be the first step.
But the NYT hates the Trump voters just as much as it hates Trump. It would prefer the totally unrealistic strategy of deporting the 63 million Americans who voted for Trump and giving citizenship to the 11 million illegal immigrants, who would then vote for the Democrats for the next 100 years.
Maybe Trump is insane. But so is the NYT.
It has NO solutions to offer - just invective.
1
Most of the real damage is yet to come. Congress will reform ACA and block grant Medicaid to the States. That pain will come slowly, as people don't die quickly or evaporate. There will be tax reform. That pain will take even longer. The rich will have another avenue to siphon off the nation's wealth. I'm also sure that Bannon will take Trump into ground war somewhere as a deflection ploy, as it all unfolds. Those soldiers will come home in body bags and Trump will tell us that he went to a military high school, so he can relate. He will leave out the parts about his "so called" deferments from Vietnam draft.
93
War, for a President, is job security.
Let's all remember that yesterday trump bragged that if he blew up the Russian ship we would all be cheering. Sad thing, he's half right.
Let's all remember that yesterday trump bragged that if he blew up the Russian ship we would all be cheering. Sad thing, he's half right.
2
Resist and Persist.
I still think that the Jeb/Rubio presidency would have been much worse but let's see if the country can get through February and I may have changed my mind.
I still think that the Jeb/Rubio presidency would have been much worse but let's see if the country can get through February and I may have changed my mind.
3
Debra, I would welcome Bush/Rubio with open arms right now. If someone re-animated Richard Nixon I would be delirious with joy. I'd dance with joy if Romney was in the White House-or John McCain or Lindsey Graham. That's where I am right now!
3
Really? Since all the GOP candidates essentially agreed with each other in policy, you are only playing word games.
You know it's pretty bad when you think even Bush would be better than Trump!!!
3
"Prompted a top-ranked American general to wonder whether his own government was “stable,” No surprise there: Trump is undermining the entire US security system -- NATO, US-Japan alliance, "detente with China," US posture in the Middle East, the "good neighbor" policy in Latin America, etc. etc. etc. The military knows it. A poll of troops in 2016 showed support for a Matthis-led coup if Trump were elected. www.duffelblog.com/2016/08/military-coup-wins-poll/ Don't be surprised if the military replaces Trump with Pence. Can't wait for the 2018 election and impeachment by a new Congress.
13
Uh, that poll was reported in the blog that says about itself:
"After reporting on President John Adams’ $200 per week cocaine habit in March 1799, Duffel Blog was named The American Military’s Most-Trusted News Source by the Columbia Journalism Review and the nickname stuck."
(http://www.duffelblog.com/about/#ixzz4YxrfZ2vU)
"After reporting on President John Adams’ $200 per week cocaine habit in March 1799, Duffel Blog was named The American Military’s Most-Trusted News Source by the Columbia Journalism Review and the nickname stuck."
(http://www.duffelblog.com/about/#ixzz4YxrfZ2vU)
How can anyone be a friend to this guy - truly? Sycophant yes, friend no. He is so strangely self-centered that when someone criticizes anything, however unrelated, he seems to process the complaint as if it's about him and therefore he needs to explain why the truth is being manipulated, why it's not his fault, why if he were involved it would have turned out great, and how he is the absolute greatest ... whatever ... . This explains his whining, his bragging, and his "view" of reality. I just can't see how even his own mother, wife(wives), and children can stand him.
121
Note: Melania's absence. There are excellent schools in Washington for Barron's specific issues, but she chooses to stay away from Donald.
Who can blame her?
Who can blame her?
3
You'll have noticed his current wife isn't living with him... Small wonder! She's seized her opportunity - separation without scandal.
3
A plus !!
He is the most popular leader ever and has turned the country around in so many ways. Unemployment was at 40% and is now at 4%, and the market is up something like 20,000 points after failing so bad after Obama.
The country is active and ALIVE, and the bad hombres are being cleansed. Bye bye ....
He is the most popular leader ever and has turned the country around in so many ways. Unemployment was at 40% and is now at 4%, and the market is up something like 20,000 points after failing so bad after Obama.
The country is active and ALIVE, and the bad hombres are being cleansed. Bye bye ....
5
You are kidding, right?
9
| Unemployment was at 40% and is now at 4%...
Please tell me I am missing your sarcasm. You don't honestly believe that do you? The 40% number is obviously absurd in the first place, and a change from 40% to 4% would mean that Trump had created 50-60 million jobs in 4 weeks. How did he do that exactly, would you mind telling me?
Please tell me I am missing your sarcasm. You don't honestly believe that do you? The 40% number is obviously absurd in the first place, and a change from 40% to 4% would mean that Trump had created 50-60 million jobs in 4 weeks. How did he do that exactly, would you mind telling me?
