All this may be true, but to Trump's supports the main questions is "When will he bring back coal?"
183
You nailed it on the head, the word Buffoonish president says it all.
125
Trump see the presidency as a "Side Hustle". He does not have the time nor intelligence to learn. He still wants to be CEO of Trump world first.
132
The result of leading from behind for 8 years.
37
Trump has only been in office for less than 3 months, but it seems like years. With his failure to fill his sub-cabinet positions, his appointment of someone with no diplomatic experience to the State Department, and then essentially sidelining him, our career civilian staff and military must be reeling - no guidance, no leadership, no plan. No one knows if Mr. Trump is all bluster, or whether he will do something drastic with unknown consequences. Meanwhile, Congress sits on it's hands and does nothing as well. If we aren't in a war by the end of the year I will be amazed. I find myself more and more unsettled and uneasy about what the near term holds.
203
This is a man consumed with his own wealth and image. Constructing policy or solutions for pressing crises aren't given the same gravitas as planning the next taxpayer-funded weekend at Mar-a-Lago.
He never really wanted the presidency, only the prestige...
...and the enrichment of the Trump brand.
He never really wanted the presidency, only the prestige...
...and the enrichment of the Trump brand.
190
Stopped in a convenience store the other day, wearing my "New Zealand" hoodie (an All Blacks fan). Clerk asked if I was from there. I answered "no", but that's where I'm going when the "Shooting" (i.e. nukes) starts. I thought I was joking -- at the time.
72
"Beyond embarrassing, mortifying, terrifying," are my emotions when listening to President Trump, especially when he is standing next to an articulate, knowledgeable foreign leader, but also when observing the hideous machinations of our totally dysfunctional U.S. congress.
178
The fake failing so-called president will soon have his first real opportunity to kill hundreds of millions in Armageddon.
Trump has made his intents clear while his secretary of state says he has no further comments to make to North Korea signalling an end to the pre-war state.
No one in the Trump clown show is undertaking the elementary diplomacy of seeing things from the enemy's point of view.
Bruce Cumings has a good outline of the NK viewpoint in the current Nation, a 70 year history of hostilities with the US employing Japanese war criminals. In 1994 the North Koreans froze plutonium production and agreed to sell their stockpile of long-range missiles.
Bush administration sanctions brought suffering and villification.
For national existence and deterrence of the enemy the North Koreans have built one of the world's largest armies with thousands of artillery pieces targetting Seoul and 200,000 well trained special forces.
If Trump is foolhardy enough to try significant military action the escalation could end in worldwide nuclear winter.
Trump has made his intents clear while his secretary of state says he has no further comments to make to North Korea signalling an end to the pre-war state.
No one in the Trump clown show is undertaking the elementary diplomacy of seeing things from the enemy's point of view.
Bruce Cumings has a good outline of the NK viewpoint in the current Nation, a 70 year history of hostilities with the US employing Japanese war criminals. In 1994 the North Koreans froze plutonium production and agreed to sell their stockpile of long-range missiles.
Bush administration sanctions brought suffering and villification.
For national existence and deterrence of the enemy the North Koreans have built one of the world's largest armies with thousands of artillery pieces targetting Seoul and 200,000 well trained special forces.
If Trump is foolhardy enough to try significant military action the escalation could end in worldwide nuclear winter.
46
This is beyond terrifying to have this man as the elected leader of the free world. It was unimaginable that he be elected. But he did get elected. I still can't believe it. And like another reader commented, I've turned away from politics. I don't believe we have anyone in either the White House or the House or Senate that has the balls to stand up to this mess and say the emperor has no clothes. We have imbeciles in the White House and throughout Congress. Can no one save us? Perhaps it's time we all stood together and said "ENOUGH!" The current situation simply cannot stand. The question is, how long must we wait?
161
Reflecting on the some of the circumstances that brought the U.S into WWI, one was the so-called Zimmerman Cable; this proposed an alliance between Germany and Mexico, suggesting a potential war with the U.S. could offer recovery of Mexican lands previously seized in the brutally waged Mexican American War of 1846-48.
As Trump and his followers continue to offend and insult our contemporary allies -- including Mexico -- I can easily imagine Russia or China courting Mexico for strategic, geo-political reasons including trade.
Aside from his go-it-alone / isolationist dreams, Trump's mindless drift toward the existential abyss may well create surprising power shifts that could make the Cuban Missile Crisis look benign in contrast.
One can only hope wiser/cooler heads at the UN can help reign-in Team Trump by modeling and enforcing wise and effective, multilateral restraints.
As Trump and his followers continue to offend and insult our contemporary allies -- including Mexico -- I can easily imagine Russia or China courting Mexico for strategic, geo-political reasons including trade.
Aside from his go-it-alone / isolationist dreams, Trump's mindless drift toward the existential abyss may well create surprising power shifts that could make the Cuban Missile Crisis look benign in contrast.
One can only hope wiser/cooler heads at the UN can help reign-in Team Trump by modeling and enforcing wise and effective, multilateral restraints.
51
Reading Charles M. Blow every week keeps me from going insane.
178
His comments on Syria only managed to put his own narcissism on display. He managed to make the issue all about him, his "flexibility", his outrage and his pretense of a response.
124
The North Koreans are provoking us into war with a barrage of missile tests (with the obvious backing of China). Assad is provoking us into a war with a chemical attack (with the obvious backing of Russia). Meanwhile the Russians did a great job of coopting our political process so that we now have a completely unqualified person as "leader" of the free world. Under Trump, we have alienated many of our allies, we are divided internally, and we are distracted with the petty political machinations of Mitch McConnell and the ineptitude of Paul Ryan. Remember a time when people used to worry about a Communist China and USSR getting on the same side and doing us in for good? Maybe there is a bigger plan here to destroy us--by dragging us into wars we cannot win and weakening us from the inside.
109
Congress is our only hope, and it is hopeless.
The whole concept of "checks and balances" has been completely redefined. Donors write the checks and Congressman check their balances.
The whole concept of "checks and balances" has been completely redefined. Donors write the checks and Congressman check their balances.
141
Perhaps HE is a CYLON. Only plausible reaction to his " policies ", actions ,
Speeches and tweets. A human-like , defective machine.
Speeches and tweets. A human-like , defective machine.
25
I don’t believe that most Americans themselves know whether they want to take these issues head-on, or find a way to keep putting things off. Bush and Obama demonstrated the weaknesses of both approaches. Trump has to find his own way.
11
Is anyone surprised? Did anyone not see this coming? I feel I must personally thank the Republican party for this embarrassing moment in our history. A party I might add that can never again claim any patriotic rights; that has abdicated any claim to the moral high ground; that has demonstrated to the world it cares nothing about it's own countrymen, let alone citizens of other nations whose cooperation is paramount for world peace.
It is easy to write about Trump. The man is exactly who Hillary Clinton claimed him to be. He is exactly who we saw for two years before he took over. The danger lies in the Republican party refusing to take action to prevent any of this. Refusing to even acknowledge the danger. Supporting through their silence, a moron heading towards perdition as he drags our once proud nation into the gutter of ill-repute.
It is easy to write about Trump. The man is exactly who Hillary Clinton claimed him to be. He is exactly who we saw for two years before he took over. The danger lies in the Republican party refusing to take action to prevent any of this. Refusing to even acknowledge the danger. Supporting through their silence, a moron heading towards perdition as he drags our once proud nation into the gutter of ill-repute.
181
One of the thoughts that scares me most is this: what if what Putin really wants is a full-scale war? What if he's willing to go all in backing Assad in the hope that we will go all in backing the nebulous "rebels" and he can then justify seizing more territory?
18
I used to sleep well at night knowing Obama was in the White House. I may not have agreed with everything he said or did but I knew that he knew what he was doing, had a good staff of professionals and took the time to study all sides of an issue and was well informed. It was also very clear he was an adult and put the country's welfare first.
Now the clowns have come to town and I wonder what the morning headline will be and how long before we're engaged in a senseless skirmish brought on by an ignorant fool who doesn't realize how anything in the world is connected and who thinks when he finally realizes some well known fact or history that he invented it.
A fool in the White House who doesn't represent well to the country or the world is trouble brewing.
I want to sleep well at night not sleep permanently because of some idiot who is ill informed, thinks he knows better and has an out of control ego making a rash move that endangers us all.
And no, having the son in law be the stand in president doesn't make me feel better.
Now the clowns have come to town and I wonder what the morning headline will be and how long before we're engaged in a senseless skirmish brought on by an ignorant fool who doesn't realize how anything in the world is connected and who thinks when he finally realizes some well known fact or history that he invented it.
A fool in the White House who doesn't represent well to the country or the world is trouble brewing.
I want to sleep well at night not sleep permanently because of some idiot who is ill informed, thinks he knows better and has an out of control ego making a rash move that endangers us all.
And no, having the son in law be the stand in president doesn't make me feel better.
166
Unfortunately, history is replete with demagogues who consolidated power by using war to stoke nationalism and fear. Maybe it will be different this time. Maybe Trump is better than that.
Maybe.
Maybe.
11
Trump is but a mirror of American ignorance. Those who continually criticize the president and argue that he does not represent our values are naive. Democratic politics has always included the manipulation of the less informed by powerful interests.
Movement towards diversity, equality, and tolerance have taken decades and progressed in fits and starts. The question remains not if, but how far backwards will we slide in the next 4 years. Military conflict supported by weak minded patriots can only make things worse.
Trump is what an arrogant ignorant country deserves. A little excitement after Obama.
Movement towards diversity, equality, and tolerance have taken decades and progressed in fits and starts. The question remains not if, but how far backwards will we slide in the next 4 years. Military conflict supported by weak minded patriots can only make things worse.
Trump is what an arrogant ignorant country deserves. A little excitement after Obama.
38
The interview transcript with the president and the Times reporters was horrifying. Trump makes little sense. He is inarticulate and unable to focus. Plus he's totally unschooled in his affairs of state or most anything else except repeating over and over that he's wonderful. No, he is not. He should not be in office and Congress better recognize this before he does something to get us all killed. Further I blame the media, including the NYTs news reporters for playing the election as if it were a horse race than a fight for our democracy. Thank heavens for the editorial side of the Times, which at least saw more wisely than their reporter brothers and sisters, who didn't seem to know that the role of journalism is to hold power accountable, not to give voice to false equivalents.
101
Like him or not, this sort of acidic commentary achieves nothing. We all worry about financial crises. Only the most myopic among us diminish the president out of personality conflict before the hypotheticals become factual scenarios. If you want cult of personality, keep on. I'd prefer to think whatever my partisan position that President Trump has nothing material left to sell and possesses some of the best traits of New York City in him, if we're going to reduce it to that.
7
..nor could they be anyone in the past, right?
Lower your expectations... or hypocrisy, you might be pleasantly surprised, people.
Lower your expectations... or hypocrisy, you might be pleasantly surprised, people.
5
Yes, he's a buffoon. But that's not the worst of the danger. Trump is a classic Authoritarian which means he will do whatever he thinks consolidates his power. He new nothing about Syria or North Korea, but that matters not to Trump. It's after he sees an authoritarian purpose to an action, that he will move.
History has shown over and over that military action rallies populations to authoritarian thinking. He will do exactly that when he thinks he's ready for that boost and something like Syria or North Korea pops up. My guess is within a couple months. When that happens, and it will, look for the government to pass laws consolidating even more power behind Trump.
We are a nation divided and half of us want a war to consolidate an authoritarian. Half us us are no longer thinking. And you have the darkest authoritarian actors yet in the White House and Congress and soon throughout the rest of government. Please st op watching and protest now, before it's too late!
History has shown over and over that military action rallies populations to authoritarian thinking. He will do exactly that when he thinks he's ready for that boost and something like Syria or North Korea pops up. My guess is within a couple months. When that happens, and it will, look for the government to pass laws consolidating even more power behind Trump.
We are a nation divided and half of us want a war to consolidate an authoritarian. Half us us are no longer thinking. And you have the darkest authoritarian actors yet in the White House and Congress and soon throughout the rest of government. Please st op watching and protest now, before it's too late!
28
As democracy is perfected, the office of the President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be occupied by a downright fool and a complete narcissistic moron."
H. L. Mencken. The Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920
And it has happened. H. L. must have been psychic.
H. L. Mencken. The Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920
And it has happened. H. L. must have been psychic.
73
I keep going back to Oct 1963, was Kennedy going to listen
To General LaMay ............Lucky for us he did not.
Can you imagine the present Commander in Chief in this situation
To General LaMay ............Lucky for us he did not.
Can you imagine the present Commander in Chief in this situation
14
The man in the White House is mentally ill. The sooner responsible leaders in government understand this and take meaningful constitutional steps to remove him--even if they are unprecedented--the better. The Republic and world peace hang in the balance.
57
I have thought until recently that Trump had the capacity to become more knowledgeable about the nation all and international issues important to our country. Reading transcripts of news conference, reading his tweets, has convinced me he is incoherent, maybe drunk a lot, maybe high a lot, maybe has some brain atrophy, or psychiatric disorder, but incapacitated. I can't imagine a coherent conversation between he and China's president Xi. I just feel lost.
36
Ego is the sole reason he's in office. He never even expected to win; no one did! Now he's got the keys and we're all strapped in for a ride. Thanks, Democratic Party. You really called that one.
6
Once they've installed their choice in Judge Garland's seat, do you think they will figure they've gotten all the usefulness they can out of a President Trump, and will be ready to move on?
12
Frankly, I think that it is only a matter of time before the Russians, the North Koreans or ISIS take advantage of our disarray and topple a deeply wounded and deeply troubled America. Thank you, Trump people, for all of your help in finishing us off. You wanted a fascist regime? Well, you're going to have one, and it won't be pretty, and it won't be the GOP or Trump at the helm.
37
Nothing to worry about Mr Blow. Jared 'Superman' Kushner will solve all the crisis you mentioned in this article, after he is done with China, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, etc...
25
There is no solution to this mess in the Constitution or politically. We are just going to have to ride this to the bottom. Trump could declare that he has no idea what he is doing, that he has no intention of doing anything for working people, that his only interest is money, that his only goal is to keep himself, the Republican Party and big business in power, and that he has no plan secret or otherwise about anything and it would not make one bit of difference. There is no "do over" in the Constitution. There will be no proof that he actually committed a crime; the Republicans will never impeach him; Pence will not trigger the 25th Amendment and even if he did anyone in the cabinet who looks like he might vote against Trump will be removed before he ever gets a chance to cast the vote. Blow is right, but what good does it do?
25
.
Trump is fooling no one. And I won't even add the disclaimer "except his supporters," because I no longer believe it. I believe they, too, can see what a stumbling fool Trump is, but they're still too embarrassed to admit they were duped by The Con Man.
.
Trump is fooling no one. And I won't even add the disclaimer "except his supporters," because I no longer believe it. I believe they, too, can see what a stumbling fool Trump is, but they're still too embarrassed to admit they were duped by The Con Man.
.
34
I believe you are right, Mr. Edwards - he is fooling no one, including himself; but there is no clear way even from his perspective to hand off this responsibility to someone competent. Even if he were able to step back from his clannish view of organizational management and identify the truly experienced experts, the idea of ceding authority would violate his basic wiring. We need to do him as well as ourselves a favor in November 2018, by voting for a Congressional mandate for Executive Branch change while at the same time ensuring that he will have a soft landing. At this point I don't care if he and his family spend the rest of their lives moving back and forth between the silk sheets at Mar-a-Lago and the ones at Aspen. But we've got to save our country.
16
The usual empty rambling from Trump ... he is so transparently clueless.
“It was beyond embarrassing: It was mortifying. And it was terrifying.”
Yes, it was. No end in sight.
“It was beyond embarrassing: It was mortifying. And it was terrifying.”
Yes, it was. No end in sight.
41
Those who ignorantly voted for Trump all bear the responsibility of this and all of his failures to come. This is not the same as voting for someone like Reagan because you believed his damaging trickle-down economics would benefit you. This is about having voted for a tyrant and ignoramus who made it crystal clear that he would be the worst thing for our country--yet they voted for him as if they actually wished to see America damaged.
Seeing the suffering of these Syrian families breaks my heart! Trump supporters will get no help from me--no business from me--as long as I know who they are.
Seeing the suffering of these Syrian families breaks my heart! Trump supporters will get no help from me--no business from me--as long as I know who they are.
42
Don the Con is fully living up to expectations.
And it's frightening.
And it's frightening.
24
The entire world is strapped into the back seat of a clown car that Trump is driving toward the cliff. What could go wrong?
40
This all reminds me of the movie Galaxy Quest, in which an alien race recruits a crew of Star Trek-esque actors to fight another evil alien race, after having intercepted their TV broadcasts and assuming their heroic feats were real.