2
What was his approval rating yesterday, Fran?
Where do you get your information about his popularity?
Name some of the ways he's turned the country around (you don't have to mention the worst of them if you don't want to.)
Where do you get your information about his popularity?
Name some of the ways he's turned the country around (you don't have to mention the worst of them if you don't want to.)
1
Illegal voting is easily debunked:
How many buses would be required to transport 3-5 million illegal voters?
The typical greyhound has 52 seats. That means somewhere between 58,000-96,000 buses would have had to be used to transport all those people to the polls. In 2014, the whole state of California had 33,934 registered private and commercial buses (https://www.statista.com/statistics/196342/total-number-of-registered-bu.... New Hampshire has 653.
I think someone would have noticed.
How many buses would be required to transport 3-5 million illegal voters?
The typical greyhound has 52 seats. That means somewhere between 58,000-96,000 buses would have had to be used to transport all those people to the polls. In 2014, the whole state of California had 33,934 registered private and commercial buses (https://www.statista.com/statistics/196342/total-number-of-registered-bu.... New Hampshire has 653.
I think someone would have noticed.
69
False premise on the debunking theory. There are multiple polling place, usually set up by the number of people living in an area. Buses would not be required for people to walk to their neighborhood polling place in the city.
1
All t hose Greyhound drivers and mechanics would provide employment for 3 years!
1
They are not walking to their neighborhood polling place. The claim that Stephen Miller made was that people were being bussed from Massachusetts to vote illegally in New Hampshire. Said before; debunked. Said now; debunked again.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/feb/12/stephen-m...
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/feb/12/stephen-m...
4
But Mr. Egan, (with my tongue in my cheek) I ask you, did you not hear DJT's press conference in which, after he reaffirmed how he won with the largest amount of electoral votes ever, he spent 15 minutes on a campaign speech itemizing his many achievements, more than any other president, ever? He should not even be given a report card...he needs to be sent to the principal's office and expelled. Intelligent and thoughtful minds can differentiate between shaking things up and full-on destruction. There is not enough space here to expose every irresponsible act that he has done so far, and we aren't even yet at the end of his first month in office.
53
He leads by fear, and fear alone. Not my leader. He will not take away my country.
67
The editorial board doesn't understand how to deal with an agent of change. In short, you have to swim with the tide, not against the tide. Trump won because he said he would change things and fast. When radical change occurs, people resist. People always say 'that's not the way we have always done it". Insiders will work behind the curtain to damage the change agent. The change agent knows all of this and presses on while disposing of anyone who will not accept change.
The media is feeding Trump's narrative. If every article slams Trump then it becomes very difficult to believe any article...true, or not. Trump is no different than any other change agent....he is using the media and their very low approval and trust ratings against them. You are falling right into his trap.
The media is feeding Trump's narrative. If every article slams Trump then it becomes very difficult to believe any article...true, or not. Trump is no different than any other change agent....he is using the media and their very low approval and trust ratings against them. You are falling right into his trap.
44
This guy, trump, ratified the illegal pre-election contacts by his campaign staff with Russian Intelligence official. That's what he said at his "news conference". To me this it means he probably participated in the illegal activity and is trying to soften the blow when the truth comes out. Just because trump has his own narrative does not mean one abandons the task of making sure someone like trump is bounced out of office. The alternative is to give him what he wants which is not what the majority of Americans want.
4
It is becoming more and more apparent that this man has no trap. The only excuse Trump might have that he is not a liar is that he is delusional and actually believes the bizarre statements he is making.
8
Only an idiot tries to "disrupt" everything at once. Mr. Trump doesn't aim for success; he aims for "all eyes on him", and is successful there. Mr. Obama, on the contrary, in response to the death of Senator Kennedy and the Democratic team's multi-year effort and inclusive plan to bring health care to most or all Americans, used all his political capital to bring Obamacare to the nation. He said it wasn't perfect and asked for bipartisanship to improve the plan, which the Republicans never provided in over eight years of nay-saying. He succeeded in bringing health care to over twenty million Americans, reducing cancer and mortality rates for all Americans. That is what being a real agent of change means; it's actually collaborative, focused, and challenging statesmanship. It's the opposite of the destructive, bring the country down the tubes in a month egomania on display here.
9
The smooth running machine: it lurches forward and back erratically, it sways from side to side, it sputters, it belches smoke.
That is what clown cars do. It is, indeed, running smoothly, but it is driverless, on the sidewalk, picking off random pedestrians, and forcing survivors into the streets.
That is what clown cars do. It is, indeed, running smoothly, but it is driverless, on the sidewalk, picking off random pedestrians, and forcing survivors into the streets.