There is one scene where the spacecraft is being bombarded by incoming fire and all eyes are on the totally unqualified human crew, who have no idea what to do.
Unfortunately, this is real life and we are running out of time for our actors to figure out what to do...
There is one scene where the spacecraft is being bombarded by incoming fire and all eyes are on the totally unqualified human crew, who have no idea what to do.
Unfortunately, this is real life and we are running out of time for our actors to figure out what to do...
11
Peeling back the layers of Trump's ignorance reveals the truth that so many of us feared -- he truly does not know what he is doing, does not seem to care, but nonetheless wants to be perceived as tough and decisive. It is not unreasonable to dread that he may take irrevocable action against North Korea (or some other country which he finds annoying) simply because he wants to play with his toy soldiers. The Republican Congresspeople who continue to ignore and enable this reckless behavior are cowards. We need patriots, but there are few in sight.
36
Syria's chemical attack this week crossed a lot of lines for Trump, but didn't back in 2013, when he tweeted advice to Obama on this very subject?
The world no longer has time for Trump's learning curve, which moves at the speed of a glacier.
The world no longer has time for Trump's learning curve, which moves at the speed of a glacier.
22
What worries me the most is that as the Russian investigation turns up more problems for Trump and his administration, he will use the ultimate distraction that could be used; war. In Trump's mentally ill mind, it would both distract from the investigation and feed his despotic ego to appear to be a strongman. That is what is keeping me up at nights.
43
Americans who are willing to vote Democrat need to be ready to vote for a middle of the road, or even light-right candidate, the party manages to agree upon. Otherwise, after 2020, we may not be able to recover. The US didn't properly recover from the Great Depression until after WWII. We have a new government intent on making economic war on its friends and making love to it's enemies. I wonder if there is anything left after Democratic candidates have so effectively alienated many voters that they no longer even consider the party of FDR as a reasonable choice at the polls.
Its past time to abandon all the far out edgy issues relating to tiny but loud identity groups, gender preferences and make a play to return to the middle of the road-and it is needed that blue state voters realize this is in all our best interests.
Its past time to abandon all the far out edgy issues relating to tiny but loud identity groups, gender preferences and make a play to return to the middle of the road-and it is needed that blue state voters realize this is in all our best interests.
14
We are dependent on advisers to run the country and make important decisions as we were in the late part of Reagan's second term. It is scary
2
Republicans - when at long last will you act! When will the danger be too high for you? For goodness sake, you can get your agenda and appease your donors with Pence. Please for the safety of us all - act now! If not Ryan, McConnelll, McCain, Cruz, Rubio, Nunes, King, Gowdy, etc. etc., as well as Comey will go down in the history books as traitors and the reason for the chaos of the world.
37
It is Christmas for the Republicans, with Trump fulfilling every whim on their wish list, charging full speed into the past where there are no regulations to rein in corporate greed. The congressional Repubs are far too venal and corrupt to care how Trump wrecks the world as long as they can promise higher profits and lower taxes to their corporate masters.
37
The draft-dodger in chief returns salutes with not so much of a hint of an appreciation of irony. He is now posturing on a world stage dominated by murderous creeps in Moscow, Pyongyang and Damascus with that same, wholly characteristic inability to understand anything. PS please keep Farage.
14
This is awful. Our so-called president is a wannabee strong man, and is now playing soldier in the Middle East with real, honest-to-God strong men. If it is true that "fools rush in where angels fear to tread", we're about to be in for a very bad time.
31
Hopefully Trump will not be suckered into the Syrian Civil War.
The neighbors in the region show little concern so the US should steer well clear. US involvement will result in more people hating us and US blood being shed.
The neighbors in the region show little concern so the US should steer well clear. US involvement will result in more people hating us and US blood being shed.
9
Ok, but for God's sake could we allow the innocent people being slaughtered to find safe haven here in the USA? If we turn them away we are complicit in their deaths.
25
Trump does not have a sustaining policy towards China or North Korea. With China, Trump will blurt out some threatening statement for which he has no basis of fact. Maybe he will have gotten some advice from his cabinet, maybe not. We have not gotten a report from him on his meetings-to-date with other Heads-of-State except for what those Heads reported later. China will do nothing with North Korea because there is nothing to benefit them. They will keep North Korea's actions in their back pockets until they need some concession in trade or the South China Sea or whatever suits them. This time around Trump will get nothing on North Korea because he doesn't have anything to bargain with except his import tax threat which will backfire. There is much at stake here with these meetings and let's hope we don't lose too badly.
6
It's quite likely that a lay person could know more about global issues than President Trump simply by watching several episodes of Frontline. His inability to speak with any intelligence about international threats, often providing tangential or completely unrelated answers to important questions, serves as proof of his embraced ignorance. It would not surprise me in the least if Trump we're unable to distinguish between Sunni and Shia Islam or be able to point out Yemen, Pakistan, or North Korea on a map.
30
Trump has no time to learn such trivial things as details. He is too busy making America great again. Oh yeah, and playing golf in Florida.
23
Trump makes Hugo Chavez look articulate and organized by comparison. Our elected president. Most nightmares, you wake up.
Not this one.
Not this one.
26
I wouldn't be surprised if the reason he flip flopped on Assad is because he is getting ready to send troops to Syria so that the growing evidence of his collusion with Russia will no longer be the biggest story in the news. Besides, with an approval rating in the mid thirties he is desperate to do whatever it takes to increase his numbers.
19
And his base will become cannon fodder.
12
Yes, the thought of Trump addressing the dynamic, labile international waters we currently find ourselves in is terrifying. His abject ignorance of current events, geopolitical alliances and his refusal or inability to learn should really make anyone at least nervous about our current situation.
Trump's repeated refrain that he inherited "a mess" is just laughable. Former president Obama actually inherited a real mess. He inherited an economy in free fall the worse since the great depression, he inherited an economy with tens of thousands of job losses monthly, he inherited a 2 front war situation. Yes , we have problems today but to continue to go on about inheriting a mess just shows he is unworthy of the privilege of running this country. Trump inherited a growing economy/positive job growth for over 20 months etc.. Yes I agree Syria and North Korea are issues and they could have been handled better but I doubt Trump will handle them in a competent manner if we use his recent history as a measure.
For the sake of our country I hope Trump can rise to the challenge and resolve these situations in a competent manner that do not involve putting American boots on foreign soil but this appears doubtful. Based on his records I do not have confidence in his abilities.
Trump's repeated refrain that he inherited "a mess" is just laughable. Former president Obama actually inherited a real mess. He inherited an economy in free fall the worse since the great depression, he inherited an economy with tens of thousands of job losses monthly, he inherited a 2 front war situation. Yes , we have problems today but to continue to go on about inheriting a mess just shows he is unworthy of the privilege of running this country. Trump inherited a growing economy/positive job growth for over 20 months etc.. Yes I agree Syria and North Korea are issues and they could have been handled better but I doubt Trump will handle them in a competent manner if we use his recent history as a measure.
For the sake of our country I hope Trump can rise to the challenge and resolve these situations in a competent manner that do not involve putting American boots on foreign soil but this appears doubtful. Based on his records I do not have confidence in his abilities.
12
We're at full throttle not just creeping. Even if by some miracle the gold plated cheeto is removed from office, show me the republican replacement that's highly likely to handle crisis well.
I've tried to explain some this country's predicament to my kids and think I failed. My heart's not in it, I think we're on a path to a very different future where all the old platitudes and reasons are meaningless. Children respond to hope, positive outlooks, ideas for a brighter future. I'll be darned if I can imagine that in my lifetime.
Logic doesn't convince religion, so I can't impact trump voters. And for trump to suddenly "change his mind" for exactly the same kind of evidence that's been available for many years and prompted Obama's positions, which trump has of course been on both sides of, proves the point of how hopeless it is to think he can handle a crisis. I don't think he can handle breakfast menu selections.
I've tried to explain some this country's predicament to my kids and think I failed. My heart's not in it, I think we're on a path to a very different future where all the old platitudes and reasons are meaningless. Children respond to hope, positive outlooks, ideas for a brighter future. I'll be darned if I can imagine that in my lifetime.
Logic doesn't convince religion, so I can't impact trump voters. And for trump to suddenly "change his mind" for exactly the same kind of evidence that's been available for many years and prompted Obama's positions, which trump has of course been on both sides of, proves the point of how hopeless it is to think he can handle a crisis. I don't think he can handle breakfast menu selections.
16
Yes, we are now fast approaching danger, deep and real danger. With his approval rating now at 35%, his domestic agenda in shambles, and an investigation turning serious, trump needs the ultimate diversion - War.
War, in trump's convoluted thought process, may offer him a way to become perceived as the ultimate global leader... tough, smart, fearless, commander of the military, the equal of Putin. War is a way to put his current problems out of the world's eye, it's the ultimate diversion. War appeals to his enormous ego. Plus, in War, his Generals have to do all the thinking.
Syria's Assad used horrific chemical weapons recently, and this is the perfect excuse for an all out attack on Aleppo. In his mind, trump can rid the world of a heinous dictator, defeat ISIS, and save innocent children. He thus gains the adoration of not just his base supporters, but of the entire world. And for trump, in the final analysis, adoration is what it's all about.
trump won't think this through any further than to bask in the glow of a fantasized victory, while convincing himself that if it doesn't work, he can blame the Generals.
I watch and wait, fearfully.
War, in trump's convoluted thought process, may offer him a way to become perceived as the ultimate global leader... tough, smart, fearless, commander of the military, the equal of Putin. War is a way to put his current problems out of the world's eye, it's the ultimate diversion. War appeals to his enormous ego. Plus, in War, his Generals have to do all the thinking.
Syria's Assad used horrific chemical weapons recently, and this is the perfect excuse for an all out attack on Aleppo. In his mind, trump can rid the world of a heinous dictator, defeat ISIS, and save innocent children. He thus gains the adoration of not just his base supporters, but of the entire world. And for trump, in the final analysis, adoration is what it's all about.
trump won't think this through any further than to bask in the glow of a fantasized victory, while convincing himself that if it doesn't work, he can blame the Generals.
I watch and wait, fearfully.
16
A travel agent in France expressed her lack of comprehension of Americans' passive acceptance of the Trump catastrophe. Religious discrimination -- check. Racist policies towards Hispanics and Mideasterners -- check. And even the invasion of ordinary citizens' privacy in demanding social media passwords -- or else-- check.
In the end, I have zero pity for what happens to the American people as a result of Donald Trump's rise to power. Neither the French nor even the British would have accepted so much injustice in the (long) few months Trump has been 'president'.
In the end, I have zero pity for what happens to the American people as a result of Donald Trump's rise to power. Neither the French nor even the British would have accepted so much injustice in the (long) few months Trump has been 'president'.
13
Most of us voted against him.
19
Those of us who opposed this clown have fallen victim to the outdated electoral college system. Most of the populace are against him and are preparing for 2018 .
20
@AE
Thinking that all Americans voted for Trump, is the same as all Americans thinking that all the French will vote for LePen.
Google "Electoral College".
That's the only reason he won.
Thinking that all Americans voted for Trump, is the same as all Americans thinking that all the French will vote for LePen.
Google "Electoral College".
That's the only reason he won.
7
Of course Trump had no cogent response to the reporter's questions monkey strategic matters.
He has to wait till he heard what O'Reilly, Hannity and those "Slouches on Couches" on Fox&Friends have to say....
He has to wait till he heard what O'Reilly, Hannity and those "Slouches on Couches" on Fox&Friends have to say....
13
I've often wondered when the next global conflict will begin. In my opinion, (and I could be wrong) but I think that it is not a matter of if, its a matter of when, in terms of the next global war, or WW3, if you will. It seems like we just might be witnessing the beginning, and the laying of the groundwork for the next global catastrophe.
Maybe its good thing that I've got an anxiety disorder, because it may spare me from being drafted into this next unspeakably awful conflict that will occur soon. However, I fear that even that won't be enough. The Trump administration will probably take the risk because far be it from these ignoramuses to rationally think through these kinds of things. As long as it advances their interests and spares theme the luxury of having to admit any kind of guilt or personal accountability, they will alway take the "ready, fire, aim" approach.
Maybe its good thing that I've got an anxiety disorder, because it may spare me from being drafted into this next unspeakably awful conflict that will occur soon. However, I fear that even that won't be enough. The Trump administration will probably take the risk because far be it from these ignoramuses to rationally think through these kinds of things. As long as it advances their interests and spares theme the luxury of having to admit any kind of guilt or personal accountability, they will alway take the "ready, fire, aim" approach.
6
Besides all that....ain't America Great Again???
6
I have never been so scared for our mere existence on this planet. Tiny Hands' arrogance, ignorance, thoughtless ineptitude, stupidity is beyond appalling. He has surrounded himself with people like Robert Mercer who think the Japanese are healthier after having atomic bombs dropped on them, and that most people in the US will be perfectly fine should a nuclear war break out on our soil. We have a megalomaniac psycho running the country with his crazy friends and family. Something needs to be done.
12
I felt embarrassed for poor King Abdullah II, having to appear on the same stage as this native English speaker, knowing his command of English grammar and vocabulary to be far superior to that of the American leader, wondering how a nation with an ostensibly informed electorate can come to this point, and how he can limit the damage of having to be seen with the likes of "one-state" Trump.
11
Donald J. Trump is lost on international relationships. His bluster and past actions show he has no idea about give and take relationships. All he sees are winners and losers. The state department is not getting the respect it deserves. The military has been cut loose as long as it "does not mess up". The 3 letter agencies are essentially in open war with the whitehouse. Trump has no intelligence and no experience with managing international relationships.
The BOOM is coming.
The BOOM is coming.
7
The shallow, nothing responses to significant developments (tinged with surprise--"who knew?") clearly show the world that many people in this country have the kind of intelligence that votes for a complete ignoramus.
Trump realizes he's lost-- which is probably why he has anointed Young Jare as Head of...........Everything Trump Can't Wrap His Brain Around.
The sooner Trump decides (or gets "convinced") that his health is at risk, so must resign, the better off (safer) we will be.
Trump realizes he's lost-- which is probably why he has anointed Young Jare as Head of...........Everything Trump Can't Wrap His Brain Around.
The sooner Trump decides (or gets "convinced") that his health is at risk, so must resign, the better off (safer) we will be.
14
One of the many things I find so dangerous about Mr. Trump and his ignorance is that he thinks he can just snap his fingers and send American's in to fight for something he doesn't even understand -- these are American lives he's talking about -- asking them to sacrifice for his ignorance is just not tolerable on any level. Why should young men and women go to war and be maimed and killed for him, so he can say Mr. Obama didn't have a good policy. Every day I want to scream -- Wake up America -- something needs to be done -- his ignorance on so many levels is a danger to us all.
16
I'm seriously worried about Trump starting a nuclear war.
14
"All options are on the table" he says about North Korea. And I am sure he must be thinking 'smoke 'em if ya got 'em', not wanting to let expensive nuclear warheads go to 'waste' sitting idly in their silos.
3
I have had four diffent careers so far (age 82): highly skilled tradesman, academic, hi government, and independent businessman. Policy making level in government was without doubt the most difficult. Business was the easiest, especially as the bottom line gives a tangible measure of success. That was also true in the machine shop, where specifications are used to measure products. Measurement in academia is difficult if not impossible. Trump, refuted to be a successful businessman, has, without preparation or apprenticeship, taken on what may be the most difficult position in America.
His pronouncements and declarations are indicative of a many in a totally confused state, incapable of the planing and analysis of data necessary to make decisions in that office. If he has any capacity for introspection (doubtful) he should admit he is unqualified and resign.
His pronouncements and declarations are indicative of a many in a totally confused state, incapable of the planing and analysis of data necessary to make decisions in that office. If he has any capacity for introspection (doubtful) he should admit he is unqualified and resign.
14
Time for Trump to take a trip overseas to see what other presidents have in war torn countries. Smell the famine, disease, death and destruction. Not a golf course.
22
Yes to all your points, Mr. Blow. That said, we can stew endlessly in the perverse incompetence of it all and abandon all hope. Or we can step up as the faithful opposition rooted in affirmative values. The Constitution was born of the Enlightenment and conceived as a hydraulic machine for distributing political power among the three branches and their component parts and persons, with the goal of advancing rational collective action - "policy" - addressing the needs of all the people. Our leaders' interests lie in reelection: this is our access to the levers of political influence. The Constitution's first three words, "We the People," are key: the fathers believed that citizens, well-organized, are the bellows delivering the energy that ultimately drives the whole system. The place of last resort for constraining a damaging consolidation of power of the kind we have now is the capacity of people to organize well. That means focusing not just on the crazy conduct of Trump and crowd but primarily on advancing the values at the heart of the American idea - openness to all persons deserving to be treated with dignity, unstinting commitment to opportunity for all, and insistence on the rule of law to enforce these objectives in the public and private spheres, in the face of distorted power arrangements. Critique and anger have their role. But affirmative action going beyond mobilization to sustained, energetic organization is the instrument to achieve the change we need.