21
The grade is F. F as in "failure". This month has been a dystopic mess of a presidency and it is quite possible we haven't seen anything yet.
33
The home of the brave, isn't to be found in either the White House or the Capitol.
37
Is there any chance we can opt to be put in a coma until this so called President is gone ?
219
This is a comma in U.S. history, not a period.
45
That would be very dangerous. The country needs thinking people to keep fighting against his nominees and to investigate his inappropriate ties to special interests.
2
I'd even opt for alien abduction!!!
1
It feels like North Korea with more food.
433
Mr. Berry,
Spot on.
Spot on.
4
Great line... that one made me laugh out loud!
More food so far. Cut off Mexico and that may change.
2
“I don’t think there’s ever been a president elected who in this short period of time has done what we’ve done.”
This is clear evidence that 45 does not know what irony is, for otherwise he'd never have said that. Sad, very sad!
This is clear evidence that 45 does not know what irony is, for otherwise he'd never have said that. Sad, very sad!
64
He thinks irony is something the maid does to his clothing.
6
Can we call Deep Throat out of retirement?
48
@Bob: Unfortunately he's dead. But there are lots of others who could take his place. Since the Republicans won't investigate the Trump administration's ties to Russia, we the people must rely on leakers and the media to do it. Trump and his henchmen will help. They're too arrogant and ignorant to cover up effectively. Bit by bit, they'll dime themselves.
6
It's hard to decide Trump's most contemptible characteristic. Is it:
a) bullying
b) whining
c) boasting
or d) lying
a) bullying
b) whining
c) boasting
or d) lying
61
All of the above.
5
e) All of the above.
3
His language may be a little odd but his actions are pure Republican evil and this is why the Republican majority in Congress backs his cabinet picks and is drooling at the prospects of his signature on their tax and healthcare legislation. The mess he and his Republican Party are creating is going to take a long time correct assuming we will still have a republic when they are through.
155
Actually trump's One-Month Report Card is much worse than I had expected on January 20, and I had very low expectations. I watched his news "Show" yesterday and ,well, it would of been very funny if he were not the "president". The thing that horrifies me the most is his assault on any and all types of media that do not praise him and support his alternate reality. The fact he is still talking about Clinton and elector votes shows he has a problem. I just hope we can get through his time in office without any major crises. Just think of him in charge in 2008 & 9! Very scary.
585
He also would tell the reporters" your ratings are terrible". Does he realize how terrible the US is rated right now.
1
Seems to me his "news" conference, campaign rally in Florida, his comments on Clinton and the election, his attacks on the Press all show his desire and need to return to the campaign trail and his adoring supporters. That was how he got positive reinforcement for the many vicious and hateful things he said.
He is full of rage, disappointment, anger and resentment and he needs the crowd to ratify him.
He is full of rage, disappointment, anger and resentment and he needs the crowd to ratify him.
3
"I just hope we can get through his time in office without any major crises."
I don't hold out much hope for that. Hurricane season is five months away. Springtime thaw with its floods is just about two months away.
I don't hold out much hope for that. Hurricane season is five months away. Springtime thaw with its floods is just about two months away.
2
You forgot to mention that Trump went to the National Prayer Breakfast and asked for everyone to pray for Arnold Schwarzenegger's ratings on "Celebrity Apprentice," given that they were so much worse than the "ratings-machine" DJT.
61
There is one thing I just cannot fathom: How can otherwise rational people see president Trump repeating the obvious fantasy of massive in-person voter fraud (100% against him, no less) and the delusion of the epic inaugural crowds that were not there and not admit that this man is mentally unstable?
My God, how long can they hold on to their Trump fantasies, and at what cost to America and the world?
My God, how long can they hold on to their Trump fantasies, and at what cost to America and the world?
1197
Rational? Not by a long shot.
3
Your assumption is that they hear those facts. The news sources they see and hear never mention the disparities. They see articles like how the left is creating 1984 with its wishes for a centralized govt. On the day Trump fired Flynn for his talking to Russia they saw headlines that said illegal leaks are getting out of control in Washington.
9
We passed the "How can otherwise rational people...?" thing a long time ago, after they ignored his mocking a disabled person, refusing to release his tax returns (clearly hiding something), his bizarre fawning over Putin and Russia, having been caught on tape admitting to serial sexual assault, telling the world on national television that his genitalia is in great shape....and that really is just the tip of the iceberg. I guess they were okay with all of that because he didn't have a personal email server.
But wait....he IS using unsecured media, and suddenly those "otherwise rational people" don't care.
I'm beginning to question the "otherwise rational" thing.