14
Trump's interests are not reelection (at least not yet), but to make the biggest possible spectacle out of himself. That he does, while burning up indecent amounts of money for Secret Service protection alone. Not to mention Air Force One.
The amounts of tax payer money Trump burns in a week on Secret Service alone would fund one of our premier research labs for an entire year. And what does he deliver for it?
Has the man no shame?
The amounts of tax payer money Trump burns in a week on Secret Service alone would fund one of our premier research labs for an entire year. And what does he deliver for it?
Has the man no shame?
9
No, the man has no shame at all. In his mind he is perfect and cannot make any mistakes.
7
Although I agree with Mr. Blow, this is vitriol posing as analysis. His rants belong on social media not the Times editorial page. We need news and analysis from this paper not pandering.
7
Mr. Blow, your use of the phrase "King of Chaos" to describe Donald Trump couldn't be more accurate.
Never have we as a nation had a president so utterly unprepared, and so completely ignorant, even on a most rudimentary level, of the essential substance or details of the important issues facing our country and the world today.
Is he so clueless as to think he can simply "wing it" like some high school student who, when asked to give a report on the previous night's reading assignment, fumbles his way through while pretending he has a grasp of the subject matter?
Doesn't he realize who foolish he looks and sounds when he makes stuff up when offering his "viewpoint" on whatever the given topic of discussion happens to be? Where are his advisors?! Don't they consult with him prior to his public appearances and important meetings with other Heads of State?! It should be standard operating procedure, wouldn't you think?
Doesn't he realize how "buffoonish" he looks when he obviously doesn't know what he's talking about and yet pretends to know?
Mr. Blow, I just hope that there are "adults" in the room who can guide him when situations arise that require an assessment of the best options available in the event of a crisis.
...He needs to do his homework.
Never have we as a nation had a president so utterly unprepared, and so completely ignorant, even on a most rudimentary level, of the essential substance or details of the important issues facing our country and the world today.
Is he so clueless as to think he can simply "wing it" like some high school student who, when asked to give a report on the previous night's reading assignment, fumbles his way through while pretending he has a grasp of the subject matter?
Doesn't he realize who foolish he looks and sounds when he makes stuff up when offering his "viewpoint" on whatever the given topic of discussion happens to be? Where are his advisors?! Don't they consult with him prior to his public appearances and important meetings with other Heads of State?! It should be standard operating procedure, wouldn't you think?
Doesn't he realize how "buffoonish" he looks when he obviously doesn't know what he's talking about and yet pretends to know?
Mr. Blow, I just hope that there are "adults" in the room who can guide him when situations arise that require an assessment of the best options available in the event of a crisis.
...He needs to do his homework.
15
Wish I could argue with any of this.
7
What of the 62 million citizens who voted for this charlatan? Could they not tell by his 5th grade vocabulary and thin to non-existent understanding of world affairs that he was shooting from the hip with an empty water pistol? HRC was no prize but she knows what Trump will never know about governing and knows what he will never know about appointing competent advisors, cabinet ministers, and military men and women to keep the nation in fair stead.
20
62 million voters were so fed up with being ignored by the ruling parties that they voted for anyone who pretended to care about them. Trump is the product of a despairing electorate in a corrupted democracy. Their votes were driven less by their willful ignorance than by their disgust with both parties.
6
Yes, but what about the 65+ million who didn't vote in the first place? Do they have any concept of what it means to be a citizen? Do they really care, even a whit, about the future of the country and its people? Are they so disenchanted with a system that over the past eight years and more has demonstrated the most blatant disregard for the concept of sound governing?
They, even more than the 62 million who voted for Trump, or even the relatively small number who went third-party, are the ones who really turned the tide and created this cesspool of government.
They, even more than the 62 million who voted for Trump, or even the relatively small number who went third-party, are the ones who really turned the tide and created this cesspool of government.
Basing the decision on who to vote for on disgust or revenge is a form of ignorance-willful ignorance.
7
Isn't that the easiest solution. To say you have a plan, but not tell anyone what it is. MacMaster asked trump, "So what's your plan dealing with the Middle East."
"I can't tell you, it's a secret."
"I can't tell you, it's a secret."
9
Trump is the worst-possible American president to confront these ugly international political/military problems.
In Syria the frank truth of the matter is that Americans don't care much about the lives and horrors there, and are mortally tired of useless wars in the middle east. The whole world knows this.
The dilemma over North Korea is that there is no cheap solution. The reality is that either something "that really gets the North Korean attention" and calls their bluff must be done, with attendant big risks and costs, or they've won.
Trump the big-mouth blowtard who has alienated every ally the United States has is in the worst-possible position to deal with North Korea. Similarly he is the worst-possible president to rally American support for what would be a scary operation ... if anything other than empty talk is undertaken.
The US really has only two options now: a serious military intervention of some sort, or just kissing Kim-Jong-Fatboy's rear and welcoming them to the nuclear club. Which of these do you think Trump will really do? Which of these do you think the American public wants?
In Syria the frank truth of the matter is that Americans don't care much about the lives and horrors there, and are mortally tired of useless wars in the middle east. The whole world knows this.
The dilemma over North Korea is that there is no cheap solution. The reality is that either something "that really gets the North Korean attention" and calls their bluff must be done, with attendant big risks and costs, or they've won.
Trump the big-mouth blowtard who has alienated every ally the United States has is in the worst-possible position to deal with North Korea. Similarly he is the worst-possible president to rally American support for what would be a scary operation ... if anything other than empty talk is undertaken.
The US really has only two options now: a serious military intervention of some sort, or just kissing Kim-Jong-Fatboy's rear and welcoming them to the nuclear club. Which of these do you think Trump will really do? Which of these do you think the American public wants?
2
My sources tell me that trump, is back- channeling a solution to the Syrian crises. He sent a message to putin, telling him to bomb the assad palace. Then say "sorry, we thought it a hospital."
4
Anyone could see this coming, although I am surprised by Trumps' complete administrative ineptitude, with just more than a tenth of political appointment made. "Leave it to Jared" doesn't cut it, and I am just waiting for the President to ask "what's Aleppo?" He is starting to look frazzled and a little unnerved, although this should be normal for someone with no gaps in their ignorance. No one knew how complicated the world is.......
14
Be careful-- he may think that Toronto is somewhere in upstate New York, just west of Plattsburgh....
1
Trump 'won' the election as a result of the electoral college system. Trump's worst-case-scenario presidency is the kind of disaster the electoral college system is supposedly designed to avert. Yet very few electors actually changed their votes despite how obvious it was that Trump was not suited to be president. So we have an election system that weights the votes of some voters more than others while not functioning to avoid a corrupt and incompetent person from taking office. The electoral college system must be abolished!
15
To modify MRod ...... somewhat.
Your defining statements are very accurate.
Agreed - the Electoral College did NOT do their job.
The Founding Fathers intended that the EC should prevent someone like Trump from becoming President.
They did not do their required duty. Most likely they did not understand what their duty happened to be.
Also only a very few of the current crop applied any clear thinking to what had to be done under the prevailing circumstances.
As to whether or not the EC should be abolished, careful thought must be
given as to how to proceed.
Establishing safeguards by rule and by law and more closely defining policy and procedures would be advised.
The EC does have certain advantages as the Founders intended and revisiting their thinking would be an advisable course of action.
Let us hope that all this will be done and reform considered before too long.
Your defining statements are very accurate.
Agreed - the Electoral College did NOT do their job.
The Founding Fathers intended that the EC should prevent someone like Trump from becoming President.
They did not do their required duty. Most likely they did not understand what their duty happened to be.
Also only a very few of the current crop applied any clear thinking to what had to be done under the prevailing circumstances.
As to whether or not the EC should be abolished, careful thought must be
given as to how to proceed.
Establishing safeguards by rule and by law and more closely defining policy and procedures would be advised.
The EC does have certain advantages as the Founders intended and revisiting their thinking would be an advisable course of action.
Let us hope that all this will be done and reform considered before too long.
3
Have we still not learned, since the end of the Vietnam War, that America's military power has definite limits--unless it is to actually use it and make an already bad situation much worse, which we are very good at? Obama saw the very negative results of what happened as a result of our intervention in Libya, and declined to get us further involved in Syria despite Clinton's urging and that of every other neo-liberal and neo-con. Clinton and McCain remind me of the movie where Greg Kinnear and Matt Damon were fraternal Siamese twins, "Stuck on You."
The problem now is that the Russians are firmly entrenched in Syria, which sits in their backyard--not ours, and if we hit Syrian forces the Russians and the Syrians will directly retaliate by hitting U.S. allies on the ground. It is too late, period.
In terms of a "crisis", this is Mr. Blow's 8,000th use of the word. The government institutions which have had a large hand in running our lives continue to function, and while they never function perfectly they function good enough. Go take a fishing trip!
The problem now is that the Russians are firmly entrenched in Syria, which sits in their backyard--not ours, and if we hit Syrian forces the Russians and the Syrians will directly retaliate by hitting U.S. allies on the ground. It is too late, period.
In terms of a "crisis", this is Mr. Blow's 8,000th use of the word. The government institutions which have had a large hand in running our lives continue to function, and while they never function perfectly they function good enough. Go take a fishing trip!
2
Charles, do you have any suggestions as to what should be done about any of these volatile and dangerous situations? We already know that the Trump team is not up to the task, so maybe it would be good to help point them in the right direction. What should they do?
4
Buffoon indeed, Trump is unrelentingly embarrassing as the President of the United States. He is demonstrably unable to string together three consecutive, coherent semi-complex sentences when responding to questions, whether during a news conference or a one-on-one interview. His ignorance is stunning.
18
Every member of Trump's family that did not try to talk him out of running for president is indeed complicit in the disaster that is his "administration." They knew very well that he is simply not intellectually or mentally fit, and they did nothing, nothing to stop him. I despise them.
18
Hey Putin
If you are reading this, guess what, you bought a lemon.
Since the purchase of this president was not approved by the US voters there are no returns allowed. We don't want him back!
If you are reading this, guess what, you bought a lemon.
Since the purchase of this president was not approved by the US voters there are no returns allowed. We don't want him back!
11
This is the pinnacle of danger for the people of this country and the rest of the world. 45 is in WAY over his head and if he has any sense left in him, he will stop with the foolish bravado and get serious before too many people die. I do not know what it is going to take for him to see the gravity and the enormity of this worlds dnagers and the potential deaths that could be caused by his foolish actions. Those leaders who are very practiced at killing with abandon know he is a piker, a fraud and weak. He is a third rate con man at best. He is easily manipulated by his extremely fragile ego and has no clue what he has gotten himself into. The real problem is that we are in it with him. We are the ones who will suffer. Our children. How many of our kids will die before he gets it? Right now it's other people kids. His supporters will also feel the pain and I blame them and their willful ignorance for their part in this. Big Money in Politics, the SCOTUS allowing it, anti voter rights and the Repubs who unwillingly tee'd up the President gig for him by their practices ,paved the way. We can turn around harmful domestic policy. We can't turn around an attack or a war and the deaths that follow. We can only hope that the losses would not be to great and the price for the rest of the innocents to high in the end. Call me an alarmist. I have been alarmed and yelling to anyone who would listen since that incalculably dangerous little man glided down that elevator and announced.
10
Trump is right by saying he will not show his hand. He is not concealing the absence of a plan. He's not doing what Obama did - telling the enemies where and when and how the U.S. will strike.
2
Or else, Bill, he has no plan whatsoever.
12
To (over) Activist Bill.
Trump doesn't have a clue, let alone a plan.
Take a good look at the picture accompanying this Op-Ed.
Note the visage of bewilderment.
What Trump does have is a lock on ignorance and inexperience in matters of good governance.
Trump doesn't have a clue, let alone a plan.
Take a good look at the picture accompanying this Op-Ed.
Note the visage of bewilderment.
What Trump does have is a lock on ignorance and inexperience in matters of good governance.
6
Just read transcript of his NYT interview with Habermann and Thrush. Trump is such an obviously psychologically damaged and needy person. How did we end up with this deranged, lying and stupid man? Someone who can't stop bragging about how smart he is and how successful and how popular he is even with all his personal deficiencies on constant display and the horrors going on in the world around us? He is NOT NORMAL and it will be a miracle if we make it out of what's left of his time in office with our self-respect and without apocalypse. Thanks Republicans.
27
Joan, say goodbye to foreign visitors in the United States for the forseeable future. Tour operators are signaling tourists' preference for Canada or other more hospitable lands this year. Wait until those greedy corporate institutes of higher earning-- US colleges-- start crying over the precipitous drop in foreign student enrolment. I wonder what solution Trump will find to placate these victims of Trumpism....
4
An intelligent foreign despot will probably not try and militarily provoke Trump--- there is no telling what his response would be. The smart despot would flatter Trump. Trump will go out of his way to be accommodating to someone who says nice things about him.
6
Stephen Bannon is Trump's current puppet master and he was installed by the super-wealthy Mercers after Putin's inside man Paul Manafort stepped out of the visible picture. Bannon has said his objective is to "deconstruct" the US government, presumably to replace it with his ideal white supremacist, fascist ideal. But Trump is so driven by his narcissism and inner devils that he cannot be controlled. The result is sheer chaos amidst a flurry of failed efforts to assemble a functioning administration. Our country is now a laughing stock as Trump stumbles from one political disaster to the next. The Republican Party shows that they have no love of country only hate of immigrants and people of color. As Trump humiliates our nation before the world, the Republican leadership demonstrates that they are cowards and traitors. There are ample grounds for Trump's impeachment and an end to his bumbling presidency, but Ryan, McConnell and the rest of the GOP prefer to see our people disgraced day in and day out as they attempt to "deconstruct" all forms social progress such as health care and Social Security - even Big Bird and Sesame Street are being threatened. Trump and his Republican lackeys must now be be forced from office by the people. There are many grassroots movements around the country working to end Republican control of Congress in 2018 and save our democracy. Join them
12
Trump has no plans or policies (unless, of course, you consider blaming Obama for everything a "policy"). This is a man so consumed by petty grudges and grievances he is literally incapable of governing.
13
Who knew global affairs, war and geopolitical issues could be so complicated?
Kinda makes healthcare and travel bans look like the minor leagues.... oh wait... he struck out there too!
Kinda makes healthcare and travel bans look like the minor leagues.... oh wait... he struck out there too!
7
Charles, I routinely enjoy your columns - you don't pull any punches and I love it. This line caught me.. "They see in Trump a novice and know-nothing, and they will surely test his resolve." I think they will, however, I think they also know he's a loose cannon, as do all Americans.. some love it, most loathe it..
I think the fact that he is a novice, and a know-nothing, contributes to the fact that every nation in the world is concerned that he will nuke them...
I think the fact that he is a novice, and a know-nothing, contributes to the fact that every nation in the world is concerned that he will nuke them...
5
Our un-president, the illegitimate leader of the free world, always keeps his abnormally small hands concealed as his abnormally large ego shields a heretofore abnormally small intellect for any leader of the free world.
The only life line to throw this incurious and inept imbecile to save the United States and the world from one calamitous crisis after another is a speedy resignation from office.
The only life line to throw this incurious and inept imbecile to save the United States and the world from one calamitous crisis after another is a speedy resignation from office.
5
Trump is doing his best to help Americans. Also I voted for Obama twice , didn't blame him for the financial crisis. Syria is in chaos and the US is not responsible or accountable. I think saving our economy and future here comes first.
2
@Keith Wilson...if Trump gets us into a war (and god forbid a nuclear war) there will be no economy or future to save. And he is doing nothing to help Americans, he is only attempting to prop up his ego. When you consider that this intellectually vacuous, intellectually incurious, reactive, ego-maniacal, narcissist has access to the nuclear codes, you should be very worried for your future.
7
If you were really concerned about Syria, our economy and our future, you would be frightened as never before with this man at the helm.
9
WHAT future? A future full of uncultured youth poisoned by contaminated drinking water, suffering from work-related illnesses previously thought to exist only in history books, such as black lung? Trump has ZERO credibility for improving the majority of Americans' financial situation!
4
I don't know enough about the structure of our government. I am hoping there are sufficient mechanisms in place to withstand an onslaught of despotism and idiocy from our current president. Syria challenges the most intelligent compassionate minds, let alone the room temperature IQ and gratuitous hating of the Donald
1
I thought we have been mired in Iraq for these many years due primarily to the dictator there possessing WMDs. What's different now? Bashar al-Assad is clearly a dictator and as history has shown is homicidal towards his own people. Sarin gas is a weapon of mass destruction and is in the possession of al-Assad. Clearly sarin gas has been used this week by al-Assad (and others?) and it isn't necessary to search all of Syria to see if there are WMDs there. So? I guess there are other loyalties here that make taking a position not what the president wants to do since it might complicate his other relationships.
3
Mrs. Clinton would have been a good President. Russia wouldn’t be fooling around with us right now. Neither would Syria. Even North Korea would be quieter.
She’d be trying to work with Republicans. Efforts to repair Obamacare and the infrastructure and brighten the prospects of people without work would be underway. There would be no FBI or Congressional investigations into Trump's crooked election campaign going on. No one would care anymore. Merrick Garland would already be on the Supreme Court. Nobody sane would be trying to build a wall.
Trump and his supporters, of course, would still be tweeting about Benghazi and emails and Kenya and pizza parlors where children get abused. Some people you just cannot help.
She’d be trying to work with Republicans. Efforts to repair Obamacare and the infrastructure and brighten the prospects of people without work would be underway. There would be no FBI or Congressional investigations into Trump's crooked election campaign going on. No one would care anymore. Merrick Garland would already be on the Supreme Court. Nobody sane would be trying to build a wall.
Trump and his supporters, of course, would still be tweeting about Benghazi and emails and Kenya and pizza parlors where children get abused. Some people you just cannot help.
13
The power of the presidency has grown tremendously since WWII to the detriment of the constitutional checks and balances with Congress and the Courts. From Truman to today, every president has engaged in military conflict/war at his own discretion, not to mention foreign policy doctrine and domestic executive orders.
Madison wrote to Jefferson, "Executive is the branch of power most interested in war, and most prone to it."
Today we have a man-child, a narcissist, or an ill-informed amateur (take your pick) in the White House. I believe it is time to rethink the power that has shifted to the White House. Congress must produce a leader who can re-balance this dangerous scale.
Madison wrote to Jefferson, "Executive is the branch of power most interested in war, and most prone to it."
Today we have a man-child, a narcissist, or an ill-informed amateur (take your pick) in the White House. I believe it is time to rethink the power that has shifted to the White House. Congress must produce a leader who can re-balance this dangerous scale.
11
What's telling to me is that no one, absolutely no one of any authority within the GOP is stepping up.
They control the entire federal government apparatus but DJT is so toxic that no one from his own party will step up - even for the good of the country as a whole.
As Comey works on his collusion findings and builds his case for treason we must resist anything this president puts forward that would damage this country like a bad SCOTUS selection or a war.
The stain left by DJT will mark the GOP for years!
They control the entire federal government apparatus but DJT is so toxic that no one from his own party will step up - even for the good of the country as a whole.
As Comey works on his collusion findings and builds his case for treason we must resist anything this president puts forward that would damage this country like a bad SCOTUS selection or a war.
The stain left by DJT will mark the GOP for years!
18
Is it possible that the world will be a better place with a know nothing , do nothing president?
Years of shining city on a hill and American exceptionalism rhetoric have made us , as MLK noted, the most interventionist and violent country in the world.
Maybe the kickback sloth and ignorance of Trump will lead to a nation at peace??!!!
Years of shining city on a hill and American exceptionalism rhetoric have made us , as MLK noted, the most interventionist and violent country in the world.
Maybe the kickback sloth and ignorance of Trump will lead to a nation at peace??!!!
4
This is why I find it very hard to forgive those who voted for Trump.
24
Exactly. Donald Trump was not a figurehead who rode in to Washington in a troop carrier sent by a foreign military invasion. Americans have no choice but to own Trump -- he was duly elected by the idiotic electoral system the American people have chosen to maintain even though conditions have changed since the eighteenth-century.....
2
It was a huge mistake for the U.S., under President George W. Bush, to enter Iraq and take down the dictator Saddam Hussein. It led to chaos and anarchy throughout Iraq, and has spread to other countries in the region. President Obama did nothing to alleviate the situation, but rather exacerbated the chaos by praising the Arab Spring (which, by the way, was named by American Liberal Democrats), and the Arab Spring formed the Muslim Brotherhood, which was an offshoot of Al Qaeda, which branched out into ISIS (or ISIL, as Obama liked to call it).
As for North Korea, who cares if it actually launches a nuclear attack on South Korea? It's time we pull out our 40,000 troops defending the South, and let those people defend themselves.
As for North Korea, who cares if it actually launches a nuclear attack on South Korea? It's time we pull out our 40,000 troops defending the South, and let those people defend themselves.
3
This comment is astonishing for the depth of its ignorance and errant nonsense. The Muslim Brotherhood was born long before the so-called Arab Spring and existed as a political/religious movement in Egypt long before the death of Nasser. It had nothing to do with Al Qaeda, born of Wahabi fundamentalism and nurtured by the likes of the Saudi mullahs.
We have agreements with South Korea going back to late forties and I imagine the deaths of 53,000 Americans during the Korean War still mean something to a great many of us.
Activist Bill is under the spell of Fox News and he is Donald Trump's rightful prey. The idea that the nation should suffer as a whole from this willful and conscious stupidity is nothing short of tragic.
We have agreements with South Korea going back to late forties and I imagine the deaths of 53,000 Americans during the Korean War still mean something to a great many of us.
Activist Bill is under the spell of Fox News and he is Donald Trump's rightful prey. The idea that the nation should suffer as a whole from this willful and conscious stupidity is nothing short of tragic.
9
Are you serious? Do you think a nuclear attack by an unhinged regime wouldn't have an unforeseen multi-factorial impact on the entire world?
You don't have to be a scholar to know would happen to the world in the the wake of a nuclear attack! It's 9th grade economics, geography, politics...
You don't have to be a scholar to know would happen to the world in the the wake of a nuclear attack! It's 9th grade economics, geography, politics...
5
We all knew this was going to happen. International crises with a weak, unintelligent, vain, uninformed and arrogant buffoon at the helm. I guess Trump thought he was just so awesome and powerful that the rest of the world would swoon in front of him and he would never encounter such problems. Now he is waking up to the reality that the rest of the world knows exactly how ridiculous and incompetent he is. It is going to be awful, whatever happens.
19
It is no longer time for "what if's" The world in so many places is now
square in the region "what is"......The answer offered to the reporter
on the Syrian situation, the Iranian militias and Hezbollah made it clear that this country and those that wear the uniform for this country are in the crosshairs of foreign powers better able to attack them than we are to protect them
due to an appalling lack of knowledge, current facts and international
realpolitik by the TV host of "The Apprentice" playing apprentice in the REAL
White House.
......This country is in jeopardy.......and not a TV show... Enough America, enough
before it is too late......and too late is sooner than we think.
square in the region "what is"......The answer offered to the reporter
on the Syrian situation, the Iranian militias and Hezbollah made it clear that this country and those that wear the uniform for this country are in the crosshairs of foreign powers better able to attack them than we are to protect them
due to an appalling lack of knowledge, current facts and international
realpolitik by the TV host of "The Apprentice" playing apprentice in the REAL
White House.
......This country is in jeopardy.......and not a TV show... Enough America, enough
before it is too late......and too late is sooner than we think.
10
One thing, Charles, I don't think we're creeping towards crisis, I think we're hurtling towards it!
26
This is very very unfair. OK? Mr. Blow, you know, where does that name come from? I can tell you but I .... But we're winning in North Korea and with Syria! We're going to take care of these things. OK? And do you really think this would have been better under Hillary? I don't think so! And let me tell you something, if Obama wasn't so weak... so so weak, we wouldn't be having these problems. His foreign policy was a disaster. OK? But we're going to take care of it with the nuclear in North Korea and the bad bad gases they used in Syria. But we need to tear up Obama's nuclear agreement with the Iranians. Have you ever seen such a bad deal? He doesn't know how to negotiate and we end up with these bad deals! I have the best generals and in Syria they crossed many many lines. And North Korea too.
11
And I might add... On the day of Assad gassing women and children our "bungling and blustering" president (not capitalized on purpose) was boasting ad nauseam about his win in November to a labor conference. His pathetic statement hours later acknowledging the horrendous act accentuated his weakness and incoherence to the world. It is sad and dangerous that world affairs are more complicated than he thought. Thank you Mr. Blow for helping us articulate the bizarre unmasking of our own Wizarad of Oz.
10
To mash up your language with the all-too relevant Wizard of Oz:
"Bluster and bungling and bosh," oh my!
"Bluster and bungling and bosh," oh my!
4
Are you saving your magical solution to the Syria situation for another column?
I'm not holding my breath.
I'm not holding my breath.
2
The Middle East is a vast swamp with no bottom. The people there are still fighting over events that happened over 1,000 years ago. They have no interest in peace, they are addicted to violence and retribution. We need to walk away. Only they can determine their fate, they can find peace or slaughter each other down to the last cockroach. Personally, I'm betting on the latter.
The key to North Korea is China. China likes North Korea because it acts like a small, yappy dog on its front porch. People focus on the yappy dog and ignore what is going on in China. I would tell China "Control your dog. If you do not, we will move all of our trade away from your country. You will have riots in the streets of Beijing as a result of the economic collapse this will bring. Do not test us on this, you government's foundation among the people is not that strong."
The key to North Korea is China. China likes North Korea because it acts like a small, yappy dog on its front porch. People focus on the yappy dog and ignore what is going on in China. I would tell China "Control your dog. If you do not, we will move all of our trade away from your country. You will have riots in the streets of Beijing as a result of the economic collapse this will bring. Do not test us on this, you government's foundation among the people is not that strong."
1
Do you shop at Walmart? Who do you think makes all of that stuff? Go on, take a look at the manufacturing labels of the desk you are sitting on, the computer, tablet, phone you wrote from? Where's it made?
Find something else to rant about...
Find something else to rant about...
2
We don't have the luxury of waiting until the elections of 2018 to make our voices heard to those in Washington who are supposed to be working on our behalf. Nor can we assume that those who put Donald Trump and the Republicans in charge of our fate won't double down and vote them back to Congress. We need to send a huge, unequivocal vote of No Confidence to the entire Government right now! Nothing seems to gain its attention to the things that are threatening our very lives as a nation. They are too busy trying to pretend that this insanity is nothing more than business as usual. I feel that we need to do something en masse to get their attention.
The British government has a mechanism whereby it can send leadership a vote of no confidence. Is there a way that we can collectively do the same thing to our Congress? And I mean ALL of them, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, etc. Telling them that every day they allow this intolerable situation to continue they are LETTING US DOWN and endangering our country. Would it be a petition? Full page ads in every newspaper in the country? TV ads?
Somehow I believe this country needs to let out a collective, primal SCREAM that this catastrophic train wreck we're heading for at full steam must STOP! For heaven's sake, there were 3,000,000 more of us who voted to prevent this from ever happening. Surely we can make some noise! Anyone with me on this? Does anyone know how to get it started? Would the NYT be able to help us on this?
The British government has a mechanism whereby it can send leadership a vote of no confidence. Is there a way that we can collectively do the same thing to our Congress? And I mean ALL of them, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, etc. Telling them that every day they allow this intolerable situation to continue they are LETTING US DOWN and endangering our country. Would it be a petition? Full page ads in every newspaper in the country? TV ads?
Somehow I believe this country needs to let out a collective, primal SCREAM that this catastrophic train wreck we're heading for at full steam must STOP! For heaven's sake, there were 3,000,000 more of us who voted to prevent this from ever happening. Surely we can make some noise! Anyone with me on this? Does anyone know how to get it started? Would the NYT be able to help us on this?
7
WWIII does seem to be looming. All due to this man's superb incompetency and the Republican's and his administration's absurd desire to uphold this charade. He is not the only buffoon reigning power. He thinks he stands alone, but he doesn't, he just stands most exposed. And he does not have the gravitas nor intellectual ability to invite the true respect, dignity and immense responsibility that his office should be upholding.
9
Maybe you'll be able to see the orange glows of those 'suns' rising in the western skies when China unleashes nuclear tipped ICBMs on all metropolises from Seattle to San Diego this year....
He could be an imbecile, or he could be showing signs of dementia.
8
You are so right Mr Blow. Very, very, very scary.
7
One change, please, Mr. Blow -- make that "our buffoonish, so-called 'President'.....
5
Scathing yet accurate. Terrifying because true.
20
Charles I woke up this morning in good space but now you are frightening me. the Republican congress needs to step up and depose this man.
19
Simply put, we have a President who lacks the ability, temperament, education, integrity or human compassion. So where do we go from there and how do we stop him from damaging us and the world?
18
I recommend that as citizens we take 45 not at his word. It appears to change to follow whatever wind blows across his face. Take him as most vendors, suppliers, and construction organizations seem to take him: as untrustworthy, as one who reneges on contracts and agreements, as one who seems congenitally incapable of holding any two thoughts (never mind two opposing thoughts) in his mind for more than five minutes. Take him also as someone who has no idea what it means to govern. At the same time, hope or pray that his four years will pass without grievous harm to others, either domestic or foreign. Perhaps hope or pray that he will do something so blatantly unconstitutional that he will be impeached and his presidency might be blessedly shorter than the 3 years and 8 months remaining.
14
It’s frightening to imagine at what point the Congress of the United States of America will deem the US President as incompetent and incapable of executing the duties of his office, and thus remove him from office. The irreparable and monumental damage that will lay before us at that point is truly frightening to consider.
14
Trump: "I inherited a mess."
Apparently Trump had no clue as to the state of the world before he ran for president. Perhaps he should have been self-aware enough to know that and therefore not vie for such a job.
He can't believe Assad gassed babies, and that has changed his position. apparently he was unaware that Assad has done it in the past, or at least aware only enough to bash Obama.
This guy is the big loser he calls everyone else.
Apparently Trump had no clue as to the state of the world before he ran for president. Perhaps he should have been self-aware enough to know that and therefore not vie for such a job.
He can't believe Assad gassed babies, and that has changed his position. apparently he was unaware that Assad has done it in the past, or at least aware only enough to bash Obama.
This guy is the big loser he calls everyone else.
23
Psychologists call it "projection". Trump is the champ of it.
4
Trump's a serial liar. Saying he changed his opinion after Assad's massacre is like saying he's changed positions on his favorite color. Next moment its something else again. This buffoon is a strutting tinderbox who thinks flying by the seat of one's pants in a self-created swamp of chaos and deceit is evidence of a "good brain".
18
Thank you Charles Blow for sounding an alarm that should reverberate loud and clear through the halls of Congress, through his Cabinet, through The Supreme Court and every institution in the land.
Millions of Americans have died defending the very principles, honor and world leadership Trump is methodically dismantling AND unwittingly destroying every day.
Trump abdicated America's moral leadership of the world when he recently said something like, "I'm President of the United States, I'm not President of the world"!
Trump tacitly gave the murderous Syrian President Assad the "green light" to gas innocents when he said the U.S no longer seeks his removal.
Secretary of State Tillerson dissembled at best when he said the Syrian people should decide whether Assad should continue as President, which is an absurdity and an outrage because there is not even a scintilla of Democratic process in a land overrun by Syrian forces, Iran, Hezbollah, Al Nustra, Al Queda, Isis and Russia!
Now, as in many other cases, Trump awakens (perhaps after viewing video of the horrific deaths of Syrian children killed by poisonous Sarin gas), and is startled by Assad's depravity?
I agree with Charles Blow. Trump is a lunatic, a simpleton and emotionally unstable fake President.
The biggest question facing our country is whether members of Congress and the Cabinet, now that push comes to shove, will do their patriotic duty, and remove Trump from office.
Millions of Americans have died defending the very principles, honor and world leadership Trump is methodically dismantling AND unwittingly destroying every day.
Trump abdicated America's moral leadership of the world when he recently said something like, "I'm President of the United States, I'm not President of the world"!
Trump tacitly gave the murderous Syrian President Assad the "green light" to gas innocents when he said the U.S no longer seeks his removal.
Secretary of State Tillerson dissembled at best when he said the Syrian people should decide whether Assad should continue as President, which is an absurdity and an outrage because there is not even a scintilla of Democratic process in a land overrun by Syrian forces, Iran, Hezbollah, Al Nustra, Al Queda, Isis and Russia!
Now, as in many other cases, Trump awakens (perhaps after viewing video of the horrific deaths of Syrian children killed by poisonous Sarin gas), and is startled by Assad's depravity?
I agree with Charles Blow. Trump is a lunatic, a simpleton and emotionally unstable fake President.