But wait....he IS using unsecured media, and suddenly those "otherwise rational people" don't care.
I'm beginning to question the "otherwise rational" thing.
11
“The powers of the president to protect our country are very substantial and will not be questioned,”
This statement by Mr. Miller continues to be increasingly chilling every time I see it.
This statement by Mr. Miller continues to be increasingly chilling every time I see it.
326
Don't forget the corollary to Mr. Miller's statement:
"A lie told once remains a lie but a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth."
"A lie told once remains a lie but a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth."
5
Trump provided a more chilling statement than Miller's statement in his Inaugural, which seems to have gone under the radar. He presented a litmus test for being an American.
And not being an American, especially for Trump - a full-blown authoritarian malignant narcissist - means you're a Traitor. And Traitors will be shot.
So what did he say?
"At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America, and through our loyalty to our country, we will rediscover our loyalty to each other. When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice."
See the litmus test? Trump wants Total Allegiance, Total Loyalty, and Total Patriotism. This is what defines an American.
But Trump is a Narcissist grandiose-type - he defines "America" as Himself!
Patriotism (defined as obedient to himself) is the litmus test for being American.
The Trumpsters agree with this. They are all in for Trump - if he fires off a Nuke, they will cheer.
Non-Americans are Traitors. They can be put into reeducation camps, deported, or shot.
And not being an American, especially for Trump - a full-blown authoritarian malignant narcissist - means you're a Traitor. And Traitors will be shot.
So what did he say?
"At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America, and through our loyalty to our country, we will rediscover our loyalty to each other. When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice."
See the litmus test? Trump wants Total Allegiance, Total Loyalty, and Total Patriotism. This is what defines an American.
But Trump is a Narcissist grandiose-type - he defines "America" as Himself!
Patriotism (defined as obedient to himself) is the litmus test for being American.
The Trumpsters agree with this. They are all in for Trump - if he fires off a Nuke, they will cheer.
Non-Americans are Traitors. They can be put into reeducation camps, deported, or shot.
1
How many times have we heard about who really won the popular vote?
Did that make any difference?
Of all the things that need to be done, and all the things with which Democrats could appeal to voters, is Russia Is Coming really the best?
It is the best for some Democrats. It is the best for those who also don't want to regulate banks, who also want more wars, who also want the big trade deals -- what were once called the (Scoop) Jackson Democrats and are now the Hillary Democrats.
That stuff is what so deservedly lost.
There are better Democrats, and better Democratic arguments.
So in this first month, what did Trump do on those issues? Nothing, except tear down what little good there was.
What does he propose? More destruction of what little good there was.
THOSE are the issues to push -- Banks and Wall Street, infrastructure and jobs, health care, defending Social Security and Medicare, economic justice for the 99%.
Not this. This stuff is what one argues when one does not have a better argument -- it is foreign devils to distract from domestic misdeeds.
End the wars now. Stop the endless crisis making by choice. Take care of Americans here at home.
Did that make any difference?
Of all the things that need to be done, and all the things with which Democrats could appeal to voters, is Russia Is Coming really the best?
It is the best for some Democrats. It is the best for those who also don't want to regulate banks, who also want more wars, who also want the big trade deals -- what were once called the (Scoop) Jackson Democrats and are now the Hillary Democrats.
That stuff is what so deservedly lost.
There are better Democrats, and better Democratic arguments.
So in this first month, what did Trump do on those issues? Nothing, except tear down what little good there was.
What does he propose? More destruction of what little good there was.
THOSE are the issues to push -- Banks and Wall Street, infrastructure and jobs, health care, defending Social Security and Medicare, economic justice for the 99%.
Not this. This stuff is what one argues when one does not have a better argument -- it is foreign devils to distract from domestic misdeeds.
End the wars now. Stop the endless crisis making by choice. Take care of Americans here at home.
14
The kind of distorted description you offer of Hillary Clinton, put forward by supposed Democrats, is part of the cause for this national nightmare we are now experiencing. Stop with it already.
4
You keep going on about Democrats wanting war while Trump, Bannon and Miller are busy ginning one up, starting with sending more troops to Iraq. Scoop Jackson died long ago, and one reason we instead of the Russians are bogged down in Afghanistan is because of Republicans. Remember Charlie Wilson's War? And just who was it who attacked Iraq? Bush I and Bush II.
Then you tell us to push on protecting Social Security, etc. Do you call out the Republicans on these items? Or do you just bash Democrats?
In reply to Mark Thomason.
Then you tell us to push on protecting Social Security, etc. Do you call out the Republicans on these items? Or do you just bash Democrats?
In reply to Mark Thomason.