The biggest question facing our country is whether members of Congress and the Cabinet, now that push comes to shove, will do their patriotic duty, and remove Trump from office.
15
Great writing as usual Charles. Yet I still sense restraint in your writing. What kind of voice should one maintain in the face of a curse on the entirety of the American Project?
While I am happy that the New York Times has given you the freedom to express some of the moral outrage of most Americans with what has happened to our government, I remain concerned that its still not enough.
These are times where journalism prizes matter. Where investigative reporting is essential. In a way I am hoping the times gives you an extended editorial series and a staff to help reinforce the good work of The LA Times in the past few weeks. You need the room, Charles, to deeply examine the cancer of fascism that has seeped into so many of the Trump minions, as well as their horrific denials of the value of environmental regulations, education, the rights of immigrants, and on and on.
In other words Trump is truly awful. On every level. There is no escaping what a horrific disaster this "business" man is for every single leadership point The United States might have claimed under the leadership of our 44th president.
And for what? Temporarily high DJIA numbers?
While I am happy that the New York Times has given you the freedom to express some of the moral outrage of most Americans with what has happened to our government, I remain concerned that its still not enough.
These are times where journalism prizes matter. Where investigative reporting is essential. In a way I am hoping the times gives you an extended editorial series and a staff to help reinforce the good work of The LA Times in the past few weeks. You need the room, Charles, to deeply examine the cancer of fascism that has seeped into so many of the Trump minions, as well as their horrific denials of the value of environmental regulations, education, the rights of immigrants, and on and on.
In other words Trump is truly awful. On every level. There is no escaping what a horrific disaster this "business" man is for every single leadership point The United States might have claimed under the leadership of our 44th president.
And for what? Temporarily high DJIA numbers?
7
The amount of conjecture in these comments suggests a legion of jerking knees. Each day is different. Each now is now. That is why Charles for all his merits is boxed into his own judgment. I will judge Trump on the harm done. He has done some. He has yet to come close to LBJ, Nixon of Bush 2. Pray he does not and do not judge. Jesus completed that ethical imperative with a remark about the volume of logs as compared with specks.
Trump is President in name only. Possibly the most clueless and ignorant man ever to occupy the White House.
His facial expressions are a mirror into his soul. He is devoid of any thoughtful and cognitive substance.
The Donald got a job he didn't really want, and now, having it, doesn't have a clue about what to do with it.
He has the potential to destroy the country and the world and is too stupid to even realize it.
Why and how he got to the Oval Office needs to be carefully and thoroughly looked at to prevent this type of travesty from ever happening again. Our continued existence as a people and a country depends on it.
His facial expressions are a mirror into his soul. He is devoid of any thoughtful and cognitive substance.
The Donald got a job he didn't really want, and now, having it, doesn't have a clue about what to do with it.
He has the potential to destroy the country and the world and is too stupid to even realize it.
Why and how he got to the Oval Office needs to be carefully and thoroughly looked at to prevent this type of travesty from ever happening again. Our continued existence as a people and a country depends on it.
13
The USA has hundreds of nuclear bombs we can drop on North Korea. If North Korea no longer exists, it will no longer be a problem. Simple. Sad. Very sad.
When are we going to call "a spade a spade", without having to dance around the issue that so many editorial boards, columnist and journalists do, with the exception of Charles M. Blow and Lawrence O'Donnell -- neither of these are afraid to "speak truth to power" -- but, my god! Let's just cut to the chase. I will say what is on everyone's mind, but either they are unwilling or unable to say: "Get this fool out of the office of the Presidency before he blows up the entire world! He is unfit for this job, and therefore, should be fired! He is insane!" It's as simple as that. Get rid of him. I mean, come on, those other fools on the Hill have to see what is clearly before their eyes, and they do, but they are using Trump as a "means to an end". Trump is a stooge. Plain and simply a stooge. The one thing that keeps me reassured is that those who run the Pentagon, Intel and other forms of protection take an oath to this country, not to an individual. Actually, all of those fools on the Hill do as well (as we all know). The one assurance is that these factions will step in when the #insaneclownpresident (the title of Jeremy Scahill's book) goes a step too far. That is the only (re)assurance that we have. Other than that, we're pretty likely "screwed". It is a "Dark Night of the Soul" for this country. In another light, perhaps Trump has arrived to deliver the karma earned by all of this country's nefarious dealings. Watch the weather.
7
I want Hillary. Or Barack.
7
Who's the puppet? Sigh.
2
Name one problem, any problem, that can be solved by this simpleton .
8
This man is clinically mentally ill, woefully unprepared, and an empty vessel whose blathering stands in for/gins up an inner self. He HAS no core self. That's the essence of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. A false self.
Virtually everyone on his team is equally ignorant-yet-certain, and equally unprepared. There isn't even a team, really, with hundreds of staff positions still unfilled.
We will never get a clear, reasoned position on any complicated situation, as Narcissists do not weigh and evaluate facts. As we have seen, they lean towards whatever "facts" make THEM look/feel better in the moment. It's all about their own image of themselves, at all times. We will never hit bottom and find out what Trump really believes or stands for other than his own brand. The buck will NEVER stop at a Narcissist's desk.
The Emperor, naked as a jaybird, is strutting down Pennsylvania Avenue-- and the whole world is looking on in horror.
Virtually everyone on his team is equally ignorant-yet-certain, and equally unprepared. There isn't even a team, really, with hundreds of staff positions still unfilled.
We will never get a clear, reasoned position on any complicated situation, as Narcissists do not weigh and evaluate facts. As we have seen, they lean towards whatever "facts" make THEM look/feel better in the moment. It's all about their own image of themselves, at all times. We will never hit bottom and find out what Trump really believes or stands for other than his own brand. The buck will NEVER stop at a Narcissist's desk.
The Emperor, naked as a jaybird, is strutting down Pennsylvania Avenue-- and the whole world is looking on in horror.
12
Form another article in the NYT today; "Speaking in the Oval Office, Donald J. Trump praised Mr. O’Reilly as “a good person” and declared, “I don’t think Bill did anything wrong,”
What does that mean? Does Trump even know what Bill O'Reilly did? Either he does or he doesn't, or he may think he does but he actually doesn't, or perhaps he doesn't care what O'Reilly did because sexual harassment is not important.
"Speaking in the Oval Office". Bizarre.
What does that mean? Does Trump even know what Bill O'Reilly did? Either he does or he doesn't, or he may think he does but he actually doesn't, or perhaps he doesn't care what O'Reilly did because sexual harassment is not important.
"Speaking in the Oval Office". Bizarre.
10
GBC -- the informed public only knows about Donald Trump's immature, fraternity boy vision of women. They are either decorative cheesecake or potential sexual partners to be conquered. He is probably chuckling 'son of a gun!' at the thought of O'Reilly's harrassment charges....
Good article. It reinforces a pattern that we've seen, or should see, that Trump doesn't have the intellectual capacity to progress and then decide on a course of action(s) laid out by his trusted/expert advisors.
Even if there were no discord between Trump's inner circle, the head of the NSA, the Joint Chiefs, the FBI, CIA and on and on - even if they were deliberating and looking at all options and cooperating - Trump holds the final yeah or nay on their recommendations.
And he doesn't have the intellectual capacity to make such decisions. Inexperience in government isn't all that important, as long as Trump carefully considers the options made available to him, and is in fact capable of processing those options.
That he can't even do that is what is most worrisome to me, and no doubt, many of my fellow Americans.
Even if there were no discord between Trump's inner circle, the head of the NSA, the Joint Chiefs, the FBI, CIA and on and on - even if they were deliberating and looking at all options and cooperating - Trump holds the final yeah or nay on their recommendations.
And he doesn't have the intellectual capacity to make such decisions. Inexperience in government isn't all that important, as long as Trump carefully considers the options made available to him, and is in fact capable of processing those options.
That he can't even do that is what is most worrisome to me, and no doubt, many of my fellow Americans.
9
Stephen Bannon is Trump's current puppet master and he was installed by the super-wealthy Mercers after Putin's inside man Paul Manafort stepped out of the visible picture. Bannon has said his objective is to "deconstruct" the US government, presumably to replace it with his ideal white supremacist, fascist ideal.
But Trump is so driven by his narcissism and inner devils that he cannot be controlled. The result is sheer chaos amidst a flurry of failed efforts to assemble a functioning administration. Our country is now a laughing stock as Trump stumbles from one political disaster to the next.
The Republican Party shows that they have no love of country only hate of immigrants and people of color. As Trump humiliates our nation before the world, the Republican leadership demonstrates that they are cowards and traitors. There are ample grounds for Trump's impeachment and an end to his bumbling presidency, but Ryan, McConnell and the rest of the GOP prefer to see our people disgraced day in and day out as they attempt to "deconstruct" all forms social progress such as health care and Social Security - even Big Bird and Sesame Street are being threatened.
Trump and his Republican lackeys must now be be forced from office by the people. There are many grassroots movements around the country working to end Republican control of Congress in 2018 and save our democracy. Join them.
But Trump is so driven by his narcissism and inner devils that he cannot be controlled. The result is sheer chaos amidst a flurry of failed efforts to assemble a functioning administration. Our country is now a laughing stock as Trump stumbles from one political disaster to the next.
The Republican Party shows that they have no love of country only hate of immigrants and people of color. As Trump humiliates our nation before the world, the Republican leadership demonstrates that they are cowards and traitors. There are ample grounds for Trump's impeachment and an end to his bumbling presidency, but Ryan, McConnell and the rest of the GOP prefer to see our people disgraced day in and day out as they attempt to "deconstruct" all forms social progress such as health care and Social Security - even Big Bird and Sesame Street are being threatened.
Trump and his Republican lackeys must now be be forced from office by the people. There are many grassroots movements around the country working to end Republican control of Congress in 2018 and save our democracy. Join them.
We've got Charlie X as president.
Google it.
Google it.
1
Trump's issues of psychology,temperment,intellect (or lack of) basis knowledge are at the least... VERY disturbing. what's worse is that in large part he's not surrounded by wise,experienced aides. instead....it's amateurs and ideological extremes. Rather than thought out measured statements... we see ill cosidered midnight tweets. We get outburst and scrambled logic,priorities. we get stupid lies and ego-freakouts. Were Serious policy, some worthy agenda also happening... it might be less disturbing.. but one can just LOOK. We EASILY see a sick takeover by malevolent know nothings,bigots, cult thinkers. People get APPOINTED...it seems, to WILLFULLY damage the agenda they head. people get picked largely from being donors, cronies.......OR... having lnks to Russian Oligarchs.
This all happens in a context where Repubs actually have to GOVERN but... revert to pandering to the ultra Rich and cults of dittoheads and theocrats. What's lacking is a core of pragmatic, some integrity.
This all happens in a context where Repubs actually have to GOVERN but... revert to pandering to the ultra Rich and cults of dittoheads and theocrats. What's lacking is a core of pragmatic, some integrity.
2
There is no chance that Trump is going to grow a brain, become informed, or make wise decisions about the crises facing the world--in Syria and in N. Korea, to name a few.
So we need our Democratic representatives to make a plan for dealing with the woefully inadequate clown sitting in the Oval Office. It's way past time to wring our hands--we need to figure out what options are open to us (the majority who voted for Hillary), and decide on a course of action.
So we need our Democratic representatives to make a plan for dealing with the woefully inadequate clown sitting in the Oval Office. It's way past time to wring our hands--we need to figure out what options are open to us (the majority who voted for Hillary), and decide on a course of action.
8
What America needs is a rational and peaceful protest movement operating seven days a week. Just exclude the violent numbskulls who do nothing but shed discredit upon the anti-Trump majority by smashing up coffee shops. It worked in the 1960s against the Vietnam War -- rouse yourselves out of your complacency!!!!!
This is not "creeping towards a crisis" - this is hurtling at warp speed into a myriad of dangerous domestic and international crevices and abysses, and we have an ignorant, developmentally stunted adolescent with the attention span of a gnat at the helm of the Starship Enterprise. Con Man has appointed a cabinet full of rich men with zero experience in, nor concern about, the government departments over which they hold sway, and some are dedicated to destroying the very functions of those departments which are tasked with protecting the health and well-being of all Americans. He has failed to fill vital positions, and instead, has handed over everything to his daughter's callow, inexperienced spouse, who lacks any diplomatic experience and whose ostensible "business expertise" amounts to having inherited a shady real estate and development company, whose coffers he has sought to enhance while globe-trotting on his "portfolio" of tasks. This cretin poses an existential threat to the nation and to the entire world, and his arrogant ignorance imperils every last one of us. At this point, his entire corrosive, amoral party is useless - I'm beginning to think we may need a military coup to rid ourselves of all of these disastrously corrupt, incompetent, and dangerous demagogues. 4/6, 11:33 AM
Dear Members of Congress, Many of you are too young to remember that in 1998 President Bill Clinton was impeached for lying about a sexual pecadillo with a White House intern. Surely you can act as expeditiously as possible to do likewise with the far more grave lies, conflicts of interest and Russian connections of this president. As patriots, you owe it to the nation. We cannot wait any longer before we fall off the precipice. Thank you.
11
I echo C. Harris's comment. Many questions remain about the Syria chemical attack. First where is the hard evidence implicating the Assad regime. The condemnation of Russia//Syria without evidence echo's the Fake News of William Randolph Hearst who got us into the Spanish-American war for no reason. The Battleship Maine wasn't attacked. Since Syria with Russian support has no reason to use chemical weapons//conventional ones are doing the job, the suspicions is the Rebels used these weapons to provoke U.S. entry into the war against Assad. Needless to say this is not evidence. Unless the U.N. wants to rule Syria, evicting Assad and the Rebels both, it would be prudent to understand who used these weapons. Unless people do not understand conventional weapons can do heinous things and have done so the hysteria about these fragrant violations of international law are irrational in the absence of others.
Let say Russia broke the eternal Lax Security of the DNC (no reported breaks ever to the RNC) and obtained Clinton/Podesta emails and sent to Wikieaks.
Lets also say their were planning and coordinating with the Trump to maximize their effect. First off if this was the NY Times who hacked the DNC and exposed corruption it would be called great investigative reporting. Second in the light of the U.S. overthrowing numerous elected governments in Guatamala, Iran, and elsewhere. Third we did more to elect Yelsin. The level of hypocrisy here is deafening.
Let say Russia broke the eternal Lax Security of the DNC (no reported breaks ever to the RNC) and obtained Clinton/Podesta emails and sent to Wikieaks.
Lets also say their were planning and coordinating with the Trump to maximize their effect. First off if this was the NY Times who hacked the DNC and exposed corruption it would be called great investigative reporting. Second in the light of the U.S. overthrowing numerous elected governments in Guatamala, Iran, and elsewhere. Third we did more to elect Yelsin. The level of hypocrisy here is deafening.
Charles, as a former schoolteacher I give all of your recent anti-Trump op-eds an A+. Your former teachers must be very proud of you. Keep up the great writing!
ar members of Congress comma many of you are The impeachment of Bill Clinton was initiated by the House of Representatives on December 19, 1998, against Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States, on two charges, one of perjury and one of obstruction of justice. These charges stemmed from Clinton's extramarital affair with former White House Intern Monica Lewinsky and too young to remember that
2
“You will see. They will have a message. You will see what the message will be, O.K.”
I think I get the message, which is: there is no message. I am 100% confident that there will never be a coherent thought coming from this guy. What a pathetic excuse for a president.
I think I get the message, which is: there is no message. I am 100% confident that there will never be a coherent thought coming from this guy. What a pathetic excuse for a president.
7
The trump voters remain ignorant. However, that cannot be said for republican leaders. They are 100% culpable for any future disaster!
6
Wow, that needed to be said. Thanks.
1
Trump is all hands and no brain. Grab, possess, chew, spit, and then grab again. But you cannot grab and chew a problem. You cannot pound it into submission either. Or harass it into agreement. You have to think, strategize, and adjust with the shifting details of the moment. We have a fourth-grader for a president. And everyone in the world knows it but the people who voted for him.
4
This article is spot on, but I must ask: of the 63 million that voted for Trump, how many regret? The answer to that question is even scarier than the fact that Trump is president. It means that Trump Part II is not out of the question. If the world is laughing now, can you imagine what they'll be thinking if we re-elect this goofball.
4
I listened to the podcast The Daily this morning which had the WH interview with Trump. I was stunned how confused the President was on everything. It was obvious that something was very wrong as the NYT's editors had to keep explaining and reassuring Trump that they had already done articles on issues Trump kept raising and Trump couldn't answer the simplest questions on issues that they raised! America is not creeping towards a crisis, Mr. Blow America speeding at 160 mph with Trump's foot taped to the gas peddle.
12
i would wait and see, Charles.
I know you find Trump absurd as president, but for those of us who support his administration and the legitimacy of his ideas, this seems fine.
i find the terror that liberals have over trump ultimately self-serving, self-involved, and transparently manipulative.
I know you find Trump absurd as president, but for those of us who support his administration and the legitimacy of his ideas, this seems fine.
i find the terror that liberals have over trump ultimately self-serving, self-involved, and transparently manipulative.
3
Which ideas are legitimate? lock her up? build a wall? upward redistribution of tax dollars to billionaires? end health care? kill jobs? environment can take care of itself? we don't need clean air or water? Do you see a booming new industry in gas masks and water filtration? prosthetic gills for people living near rising seas? moving all our vulnerable military operations (80% are in areas the Pentagon considers already suffering from rising seas/storms) 200 miles inland? Even the ports?! Quick! One legitimate idea. One idea that he hasn't contradicted over a one week period. Grabbing women doesn't count.
3
If the rest of the civilized and western world is what you call "liberals', then you've got quite a huge conspiracy going.
I find it odd that Trump supporters don't ask themselves why the rest of the civilized world is horrified by the choice of 65 million Americans and that this mentally disturbed conman is president of the US. The real puzzle, is why so many American's either can't see his mental illnesses, or don't care. Same people who said they couldn't vote for Hillary because she's a liar then voted for a man who lies seven times more than Hillary.
We "liberals", as you call sane and civilized people around the world, see a conflict in that kind of thinking.
I find it odd that Trump supporters don't ask themselves why the rest of the civilized world is horrified by the choice of 65 million Americans and that this mentally disturbed conman is president of the US. The real puzzle, is why so many American's either can't see his mental illnesses, or don't care. Same people who said they couldn't vote for Hillary because she's a liar then voted for a man who lies seven times more than Hillary.
We "liberals", as you call sane and civilized people around the world, see a conflict in that kind of thinking.
8
Trump's "ideas" are spewed in false statements every day. Since you raise the topic of legitimacy of these ideas, let me be the first to ask, can lies and fabrications be legitimate? The end of promoting a macho, pro-white, xenophobic, know-nothing policy is more important than the means of investigating factual information and having a government of consensus and fairness? I don't really feel terror about Trump because that would mean I might be unable to think rationally. Based on his approval ratings, this man is increasingly seen in a sober view as utterly unqualified and embarrassingly deleterious to the public good of our country.
5
I fully agree with the impeccable analysis of this article .
What bothers me the most is that the behavior of this president could be attributable to early dementia , since there is demonstrable progressive worsening of his mental capabilities and significant limits in his vocabulary with repetitive infantile words .
What bothers me the most is that the behavior of this president could be attributable to early dementia , since there is demonstrable progressive worsening of his mental capabilities and significant limits in his vocabulary with repetitive infantile words .
25
Maybe you should ask Charles about the use of repetitive, infantile words. Does impeccable rhyme with petulant?
14
I have long believed that Trump, as things began to truly fall apart in his presidency, would find a military conflict to embroil our country in with they hope that Americans would turn to him as our 'wartime president'. With the events of recent days revealing him to be a naked emperor, North Korea may be just the opening he is looking for.
9
Trump has been president just under 76 days. His ego and ignorance seem to increase daily. Like the stages of grief, I have passed beyond denial and anger, skipped bargaining, and now live in constant depression. I will not reach acceptance.
I believe the risk of armed conflict involving nuclear weapons is real. Worse than my childhood when the Soviet Union and the United States skated on thin ice year after year. Perhaps luck saved us, but looking back I think we benefited from the men and women who had fought in WWII, whether as generals, foot soldiers, nurses, or politicians and diplomats. Today we have Rex Tillerson and Steve Bannon instead of Eleanor Roosevelt, Clifford Clark and Eisenhower.
I believe the risk of armed conflict involving nuclear weapons is real. Worse than my childhood when the Soviet Union and the United States skated on thin ice year after year. Perhaps luck saved us, but looking back I think we benefited from the men and women who had fought in WWII, whether as generals, foot soldiers, nurses, or politicians and diplomats. Today we have Rex Tillerson and Steve Bannon instead of Eleanor Roosevelt, Clifford Clark and Eisenhower.
8
Who knew Bashir Al Assad was such a bad guy?
Who knew health care was so complicated?
Who knew the press actually pays attention to what I say and do?
All of us, Donnie. All of us. It's going to be a very long, perhaps very dangerous four years.
Who knew health care was so complicated?
Who knew the press actually pays attention to what I say and do?
All of us, Donnie. All of us. It's going to be a very long, perhaps very dangerous four years.
17
Fiction gave us General Jack Ripper and his "precious bodily fluids" ("children, Mandrake, innocent children"), and Reality gives us President Donald Trump and his late-life "only I can fix it" crisis of manhood ("innocent babies, babies, little babies"). At least Ripper could quote Clemenceau.
6
In the first place, the reporter that asked dumb trump if he (trump) would go after Syria, his (the reporter) mistake was that he asked more than one question of trump. However, it is doubtful that trump could even intelligently answer even one question since he is severely intelligently challenged. Wonder if he even knows where Syria is?
trump is the laughing stock of the world.
trump is the laughing stock of the world.
8
Mr. Blow revealed my sentiments with one exception. Can we be certain Bashar al Assad was responsible for the atrocity in Syria?
5
Brilliant commentary, Charles but the "draft dodger" bit is way out of place and you know it. Being in a soldier in a war is not a qualification for the presidency. It is often, however, one of the most common causes of broken hearts.
1
Republicans called clinton a draft dodger. Republicans created "fake news" about John Kerry's military service. Trump himself belittled John McCain's service as a tortured prisoner. Trump is a draft dodger, it's relevant to his qualifications to be President, and he is a despicable person.
8
Trump is an evil and dangerous narcissist. I pray that the republic will survive in spite of of his administration of evil.
I pray he will prove me wrong!
I pray he will prove me wrong!
8
Alas, Rickyme 52, you prayers will go unanswered. Chales Blow nailed once more, the whole world believes Trump to be an imbecile, a pathological liar and a bungler. He will ruin this country unless we can get rid of him by impeaching him.
3
Hey, Where are all the Trump Supporters protecting Trump? Providing his greatest about Trump. How is he going to make America Great Again? He never had a plan to stop ISIS. He can barely understand Syria or Korea. Watch, Trump Supporter resort to name calling, insult. Not one of them can provide anything positive or even neutral about Trump.
While I agree wholeheartedly with your editorial Charles, you fail to offer any solutions. Perhaps there just aren't any but your piece frightens me and likely most Americans since it appears we're doomed because we elected a simpleton.
5
The obvious solution is resignation or impeachment. It ain't rocket science. We need these fraudsters OUT of the Executive Branch as soon as possible.
1
I too am afraid that we have both a leader and a team that is amazing ill-mannered and ill-informed. From blame to bizarrely incoherent blather, our president, no longer the leader of the free world, gives us serious reason to fearless our country's safety. I fear that the crawler will announce that 'bombing will begin in five minutes.' And that we will start WWIII because he is bone-headed and really rather stupid..unconsciously incompetent..rather in addressing that lots of things are a mess...that's why the job is hard and requires skills and attributes of a leader, not a buffoon. Even a George the Lessor could do the job better, and that's saying a lot!
3
Mr Blow’s assessment and prognosis are correct. We are watching a slow-motion train wreck, but we are on the train.
Trump is utterly, profoundly ignorant of any political or historical realities — the Iran-Hezbollah question Blow recounts is apposite — but he bulls forward by squirting black ink like a squid in a fight, to obscure every reality, and his own heroic ignorance, around him.
He is temperamentally unprepared to deal with any crisis, having lied (then failed) throughout his past; but here are crises he cannot discharge in bankruptcy or by stiffing creditors: North Korea, ME/NA, China, climate, and so on.
But now, having prominently and irrevocably displayed to every world leader his own intellectual emptiness, his clown-car cabinet, and his gutless bluster, he is hoping — hoping! — to initiate military action in Korea or the ruins of Iraq and Syria, for one reason — to improve his polls.
Yes, we are being greased up for “Invade Iraq 2.0.” Remember how well 1.0 went?
We cannot wait for 2018 to impeach this monster. We will not survive that long. We are at a moment in our history where we have never been; and not merely America, but the very concept of representative liberal democracy is at stake.
Trump is utterly, profoundly ignorant of any political or historical realities — the Iran-Hezbollah question Blow recounts is apposite — but he bulls forward by squirting black ink like a squid in a fight, to obscure every reality, and his own heroic ignorance, around him.
He is temperamentally unprepared to deal with any crisis, having lied (then failed) throughout his past; but here are crises he cannot discharge in bankruptcy or by stiffing creditors: North Korea, ME/NA, China, climate, and so on.
But now, having prominently and irrevocably displayed to every world leader his own intellectual emptiness, his clown-car cabinet, and his gutless bluster, he is hoping — hoping! — to initiate military action in Korea or the ruins of Iraq and Syria, for one reason — to improve his polls.
Yes, we are being greased up for “Invade Iraq 2.0.” Remember how well 1.0 went?
We cannot wait for 2018 to impeach this monster. We will not survive that long. We are at a moment in our history where we have never been; and not merely America, but the very concept of representative liberal democracy is at stake.
4
With a focus on foreign policy, an area about which Mr. Trump clearly knows little if anything of substance, this piece is a nice slice of today's focal disasters-in-process.
Although it is not always a good idea to be pessimistic, in this case I believe Mr. Blow's extremely harsh view of this disappointingly and alarmingly confusing President to be fully justified.
Although it is not always a good idea to be pessimistic, in this case I believe Mr. Blow's extremely harsh view of this disappointingly and alarmingly confusing President to be fully justified.
6
I have to disagree. A person does not become a billionaire by being an "imbecile" etc. It is impossible. Nor can he attain the presidency. It is easy to write these things -- it only takes a command of the language -- but the things Trump commands (from his business life) are expansive and tangible. I enjoy reading columns like this and there is some truth to what is written, but it is one-sided. Trump has the strength to say he was wrong about Syria and he is going toi do something about it. You have to be honest.
1
And what does he plan to do? He didn't mention that. Nor did he say he was wrong. He will never say that. He said he is "flexible".
2
Trump's father was a major NYC real estate developer. He was born to money. On the few occasions he actually tried to do his own deals, he failed miserably. His one notable "success" is pretending to be successful and getting others to invest in the Trump "brand."
3
@ RB: "Trump has the strength to say he was wrong about Syria and he is going toi[sic] do something about it."
Yeah, let's all feel confident he'll do something about Syria. And let's all hope the "something" will be more than was accomplished on the repeal & replace debacle; or the border wall paid by Mexico fantasy; or the disaster that was not one but two travel bans aimed at Muslims, etc.
Your remarks are patently absurd.
Yeah, let's all feel confident he'll do something about Syria. And let's all hope the "something" will be more than was accomplished on the repeal & replace debacle; or the border wall paid by Mexico fantasy; or the disaster that was not one but two travel bans aimed at Muslims, etc.
Your remarks are patently absurd.
3
Mr. Trump daily reinforces my belief that he is ignorant and unprepared for the presidency. He enjoys the campaigning, but governing is not his forte. Meanwhile, the American people are at risk because he has no coherent policy, no strategy on Syria or anything else except as it applies to increasing business profits--his own. His low approval numbers show the picture very clearly. Even Republicans are nervous.
5
Despite the gravity of the situation, “It crossed a lot of lines for me,” is an SNL parody in the making because Trump’s gravitas lacks both depth and conviction. The man won’t reveal his Syria plan because he so obviously needs “to conceal the absence of a plan.” Remember the ISIS plan that was supposed to be completed within 30 days of him taking office?
More annoyingly, Trump keeps validating his lack of a coherent Middle East strategy by talking about our military’s deliberate and repeated public announcements about its plan to recapture Mosul in stages over an extended period of time, while trying to save as many civilian lives as possible with those announcements. And the plan, which began to be executed several months ago prior to Trump’s inauguration, is working quite well with over half the city being retaken from ISIS control. But we all expect him to take credit for it after Mosul is liberated and claim it to be his new ISIS plan that worked?
Meanwhile violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red lines are being crossed all over Syria “after the Trump administration shockingly signaled a softer stance on President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, Assad…” And, Trump won’t reveal his hand because he is fascinated by the rainbow??!
More annoyingly, Trump keeps validating his lack of a coherent Middle East strategy by talking about our military’s deliberate and repeated public announcements about its plan to recapture Mosul in stages over an extended period of time, while trying to save as many civilian lives as possible with those announcements. And the plan, which began to be executed several months ago prior to Trump’s inauguration, is working quite well with over half the city being retaken from ISIS control. But we all expect him to take credit for it after Mosul is liberated and claim it to be his new ISIS plan that worked?
Meanwhile violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red lines are being crossed all over Syria “after the Trump administration shockingly signaled a softer stance on President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, Assad…” And, Trump won’t reveal his hand because he is fascinated by the rainbow??!
4
I too, am racked with anxiety. A sitting President who is being investigated, potentially for treason, has the ability to begin a conflict prior to the conclusion of the investigation. Trump is the master of mis-direction, and little else. What could be his master stroke is a new war with Korea or a move into Syria, Iran, Russia to keep the people's eyes off the all.
5
Trump continues to be shocked to learn things that even school children know (such as the fact that the Russians were already in the Ukraine when he said they wouldn't be going in; or that health care is complicated). He can quote the poor reviews of his restaurant in Vanity Fair though. Let's hope democracy can survive him.
Donald Trump put the "creep" in creeping towards crisis.
2
I do not know if President Trump scares Xi Jinping or Kim Jong un but he sure as heck scares us little people. it is scary having Trump in charge of the military and nuceular codes!
Concealing the absence of a plan. Sounds familiar.
Trump is a disaster. But the GOP is worse. They prefer to rule rather than govern. They are the party of no new ideas.
Trump is a disaster. But the GOP is worse. They prefer to rule rather than govern. They are the party of no new ideas.
4
It's situations like this that I just can't empathize with Kristol's plea to empathize with Trump followers. We're all in perpetual danger because of the directionless rage from a minority of the electorate.
5
I am a Navy veteran of our involvement in Lebanon in the 1980's. Assad, like his father, is a Russian surrogate. Trump is a well-documented Russian surrogate. There can be no military strike on Syria without Russian permission. Given his ties to Putin, Trump can only rant and rave against the Syrians.
yeah its like this guy thinks being elected President just means you go and have a blast and ward off annoying questions about policy the best you can.
4
This isn't the time for recriminations. We are here. The most powerful country in the world headed by a dangerously unbalanced man-child. The republican party cares more about cutting taxes for the wealthy and taking away the safety net for the poor, than it cares about saving America and the world. This isn't the time to criticize them. They are nothing, nothing at all. We are in emergency mode and all of us with two eyes and a functioning brain and a decent morality, we all need to do whatever is in our power to stop this runaway train.
5
How odd the latest photos of the President in the Oval. When he is not behind a desk, signing, or a rostrum, speechifying, we see him on the edge of his chair. As if he is thinking, "Feet, don't fail me now."
1
This is not a defense of Trump ot its presidency, vut a critique to all the liberals who are criticizing Trump for almost the exact same things Obama did or fail to do when it comes to foreign policy.
Who set the red line to be a chemical attack and later not act on it?
Who failed, time and again, to determine Putin's real intentions and interests and was led to foolishly believe Russia was with America (and never apologized to Romney for mocking him)?
Who put in place the policy of waiting to see what happened in North Korea?
Who complained about the economic mess left by the Bush administration for 8 years (pretty much what Trump is doing now with the Syrian situation)?
It surprises me over and over how liberals never see the faults of their own or on what they do, yet they're incredibly fast when it comes to lecturing, criticizing or judging others.
Who set the red line to be a chemical attack and later not act on it?
Who failed, time and again, to determine Putin's real intentions and interests and was led to foolishly believe Russia was with America (and never apologized to Romney for mocking him)?
Who put in place the policy of waiting to see what happened in North Korea?
Who complained about the economic mess left by the Bush administration for 8 years (pretty much what Trump is doing now with the Syrian situation)?
It surprises me over and over how liberals never see the faults of their own or on what they do, yet they're incredibly fast when it comes to lecturing, criticizing or judging others.
28
Obama's failures in Syria are well-documented (and he had admitted to this being one of the areas where he failed to respond quickly enough). But foreign policy is linear - leaders need to recognize mistakes and seek to learn from them going forward. It's not about keeping score about past failures - it's about building on past successes and learning to right past wrongs. The current President's inattention to history and lack of any real discernible policy objectives is what is most troubling.