5
The temptation would be to slip back into the coma -- or at least to seek out some "good news" -- for example, a happy and uplifting human interest story. Sadly, our human interest at the moment is to figure out how to survive Trump's ambition, and the power-quest of his merry band, with the free rule of constitutional law intact. It has been a month of failures for Trump, but most of all for us. How did this man get elected, and how will it end? This is not normal, and we must never get used to it.
642
It will not end well. I can assure you of that.
1
After that press conference how much more do GOP senators need to realize they are dealing with a dangerous maniac? Trump's base may feel energized by that stream of abuse. lies and nonsense but I refuse to believe that everybody who voted for Trump see what they hoped for. All through the unending campaign the more sensible Republicans kept hoping for a presidential Trump
to eventually emerge. He is now President, still the same Trump and will continue to be the same serial liar for 4 years if Congress let's him. Can the country really afford 47 months like the last one?
to eventually emerge. He is now President, still the same Trump and will continue to be the same serial liar for 4 years if Congress let's him. Can the country really afford 47 months like the last one?
132
Every time he lies about the election results or insists that millions of people voted illegally, I say "Do it Over!" His election is illegitimate anyway - brought to us by Putin. All the more reason to Do It Over.
26
There is no provision in our Constitution that would enable us to re-run this corrupted election. If the majority ever manages to regain control of the levers of government, perhaps one of the first orders of business should be an amendment to do just that.....and an amendment jettisoning the now infamous Electoral College. The states with smaller populations have more than enough protection in the Senate.
3
It's not as though we had no warning. He was a lying train wreck before the election, and now he's a lying train wreck after the election There was clearly something wrong with him during the debates with normal human Hillary Clinton, as he stalked, sniffed, spewed random epithets and promised to lock her up while she was in the middle of a sentence.
But there were a lot of resentful people out there in fly-over land who were fed up with having to endure a decent, intelligent and compassionate human in the Oval Office. They wanted someone they could relate to. And now they have him.
A minority of Americans somehow managed to elect a guy who would run the country like they would. How hard could it be? Any moron could do it. But now that any moron is in the position, it's a different story. You could say they're having second thoughts, but that would imply that they had a first one, and there's no evidence of that.
So the deplorables got what they asked for. They mixed cluelessness with a toxic democracy and got kleptocracy. It was in the cards.
There's no easy way out when a government of the people is rendered dysfunctional by the people.
The only positive thing about this is that if Betsy DeVos wants to dumb down America she won't have to break a sweat.
But there were a lot of resentful people out there in fly-over land who were fed up with having to endure a decent, intelligent and compassionate human in the Oval Office. They wanted someone they could relate to. And now they have him.
A minority of Americans somehow managed to elect a guy who would run the country like they would. How hard could it be? Any moron could do it. But now that any moron is in the position, it's a different story. You could say they're having second thoughts, but that would imply that they had a first one, and there's no evidence of that.
So the deplorables got what they asked for. They mixed cluelessness with a toxic democracy and got kleptocracy. It was in the cards.
There's no easy way out when a government of the people is rendered dysfunctional by the people.
The only positive thing about this is that if Betsy DeVos wants to dumb down America she won't have to break a sweat.
1058
Perfect summation.
16
Its attitudes like this that will ensure continued dominance of the Republican Party. Hillary ran a terrible campaign and was a terrible candidate. If the attention she paid to Hollywood celebrities had been focused instead on unemployed and underemployed workers in so called "fly-over" country she'd be President today.
The Democratic Party must show that it cares more about the lives of disabled coal miners in West Virginia than refugees from Syria. When it does that the electorate will follow.
The Democratic Party must show that it cares more about the lives of disabled coal miners in West Virginia than refugees from Syria. When it does that the electorate will follow.
3
My grandfather died at the age of 52 from black lung disease, and the answer would not have been more mines and less regulation. It's the Republican Party that is intent on cutting social programs, denying a living wage to people, keeping women "in their place" (whatever that might be), defunding programs that provide child care, job training, a solid public education, access to health care, etc. Poor people (like my grandparents) are not what concerns most high-level Republicans. It's not the lives of the miners that drives their policies, it's whatever profits can be wrung from the mines.
33
The Roman emperors sustained their popularity with the populace for quite a long time by offering 'bread and circuses.' It's an open question whether Trump's policies will ever produce the bread, but the circus at least is in full swing.
259
There will be - bread - for big military (spending), big business, big ag, big oil and big mining (soon mining waste will be dumped in streams, destroying nature and the environment).
3
Someone better do something fast or we are all in the toilet.
56
Timothy Egan is one of those writers who I will read if he published a grocery list, and this column is a perfect example of why I read him consistently.
He lays everything out in a way that it makes perfect sense, but without losing any impact. He can not just expertly summarize the issue, but actually add to it while summarizing, and that is a very rare skill.
I seriously doubt much of the nation is actually paying close attention. This goat-rope is much more dangerous than many people can see. They still discuss events as if they were just slightly askew, instead of amazingly insane.
Compare Trump to any president except GWB, and you see how far our quality control has fallen. This so-called person cannot speak a simple sentence without becoming completely incoherent, and THAT is not acceptable in any way, shape or form for a US president.
Go ahead and defend him. The we will know for sure who is a true American and who is a fan of the Cult of Personality.
He lays everything out in a way that it makes perfect sense, but without losing any impact. He can not just expertly summarize the issue, but actually add to it while summarizing, and that is a very rare skill.
I seriously doubt much of the nation is actually paying close attention. This goat-rope is much more dangerous than many people can see. They still discuss events as if they were just slightly askew, instead of amazingly insane.
Compare Trump to any president except GWB, and you see how far our quality control has fallen. This so-called person cannot speak a simple sentence without becoming completely incoherent, and THAT is not acceptable in any way, shape or form for a US president.
Go ahead and defend him. The we will know for sure who is a true American and who is a fan of the Cult of Personality.
390
In contrast I read Egan to see whether his weekly rant is either more or less fervent than Blow or Krugman. This one is level headed and thus in some respect disappointing. Having been out of reach of news for almost two weeks I find his summary useful.
"This so-called person cannot speak a simple sentence without becoming completely incoherent, and THAT is not acceptable in any way, shape or form for a US president."
Unfortunately, this so called president has installed a Secretary of Education cut in his mold. Thus he has ensured that "completely incoherent" will be the new standard by which we judge the effectiveness of our schools.
Unfortunately, this so called president has installed a Secretary of Education cut in his mold. Thus he has ensured that "completely incoherent" will be the new standard by which we judge the effectiveness of our schools.
18
He's either delusional and actually believes the falsehoods spewing from his mouth, or he knows they are false which makes him a pathological liar.
Take your pick. Neither is good.
Take your pick. Neither is good.
431
I have learned that one person can do both. I once was in physical danger from a man who believed a lie which he had told a few months earlier. Trump is showing signs of the same madness.
1
What about both? In his lucid moments, he lies. At his times of lunacy, no need to lie.
DJT calls your employer the "failing" NYT. Given his superior comprehension skills, he must be correct. I demand you immediately release your subscription statistics and financial accounts for the world to see!
13
I'd say fine - as soon as he releases his tax returns.
4
Every time 45 tries to slime the NYT, their subscription numbers go up. Same for the WaPo. Like the man said, you can look it up.
6
Ah, don't despair - only 47 months and 3 days.
How about a general tax revolt. Money is the only thing they understand anyway.
How about a general tax revolt. Money is the only thing they understand anyway.
29
My report card for this administration ;
A+ for Audacity in lying to our faces daily
B- for Belligerence in continuing to lie in the face of the truth
C for Cruelty in deporting en masse and splitting apart families
D for Destruction of the American reputation around the world
E for Egregious acts of treason in collusion with Russia
F for giving us all the finger.
Obviously , a fail.
A+ for Audacity in lying to our faces daily
B- for Belligerence in continuing to lie in the face of the truth
C for Cruelty in deporting en masse and splitting apart families
D for Destruction of the American reputation around the world
E for Egregious acts of treason in collusion with Russia
F for giving us all the finger.
Obviously , a fail.
537
I don't know what G is for, but H is for hubris and that is always followed by nemesis. It's just a matter of time.
2
Sure, this administration is a "smooth-running machine". Just like the Edsel. Ugly, expensive, overhyped...and nobody's buying it.
233
Regrettably, almost one-half of the American electorate are buying it, David.
1
This is a perfect analogy!
The only positive thing I will ever credit 45 for is taking my blinders off towards the GOP. I voted for their candidates every election since 1992 and considered myself a moderate Republican until last summer.
Besides becoming ever frustrated over the years by the GOP's refusal to see same-sex marriage as a civil rights issue and a complete disregard towards our environment and factual science, with the election of 45 after the eventual complete support of the GOP establishment, I now renounce the Republican party. They have shown in multitudes of in-actions since last year that their self-interests are more important than the citizens they serve.
I can not wait until 2018 for the opportunity to fill in my ballot for the Democratic candidate in each race for the first time. (I'm ashamed to admit that last November, while I voted for Hillary, I gave the rest of the Republican's on my ballot my vote. It won't happen again.)
The only positive thing I will ever credit 45 for is taking my blinders off towards the GOP. I voted for their candidates every election since 1992 and considered myself a moderate Republican until last summer.