5
You do know, of course, that Obama went to Congress for concurrence with invading Syria? He received no reply.
8
Apples vs oranges.
6
With Trump as President, it is impossible to predict where our country will be in one day, one week, one month or one year. Trump does not care about taking this job seriously. He shows no interest in learning the ins and out of global international tensions, capitalizing on the benefits of using staff from the State Department who are stationed around the world, or nurturing allies in this hemisphere or across the oceans. Trump also doesn't care to dig in to fully understand the basis for key domestic policies such as health care insurance, immigration, and environmental protection (to name just a few).
Instead, we are stuck with someone who reads very little, has even less patience with anyone who does not suck up to him, and who spends a strong part of each day watching Fox News or other cable stations.
God help us all here and throughout the world.
Instead, we are stuck with someone who reads very little, has even less patience with anyone who does not suck up to him, and who spends a strong part of each day watching Fox News or other cable stations.
God help us all here and throughout the world.
229
I am so curious as to what the world's real leaders say about him behind closed doors. It would make great reality TV. The best, believe me.
1
This is a weak and ineffective president. Given what he says he wants to do, maybe that's a good thing.
2
Our president and his administration are not equipped or qualified to handle big crisis. So many Deputy secretary positions are vacant and the administration does have so many important positions are not filled even those do not need congressional approval. We have to pray hard that big crisis should not come on us.
1
And after Trump has spent his first few weeks in office, ( and his entire life really) proving he is an idiotic con-man, millions of people still follow him. This says some very scary things about human behavior. Or the behavior of some humans. People are not all the same - there is no truer statement in all of Psychology.
5
It occurs to me that even after the Iranian-militia-in-Syria issue is explained to Trump, he still won't understand. He simply is not very smart, and he doesn't grasp concepts outside his immediate area of interest: himself. He doesn't have any intellectual curiosity. He's made no effort to educate himself since taking office. I imagine him sitting at a conference table, surrounded by generals, and policy analysts and the secretaries of this and that, and he's doodling on a piece of paper while they talk over his head. Finally, he looks up and makes a remark totally unrelated to the topic being discussed, the others just stare at him, he goes back to doodling and they continue to discuss policy. That's my view of the Trump presidency at work. He's not provided much reason to believe my vision is incorrect.
5
Is it not rational to believe we will see President Trump order a major preemptive strike 'somewhere' that will change our country and the world evermore? Will the generals obey him? Will responsible Republicans preempt him? What are they waiting for?
2
The problems with Trump are many, the most glaring of which have been on full display the past few days: he doesn't know what he doesn't know, he cannot admit error, he refuses to back down, and failure is always the fault of someone else.
Our so-called president is upset that no one told him it was improper to elevate Bannon to principals only meetings of the NSC, but rather than immediately reverse his order, Trump allowed Bannon to remain until McMaster insisted that he go or McMaster would resign.
Trump still does not understand that his words have real life consequences: Assad unleashed sarin gas on his own people because Trump indicated US policy was nonintervention; following the attack, Trump blamed Obama. Rather thank rely on the smart well-seasoned civil servants at the state department, Trump has allowed Bannon to "deconstruct the deep state" and basically fired people who could have been helpful to Trump's novice Secretary of State and to others in the Administration in the formation of policy. And Trump has placed extraordinary power in a 36 year old with absolutely no experience other than running a family real estate business. This administration is in need of an intervention.
Our so-called president is upset that no one told him it was improper to elevate Bannon to principals only meetings of the NSC, but rather than immediately reverse his order, Trump allowed Bannon to remain until McMaster insisted that he go or McMaster would resign.
Trump still does not understand that his words have real life consequences: Assad unleashed sarin gas on his own people because Trump indicated US policy was nonintervention; following the attack, Trump blamed Obama. Rather thank rely on the smart well-seasoned civil servants at the state department, Trump has allowed Bannon to "deconstruct the deep state" and basically fired people who could have been helpful to Trump's novice Secretary of State and to others in the Administration in the formation of policy. And Trump has placed extraordinary power in a 36 year old with absolutely no experience other than running a family real estate business. This administration is in need of an intervention.
4
Charles is seeing things pretty clearly as far as Trump goes. I think he still credits Trump with more direction than he really has. He's just going in circles, his world designed by his last meeting.
Who knows what his view will be after he meets with Chairman Xi Jinping? I'd guess Xi Jinping has developed a few interactional skills over his rise to power, and Trump will be putty in his hands.
Of course, following the meeting Trump will meet with his entourage and change view, again.
Who knows what his view will be after he meets with Chairman Xi Jinping? I'd guess Xi Jinping has developed a few interactional skills over his rise to power, and Trump will be putty in his hands.
Of course, following the meeting Trump will meet with his entourage and change view, again.
2
Trump himself “crossed a lot of lines for me” over his many decades as a swindler, a philanderer, and a predator, and his recent career as a demagogic candidate and a lying, ignorant, and incompetent president.
Given his abysmal record across the board, I could never have supported him. How his despicable words and deeds didn’t cross the line for millions of voters still sticks in my craw and will be the enduring shame of our nation.
The question now is: Has he crossed the line for those public servants who have the duty and power to stand up to this poor excuse for a president and his badly staffed, nepotistic administration? The time for Congress to act in the best interest of the country’s safety and well-being is NOW.
Given his abysmal record across the board, I could never have supported him. How his despicable words and deeds didn’t cross the line for millions of voters still sticks in my craw and will be the enduring shame of our nation.
The question now is: Has he crossed the line for those public servants who have the duty and power to stand up to this poor excuse for a president and his badly staffed, nepotistic administration? The time for Congress to act in the best interest of the country’s safety and well-being is NOW.
3
Anyone who studies large disasters will tell you that they are made up of smaller mistakes combined with the right circumstances. This failing administration is barely 3 months old and has already made a lot of mistakes within changing global circumstances that are becoming ever more unstable by the minute.
1
Trump is a unifier, bringing together two key groups that just do not care about the future of the country or the world.
One group consists of core voters who are so angry that they just want to pull the edifice down in an orgy of self-destruction.
The other groups consists of GOP Congressmen and elected officials throughout the states, who are pursuing one or a few special interest agendas, bought and paid for big donors -- and all they care about is what they can grab for themselves and their crony capitalist friends right now.
All of us are doomed, but the supporters don't know it ... yet.
One group consists of core voters who are so angry that they just want to pull the edifice down in an orgy of self-destruction.
The other groups consists of GOP Congressmen and elected officials throughout the states, who are pursuing one or a few special interest agendas, bought and paid for big donors -- and all they care about is what they can grab for themselves and their crony capitalist friends right now.
All of us are doomed, but the supporters don't know it ... yet.
2
trump is so clearly an ignoramus, and it seems ridiculous that there's anyone out there who still could believe he knows anything of what he does.
Not only does this put us in danger on many fronts, it also has served to make the US a laughingstock. Our (the US's) image and stance in the world have pretty much done a 180 in just a couple of months.
Not only does this put us in danger on many fronts, it also has served to make the US a laughingstock. Our (the US's) image and stance in the world have pretty much done a 180 in just a couple of months.
1
He will bring us into a military confrontation simply via misunderstanding a communique or a comprehension error.
That's how it will happen.
That's how it will happen.
3
Is it not true that people have already died in Syria because Assad is testing Trump?
If the world gets through the next four years unscathed, it will be by blind luck. And blind luck is not how this country should be managed.
2
And yet, we read that only 3% of citizens who voted for Trump would change their vote.
1
Mr. Blow, I totally appreciate and share your perspective on the state of our country today. But what can ordinary, decent people do about it?
1
While Trump offhandedly expresses extreme shock at what happened to babies who are gassed, at the same time he wants to ban the survivors who in grave danger from being admitted as refugees into the US. He is also not shocked when explosive bombs are dropped on their residences, killing and maiming hundreds of innocents. Selective outrage cannot be rational policy.
2
Well said - you've articulated our fears clearly. What used to be a vague unease is now becoming very real - there is no plan because there is no guiding ideology. Will share your article, Mr. Blow, because, as always, it has a chance to teach.
29
To the EB: Thus far, it appears that 99 percent of the comments r anti Trump, and not one expresses another point of view. Unfair. I am critical of President, but for other reasons, having to do with the crassness of his daughter and son in law who flaunt their wealth while his dirt poor constituents, those who put The Donald, as the NY media was first to call him in office, and for whom the greatest gift was a return phone call,must suffer cuts in social welfare programs. Also called attention to puerile name calling by , I presume, liberal academics who have never accepted results of election, and defeat of perhaps the least interesting and most devious candidate in our politcal history. Above all, I called attention in my comments to the lack of compassion and altruism of his elder sons,who engage in canned hunting, cruel and crude. If they want action, they should have joined the army, or written to "Soldier of Fortune" to become part of a mercenary intake, hired soldiers, a real test of stamina. Comments r not wordy and well thought out. Please consider them for publication.
2
A small point, but it was his first wife, Ivana, who called him The Donald, and the media picked up on it.
so weird
You're bothered by the crassness of Ivanka and Jared Kushner but not by others with formal positions in the administration? Or Trump himself? He's the one that sold himself as a person who understands the plight of people living in areas with dying industries which are largely beyond saving at this point. Surely that crassness is more cutting than the aesthetic sense of privilege displayed by the Kushners.
2
Mr. Blow, you keep huffing and puffing. It must kill you to wake up to this Presidency daily. But saying things over and over doesn't change them. The world is more dangerous yes, but I voted for this Pres. because I trust him in security. It's the right time.
3
Marti: If you still trust him, you're just not paying attention.
5
It kills me...but, not for the reasons you suggest. This man is totally inept and unqualified for this office. Turning loose someone this ignorant and naive on the world stage is a very scary proposition...we can and should do better as a nation.
1
Was it his deference to Putin that convinced you? Or his utter lack of any experience, declaring that he can sense terrorist attacks, and that he knows more than the generals?
It's like how I knew he'd be tough on China as soon as I learned that Ivanka and Melania both have their wares made there, no doubt due to the low wages, rather than by Americans at home.
(Plays theme from "The Twilight Zone")
It's like how I knew he'd be tough on China as soon as I learned that Ivanka and Melania both have their wares made there, no doubt due to the low wages, rather than by Americans at home.
(Plays theme from "The Twilight Zone")
1
"Who knew" health care was so complicated? I've "changed my opinion" about al-Assad".
I'm sure there will plenty more revelations as our so-called president bumps into one unexpected reality after another. I hope for all our sakes that he doesn't find out the hard way that China sees N. Korea as a buffer state and would not look too kindly on a US attack on it.
If there's a next time, let's elect a president who reads.
I'm sure there will plenty more revelations as our so-called president bumps into one unexpected reality after another. I hope for all our sakes that he doesn't find out the hard way that China sees N. Korea as a buffer state and would not look too kindly on a US attack on it.
If there's a next time, let's elect a president who reads.
88
If there's a next time, let's elect a president with a brain. A heart would be nice, too.
2
The white hot hysteria surrounding Trump and 2016 election and the alleged Russian interference is now impinging on alleged chemical attack in Syria. The rush to judgment is astounding. These major news outlets in the US are screaming for a full scale effort to attack Assad which is unspeakably dangerous because of the potential for direct confrontation with Russia. Trump certainly is scandalously unqualified to lead the country. But the NYTs could at least wait until an investigation into the attack in Syria is done before offering up its advice.
7
What rush to judgment are you talking about? The UN and various other independent authorities have shown beyond any reasonable doubt that the Syrian government uses and has used chemical weapons. There's nothing "alleged" about it. Also, what "major news outlets" are screaming for an attack? I'm not aware of any.
1
The time for discussion is before actions are taken, c harris, not after. Especially with an incompetent government "investigating" as it wishes to. If our presidential election, and all that hangs on it (not only this issue, but others of grave import) was engineered by foreign agents or enemies, that is not something to ignore until after whatever current "investigation" (by whom, really?) is complete. That demands our attention at once. And the press does not work for the government here.
2
After the gas attacks in 2013, Obama worked with the Russians to remove all of these banned substances from Syria. It makes no difference who did this, but it is clear that Russia has responsibility! Trump has to make contact with his handlers in the Kremlin and tell them to back off! No one need attack Assad!!
1
He's not creeping, he's tumbling head over heels, and we're all in his way.
The only places he feels at home are at his golf courses or homes far from the White House-- places where it is guaranteed that everyone will toady to him, and he can insulate himself from reality.
He wanted the golden ring, then discovered it was too, too heavy to wear. Yet he still seeks to blame Obama and Clinton at every opportunity - for what? For the Presidential burden he didn't anticipate?
We really are in trouble here.
The only places he feels at home are at his golf courses or homes far from the White House-- places where it is guaranteed that everyone will toady to him, and he can insulate himself from reality.
He wanted the golden ring, then discovered it was too, too heavy to wear. Yet he still seeks to blame Obama and Clinton at every opportunity - for what? For the Presidential burden he didn't anticipate?
We really are in trouble here.
136
If you live in NY City or Wash DC you may want to move out of the blast zone. I believe this idiot will lobby nukes at NKorea and they will somehow destroy a major city or two. The man-child with the keys to the nuclear arsenal will get many americans killed very soon. Get out while you can.
32
Actually, LA is a more realistic (reachable) target of N. Korea.
7
Although your basic argument may be sound, your geography is way off. If North Korea is able to launch a nuclear weapon capable of hitting us, NY and DC are not in the blast zone. LA is far more likely to be hit.
Actually my home in Honolulu, HI is very reachable!
From North Korea it is 4492 miles via Great Circle.
To Los Angeles is 5,700 miles.
As yet N. Korea does not have any rocket or missile that can reach anything close to this distance.
From North Korea it is 4492 miles via Great Circle.
To Los Angeles is 5,700 miles.
As yet N. Korea does not have any rocket or missile that can reach anything close to this distance.
1
If Trump really cared about "little foreign babies" being murdered, he wouldn't have slashed AID funding for women't health.
The hypocrite sticks foot in mouth again.
The hypocrite sticks foot in mouth again.
110
SusanS--...or suggest that we should kill the families of all terrorists. Or, murder 8 children, under the age of 15, in Yemen, including an American girl, age 8. A fine humanitarian, and peace seeker. He'll go down in history.
3
Trump on the Syrian gas attack:
“I do change. And I am flexible. and I’m proud of that flexibility. And I will tell you, that attack on children yesterday had a big impact on me. Big impact. That was a horrible, horrible thing. And I’ve been watching it and seeing it, and it doesn’t get any worse than that. And I have that flexibility, and it’s very, very possible, and I will tell you, it’s already happened, that my attitude toward Syria and Assad has changed very much.”
On the surface this is supposed to be a statement expressing empathy or compassion for the victims. Look at the words carefully, however. This statement, like everything else he says is about one thing only - himself. He talks about his ability to change, his flexibility, the impact on him, his pride, he has been watching and his attitude; the children are mentioned just once. This guy has no locus of attention outside of himself. Even discussing a situation like this he is incapable of talking about anything but himself. A good leader must have some ability to empathize, a quality that appears to be totally lacking in Trump. That’s really, really not good, at all, in a person who is going to be making decisions about things like people’s health care, minority rights, worker protections, consumer protection, and the social safety net. Think about his decision-making if it comes to putting our military personnel in harm’s way. It’s all about how it impacts him. Sad. Very, very sad.
“I do change. And I am flexible. and I’m proud of that flexibility. And I will tell you, that attack on children yesterday had a big impact on me. Big impact. That was a horrible, horrible thing. And I’ve been watching it and seeing it, and it doesn’t get any worse than that. And I have that flexibility, and it’s very, very possible, and I will tell you, it’s already happened, that my attitude toward Syria and Assad has changed very much.”
On the surface this is supposed to be a statement expressing empathy or compassion for the victims. Look at the words carefully, however. This statement, like everything else he says is about one thing only - himself. He talks about his ability to change, his flexibility, the impact on him, his pride, he has been watching and his attitude; the children are mentioned just once. This guy has no locus of attention outside of himself. Even discussing a situation like this he is incapable of talking about anything but himself. A good leader must have some ability to empathize, a quality that appears to be totally lacking in Trump. That’s really, really not good, at all, in a person who is going to be making decisions about things like people’s health care, minority rights, worker protections, consumer protection, and the social safety net. Think about his decision-making if it comes to putting our military personnel in harm’s way. It’s all about how it impacts him. Sad. Very, very sad.
When you put a five year-old in charge of a major world power you may get what Mr. Blow describes. Alternating hope that he will soon be gone by whatever means, and fear that he, his family and his cabinet will totally deplete the US Treasury before they hasten our destruction with filthy air, water, and inedible food, leave me mostly "very, very afraid," (Paul Krugman's unforgettable words.)