Besides becoming ever frustrated over the years by the GOP's refusal to see same-sex marriage as a civil rights issue and a complete disregard towards our environment and factual science, with the election of 45 after the eventual complete support of the GOP establishment, I now renounce the Republican party. They have shown in multitudes of in-actions since last year that their self-interests are more important than the citizens they serve.
I can not wait until 2018 for the opportunity to fill in my ballot for the Democratic candidate in each race for the first time. (I'm ashamed to admit that last November, while I voted for Hillary, I gave the rest of the Republican's on my ballot my vote. It won't happen again.)
5
The American electorate was in a coma last November when they chose this man to be their next president. Unlike Rip Van Winkle who slept through it all, we the people have to live with this nightmare of a presidency every day until either he goes away like a bad smell or Congress decides that enough is enough, which, at this point, doesn't seem likely.
The president said yesterday that he "inherited a mess" from his predecessors but he was clearly referencing President Obama in his petulant and peevish manner. If the 45th had one ounce of the character and decency of President Obama neither nor his administration be embroiled in dysfunction and, yes, anarchy. His ship of state is floundering badly and his description of his presidency operating as "a fine tuned machine" shows how delusional out of touch with reality he is.
A one-month report card for a student who hasn't even attended a class yet? How about an F for fraudulent? Like any truant who skips school, he's a delinquent who plays by his own rules. Congress should hold him accountable for his unfitness for the Oval Office.
The president said yesterday that he "inherited a mess" from his predecessors but he was clearly referencing President Obama in his petulant and peevish manner. If the 45th had one ounce of the character and decency of President Obama neither nor his administration be embroiled in dysfunction and, yes, anarchy. His ship of state is floundering badly and his description of his presidency operating as "a fine tuned machine" shows how delusional out of touch with reality he is.
A one-month report card for a student who hasn't even attended a class yet? How about an F for fraudulent? Like any truant who skips school, he's a delinquent who plays by his own rules. Congress should hold him accountable for his unfitness for the Oval Office.
279
We didn't elect him. He lost the popular vote.
13
'Congress should hold him accountable for his unfitness for the Oval Office.'
Silver, Congress is a failed institution and is not in a position to call anyone/anything unfit. The unfit cannot recognize unfit. Congress is likely the reason we have an unfit President.
Silver, Congress is a failed institution and is not in a position to call anyone/anything unfit. The unfit cannot recognize unfit. Congress is likely the reason we have an unfit President.
4
"I’m here today to update the American people on the incredible progress that has been made in the last four weeks since my inauguration. We have made incredible progress. I don’t think there’s ever been a president elected who in this short period of time has done what we’ve done."--Donald (Feb. 16, 2017)
"The Soviet government’s successes in the sphere of the collective-farm movement are now being spoken of by everyone. Even our enemies are forced to admit that the successes are substantial. And they really are very great." -Joseph Stalin (March 2, 1930)
"The Soviet government’s successes in the sphere of the collective-farm movement are now being spoken of by everyone. Even our enemies are forced to admit that the successes are substantial. And they really are very great." -Joseph Stalin (March 2, 1930)
658
Thank you. What a clear and frightening parallel.
14
"Donald Trump keeps bragging about his Electoral College victory."
Well yes, that's literally the only thing he's achieved so far that he can be proud of. He hasn't really had time to do anything about jobs, even if he had the team in place he needs. His Muslim ban got overturned quickly, he's possibly realized that the wall he'd promised isn't going to happen, he's probably realized he can't handle the job (it involves actually working, SAD!) and people are gossiping about how he's basically a 70 year old toddler that needs to be carefully handled. His presidential reality show is less "President Trump is the greatest president ever!" than "Crazy/Incompetant comedic sociopath leader."
Well yes, that's literally the only thing he's achieved so far that he can be proud of. He hasn't really had time to do anything about jobs, even if he had the team in place he needs. His Muslim ban got overturned quickly, he's possibly realized that the wall he'd promised isn't going to happen, he's probably realized he can't handle the job (it involves actually working, SAD!) and people are gossiping about how he's basically a 70 year old toddler that needs to be carefully handled. His presidential reality show is less "President Trump is the greatest president ever!" than "Crazy/Incompetant comedic sociopath leader."
206
“I don’t think there’s ever been a president elected who in this short period of time has done what we’ve done.”
The problem, Mr. Egan, is that Donald Trump believes this and what he mentioned and listed in yesterday's press conference.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/02/16/remarks-president...
Your point of view of is just false news, information and interpretation.
The problem, Mr. Egan, is that Donald Trump believes this and what he mentioned and listed in yesterday's press conference.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/02/16/remarks-president...
Your point of view of is just false news, information and interpretation.
18
Our long national nightmare is just getting warmed up.
168
The only time our democracy is safe is when DJT is asleep - and Bannon, too.
148
You have the name order wrong. Bannon should come first.
14
The one thing Trump arguably got right during the election was playing the media to get himself elected, but if he can't even get that right now that he is elected means he has pretty much failed everything.
70
Mr. Trump is barking mad. Like Billy PIlgrim he is stuck in time.
You are the President, try acting like one
Still trying to justify the coverup. Lies a lot too.
You are the President, try acting like one
Still trying to justify the coverup. Lies a lot too.
54
What a gazetteer of 30 days in office for the inheritor-of-a-mess-in-chief, Mr. Egan!
What struck me most forcefully was his response to a reporter who (maybe risked his life???) told the vulgar vulva-grabber-in-chief that his "electoral victory" was, in fact, far from record-breaking: "well, those were the facts I was given." My mind flashed to Barack Obama who, of course, being a reader and student of history, would have known precisely where his electoral margins of victory lay on the national presidential score card. That is, if it were really important which, to No. 45, seems to be the tail of the dog that he can't quite catch, chase it though he does with alarming frequency while his administration (and the nation) treads water. Hey! Aren't those dorsal fins circling us as we wait for a rescue?
It absolutely beggars the imagination (mine, anyway) what Trump Nation actually thought and felt a mere half-year ago as the final sprint to Nov. 8th officially began. Did they envision a competent, confident leader who picked up the reins of a third-rate nation, one led by a foreign-born usurper, a Socialist who attempted to force upon a Christian nation the quaint notion of health care for all? Did they fantasize about a president who would grab allies by the throat and threaten to send in the armed forces to deal with "bad hombres" and "drug dealers and rapists?" Or how about steadfast Australia getting one across the chops?
No, Mr. Egan, we're in a four-year-long coma.
What struck me most forcefully was his response to a reporter who (maybe risked his life???) told the vulgar vulva-grabber-in-chief that his "electoral victory" was, in fact, far from record-breaking: "well, those were the facts I was given." My mind flashed to Barack Obama who, of course, being a reader and student of history, would have known precisely where his electoral margins of victory lay on the national presidential score card. That is, if it were really important which, to No. 45, seems to be the tail of the dog that he can't quite catch, chase it though he does with alarming frequency while his administration (and the nation) treads water. Hey! Aren't those dorsal fins circling us as we wait for a rescue?
It absolutely beggars the imagination (mine, anyway) what Trump Nation actually thought and felt a mere half-year ago as the final sprint to Nov. 8th officially began. Did they envision a competent, confident leader who picked up the reins of a third-rate nation, one led by a foreign-born usurper, a Socialist who attempted to force upon a Christian nation the quaint notion of health care for all? Did they fantasize about a president who would grab allies by the throat and threaten to send in the armed forces to deal with "bad hombres" and "drug dealers and rapists?" Or how about steadfast Australia getting one across the chops?
No, Mr. Egan, we're in a four-year-long coma.
180
"Well, those were the facts I was given."
When I heard that line, this is what I thought: Trump is "told" the Russians have launched ICBMs against U.S. targets, so he acts bold and decisively and immediately orders a counterattack. Turns out he was told wrong and millions die. When called to account for his action, Trump replies, "Well, those were the facts I was given."
When I heard that line, this is what I thought: Trump is "told" the Russians have launched ICBMs against U.S. targets, so he acts bold and decisively and immediately orders a counterattack. Turns out he was told wrong and millions die. When called to account for his action, Trump replies, "Well, those were the facts I was given."
37
The capper on the electoral margin issue came when Trump asked the reporter, "you do agree that it was a great victory don't you?" There did not seem to be a response."
And the remarkable silence that followed his declaration that his presidency was a "fine tuned machine" was the sound of a roomful of well-informed journalists stifling hysterical laughter.
And the remarkable silence that followed his declaration that his presidency was a "fine tuned machine" was the sound of a roomful of well-informed journalists stifling hysterical laughter.
10
The reporter responded by saying "you're the President"
1
This column doesn't appear to be more than slapping your self on the forehead. I'm sympathetic, but just expressing that you are gobsmacked doesn't offer much help here. Perhaps using a little of that West Coast ingenuity and imagining ways we might proceed?
15
My fear is that this state of affairs will become a kind of new normal with tacit acceptance that this is now the way things are. Seeing this list in one concentrated block is truly shocking and hopefully help guard against that. How we proceed? What do YOU suggest?
9
The way to proceed is to convince House and Senate Republicans he is a political liability and that unless they start investigating him, which will result in his impeachment, many may be out of a job come the midterms in 2018.
5