62
It's a good thing President Trump is so big, because he's going to be had for breakfast, lunch, and supper by the leaders of other countries.
http://thefamilyproperty.blogspot.jp/
http://thefamilyproperty.blogspot.jp/
30
"he's going to be had for breakfast, lunch, and supper by the leaders of other countries"
They're going to have to go big on Tums. Trump may be a lightweight, in most matters, but he's a heavyweight when it comes to revenge.
They're going to have to go big on Tums. Trump may be a lightweight, in most matters, but he's a heavyweight when it comes to revenge.
1
Charles, please have mercy on poor old man Trump! The sharp knives are out in the oval office, and someone recently said that the only way Bannon can assure his White House job now is to marry Tiffany!
You just can't expect a lot from poor Donald: Russian spies under every desk and government agencies begging him for some policy decisions, and in the middle of this his Trump Modeling agency in NYC is failing. Gonna be another stupid bad day for America!!!
http://www.refinery29.com/2017/04/147683/trump-models-rumor-anti-managem...
You just can't expect a lot from poor Donald: Russian spies under every desk and government agencies begging him for some policy decisions, and in the middle of this his Trump Modeling agency in NYC is failing. Gonna be another stupid bad day for America!!!
http://www.refinery29.com/2017/04/147683/trump-models-rumor-anti-managem...
15
According to recent polling, Trump supporters continue to believe he is doing what they wanted him to do. If his efforts fail, it's someone else's fault, including Obama, Freedom Caucus, lying liberal press, incompetent intelligence, etc. With the exception of a few honest patriots like John McCain, the rest of the GOP cannot bring itself to oppose Trump's rolling disaster of an administration. And now, with crises coming to a boil in Asia and the Middle East, and in his own administration, Trump is stumped.
41
Except, remember when McCain tried to put know-nothing Palin (the female Trump) a heartbeat away from the Presidency? Then, after Trump gets the nomination, he fell in line behind this Mussolini-wanna be? Hopefully he is remembering now what real patriotism is, but it was people like him that help Trump's assault on democracy become real.
1
Having survived the Civil War, the Depression. Pearl Harbor, World Wars
I and II, Korea, the Cuban Missile crisis, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and 9-11, I tend to be fairly optimistic about this good country's ability to muddle through periods of crisis and even to be strengthened by them; but this time I have my doubts.
This man is an unstable ignoramus who needs to be watched carefully by his family and any reponsible people who happen to be around him; starting with Gen. Mattis who I hope has already deflated Trump's nuclear football.
I and II, Korea, the Cuban Missile crisis, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and 9-11, I tend to be fairly optimistic about this good country's ability to muddle through periods of crisis and even to be strengthened by them; but this time I have my doubts.
This man is an unstable ignoramus who needs to be watched carefully by his family and any reponsible people who happen to be around him; starting with Gen. Mattis who I hope has already deflated Trump's nuclear football.
49
Think of Trump as a planet and his staff, including the cabinet as moons revolving around Trump. Each moon represents a different domestic or foreign issue and each are totally unqualified to deal with these issues. Moon Flynn has been fired, moon Bannon has been demoted, minor issues in the scheme of things. Until Planet Trump disappears, the moons will continue to revolve leaving paths of destruction in their wake.
I know this is a simple way to diagram what's happening, but it works for me.
I know this is a simple way to diagram what's happening, but it works for me.
12
Mr. Blow, President Trump is our president whether or not you like him. He won the electoral college vote which decides the outcome of the presidency. I think you better just admit your candidate, Hillary Clinton lost and move on.
Let's not even set the bar so high as to 'solve' these intractable problems. Let's just say 'navigate' them short of a regional war or worse. He's incapable of any of it! The monumental mistake was made on 11/8. We aren't getting free of it unscathed. It's going to get rough.
4
What is is going to take for our Congress to realize that this man isn't intellectually capable of DOING THE JOB?
This isn't a potential national emergency...we're already THERE.
I'd feel safer in an airplane with a rhesus monkey in the cockpit.
This isn't a potential national emergency...we're already THERE.
I'd feel safer in an airplane with a rhesus monkey in the cockpit.
53
"The King of Chaos isn’t suited for the steady navigation of crisis." Well said....
24
Pride. One of the seven deadly sins. One that conservatives seem most to suffer from.
Keep in mind that the seven deadly sins are not deadly to the sinners. They are deadly to the rest of us.
Keep in mind that the seven deadly sins are not deadly to the sinners. They are deadly to the rest of us.
15
Well, pride is one sin.
45 exhibits all of them: sloth, greed, gluttony, lust, pride, envy, wrath.
Which one will it be that gets us all killed?
45 exhibits all of them: sloth, greed, gluttony, lust, pride, envy, wrath.
Which one will it be that gets us all killed?
1
The Russians are correct to point out that there is no objective evidence that the Assad government used chemical weapons. It has been known since 2013 that Al Nusra has and has used chemical weapons.
Where did the Al Nusra people get these weapons? Not from the Syrian government, not from Russia, not from Iran. From where?
The Caliphate has brand new Toyota pickup trucks (and brand new Adidas). Where did they get the Toyotas from? Not from the Syrian government, not from Russia, not from Iran. They must have been shipped from Japan. What port did they arrive at? To whom were they delivered?
The US (Trump) and Israel (Netanyahu) are quick to blame Assad without evidence. I've read a dozen articles in the US/Israel/Iranian press blaming Assad and calling for more war. I am not so sure.
Where did the Al Nusra people get these weapons? Not from the Syrian government, not from Russia, not from Iran. From where?
The Caliphate has brand new Toyota pickup trucks (and brand new Adidas). Where did they get the Toyotas from? Not from the Syrian government, not from Russia, not from Iran. They must have been shipped from Japan. What port did they arrive at? To whom were they delivered?
The US (Trump) and Israel (Netanyahu) are quick to blame Assad without evidence. I've read a dozen articles in the US/Israel/Iranian press blaming Assad and calling for more war. I am not so sure.
6
The UN commission on WMD confirmed absolutely that it was Assad"s weapons. There was a chemical footprint.
Are you a "conservative", or just Russian?
Are you a "conservative", or just Russian?
Have you read anywhere of Assad attempting to stop the utter destruction of the Syrian people and his own country?
1
The ignorance of trump is nothing compared to the blind eye obama turned, allowing thousands of hezbollah fighterd and shia militias from all over the region, to help assad massacre the Syrian people, just to get Iran sign a stupid nuclear deal. Obama failed humanity after the chemical massacre assad did in 2013, which resulted in more than a million deaths and millions of refugees.
All of trump tweeting about schwartzneger and others will never hurt humanity like obama did.
All of trump tweeting about schwartzneger and others will never hurt humanity like obama did.
4
I realize that the USA has in the past been deemed the protector and military for the entire world. Having said that, President Obama was horrified by the Assad regime's decision to use gas on his own people. That red line comment was unfortunate as it will haunt him for his lifetime. I would suggest to you that he inherited 2 messes in the Middle East and did not want American lives at risk on the ground in a country with such turmoil. Many Americans feel that the Middle East should take care of itself and the West should steer clear. (While those photos of this most recent attack are sickening and shocking; many of us are worried about the bigger picture for the USA--a war with Russia and Iran on Syrian soil.
1
That's right...you want the USA to stop meddling in your part of the world, but everything bad that happens there is our fault. That's rich!
Any decent business person knows that Obama's failings, whatever they may be have to be considered a "sunk cost". Agree or disagree, success or failure, what's done is done. What are you going to do NOW Mr. President?
Before the 'simpleton' got elected, the genius had 8 years to solve all the problems.
6
Yes, because no single person can fix all that ails the world.
With total obstruction by a Republican Congress for 6 of those 8 years. Amazing he was able to accomplish anything.
3
You mean the problems that were largely created during the eight years BEFORE the genius?
3
God help us all.
9
We keep blaming everybody but the Pope for Trump's ignorance and ineptitude but the only one to blame is "we the people". Every individual citizen of this country is at fault for not assuming his responsibilities as member of the society we live in. We let big money distort the very definition of democracy. How could we? Look around the world we are the most privileged amongst all nations. And yet we continue to whine that we don't have enough as we watch the news on the cable. We elected the best buffoon for leader of the circus we have become.
Here's where Trump's ignorant bluster can get people killed. Will that be enough to diminish support among his adoring mob? Unfortunately, unlikely.
10
Trump supporters are in the minority. If you feel like this is the fight of your life, and it probably is, get involved in every way possible. Let your representatives hear from you. Get involved in resisting. It is working, however slowly.
1
Other physicians as well as myself believe that it is very likely that Trump is mentally unstable, or clinically ill.
Arguing for 'more sensible policy', if this is the case, will make no difference. He is who he is.
The Congress should require a professional, non-political, non-partisan mental health assessment of the President. Let the chips fall where they may. If he is mentally competent to fill his office, then we can argue about policy.
Arguing for 'more sensible policy', if this is the case, will make no difference. He is who he is.
The Congress should require a professional, non-political, non-partisan mental health assessment of the President. Let the chips fall where they may. If he is mentally competent to fill his office, then we can argue about policy.
17
sjosephmd, and while Congress is at it (re health) let's take a look at his tax returns as well.
1
Mr Blow writes accurately at fever pitch about the pronounced flaws of Donald Trump. But Donald Trump was, as a long-time prominent businessman, TV personality and participant of year-long debates, probably the best-known and most familiar of any candidate for president in America. The media covered his rallies incessantly and every word and gesture was televised. Yet some 63 million American voted for him. The truth is that Trump did not come from the planet Zirkon nor from the Kremlin. He is a true-born son of American society and nothing said about him, good or bad, cannot be said about America. There is little to gain in understanding Trump but there is existential wisdom in understanding the nation from which he came, for its own sake.
15
This is rich coming from someone in Germany. Or, have the lessons you've learned in your history already been lost?
The problem isn't only an American one, it is a human one.
Wach mal auf.
The problem isn't only an American one, it is a human one.
Wach mal auf.
1
I think Trump is the perfect metaphor of where we are as a country. We are a reality TV obsessed culture who talks big, but we don't want to do the work. We don't want to vet people, research policy, understand global issues or even understand how our own government works. I saw a stat that said only 2% of high school students could pass the citizen test. We are suspicious and disdainful of expertise, calling it elitist. A functioning democracy needs an engaged, knowledgeable populace and that we don't have. I expressed shock and amazement that Gary Johnson was running for president and did not know what Aleppo was, but you know what? Neither do most Americans. So here we are, falling prey to all manner of charlatans and carnival cryers. We are exactly where we deserve to be.
29
Agreed. As a former New Yorker I've had Trump on my radar for decades and my takeaway has been and continues to be that he is the archetypical blowhard in class who didn't read the book, but thinks he can wing it during his oral report.
Unfortunately Trump seems to represent a wide swath of our neighbors in the good, old US of A who admire bluster and bombast over smarts and substance. Complex problems and issues can not be solved with easy, half-informed (often uninformed) answers.
Do your homework, Mr. Trump!
Unfortunately Trump seems to represent a wide swath of our neighbors in the good, old US of A who admire bluster and bombast over smarts and substance. Complex problems and issues can not be solved with easy, half-informed (often uninformed) answers.
Do your homework, Mr. Trump!
5
Speak for yourself, buddy. I don't want to die in a nuclear fire storm.
1
Nicely written, thoughtful and thoroughly frightening. Don is indeed a Con.
14
Trumps greatest appeal to his voters was his intellect, they could relate to him on an intellectual level. His lack of intelligence was so obvious, they ignored his station in life, his wealth and his gilded lifestyle. He has the same appeal as George Bush, the bumbling regular high school drop out kind of guy.
He is not very intelligent, he may be smart or shrewd in his own way but he is not a very smart man. Stupid is as stupid does, to expect anymore from him would not be very wise. Until congress decides to do it's job, we are all at the mercy of ignorance.
He is not very intelligent, he may be smart or shrewd in his own way but he is not a very smart man. Stupid is as stupid does, to expect anymore from him would not be very wise. Until congress decides to do it's job, we are all at the mercy of ignorance.
19
The sharks are circling and there's blood in the water. Every world leader, friend or foe, can see through this charade. There is chaos in this administration with no plan or strategy to guide us. I fear it is only a matter of time before our sons and daughters are sacrificed at the altar of Donald's ego.
15
Charles, you know that war is what Republicans do. Its just a matter of time.
12
Maybe "Fix Syria" can be added to Jared Kushner's "To Do" list.
16
What's scarier? The idea Trump isn't briefed on important things? Or that he was but forgot?
The GOP Trumpists can't wait for a major crisis to divert this country's attention from the blatant evidence of their treasonous complicity with Russia in stealing the election and destroying the constitution!!! If it doesn't happen as a direct result of their incompetence, they'll manufacture it. It is only a matter of time.
11
Trumpbots are attacking Rosie O'Donnell for saying electing Trump is like 9/11, because he hasn't killed anyone. Tell that to the people of Yemen, Syria, and one American family - so far.
8
I don't blame the Trump voters. Most of them were ready to be conned by the great bankrupt in chief. They are walking targets for con men and have been all their lives.
But the third party voters cannot be forgiven. They knew better! But they couldn't make a rational decision. They were either unreasonable petulant pouters or easily influenced by Karl Rove/ Vladimir Putin propaganda. They decided a pointless vote for Gary "What's Aleppo" Johnson or the clueless Jill Stein was the way to go for them.
My goodness, will the planet survive the hapless "Green Party"? How much more damage can they do?
But the third party voters cannot be forgiven. They knew better! But they couldn't make a rational decision. They were either unreasonable petulant pouters or easily influenced by Karl Rove/ Vladimir Putin propaganda. They decided a pointless vote for Gary "What's Aleppo" Johnson or the clueless Jill Stein was the way to go for them.
My goodness, will the planet survive the hapless "Green Party"? How much more damage can they do?
15
I agree with Mr. Blow's summation of Trump and it also scares me . I suspect most of us who read the NY Times or Wash Post or other legitimate news sources feel the same.
However, what scares me even more are the 20 to 30 million hard core Trump supporters, who still see no problem, who believe that Trump has already accomplished great things and who get agitated at any person, institution or media outlet who says otherwise. Constant agitation turns to anger which many times turns to violence.
Trump might ultimately be forced out of office, but who will be the next Trump? Is he just an anomaly? Somehow, I don't think so.
However, what scares me even more are the 20 to 30 million hard core Trump supporters, who still see no problem, who believe that Trump has already accomplished great things and who get agitated at any person, institution or media outlet who says otherwise. Constant agitation turns to anger which many times turns to violence.
Trump might ultimately be forced out of office, but who will be the next Trump? Is he just an anomaly? Somehow, I don't think so.
16
By now, ost of the public, including the non-hard-right media, is onto Lyin' Donnie's M.O. of manufacturing falsehoods to distract us from getting to the bottom of his lies and compromising entanglements with the Russians.
Consequently, every single word that comes out of Donnie's lying mouth is a variation on "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."
Consequently, every single word that comes out of Donnie's lying mouth is a variation on "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."
7
There's a phrase, "judge me not by my words but my actions". For Trump it could be judge me not by words but my actions...or inaction. Either way, pay little attention to the words, as they signify nothing.
I'm amazed how many people don't seem terrified about other nations trying to attack us while our government is a complete mess. Every single enemy of the USA must be sensing this is their opportunity and the idea of Trump being in charge of our defense doesn't make me feel safe.
I keep hoping he'll become so bored with the job that he steps down before inflicting lasting harm on the United States and the rest of the world. That moment cannot come soon enough.
9
I don't think he's bored. He enjoys flitting down to Florida to show off his estate to whatever world leader wants to get an up close and personal look at the man who is bringing down America and with us, a good many other countries.
1
Mr. Blow, thank you for your columns; you speak when others do not have the words to express how stunned and frightened we are that trump and his cronies are in the White House and on the world stage. trump is staggering and bumbling his way toward disaster, and the world is watching. No one but ourselves can save us -- the republicans don't care; they just want their tax cuts for the rich. 2018 cannot get here fast enough.
9
Amen to that. I am very, very afraid. I try not to feel overwhelmed, but on days like this, it's hard. The part in the column that describes Mr. Trump's response to the reporter's question, is absolutely terrifying. Yet, every day I try to do something - keep the pressure up, try to keep my senators and representatives aware that I, and millions of people like me, are watching their votes, watching their behavior, watching their commitment to reclaiming our democracy. There is a tremendous amount of energy out there. I believe the American people can turn this ship of state around - if only it doesn't sink before we reset its course.
I haven't been this scared since the duck-and-cover days when we cowered under our desks.
9
"Trump is full of pride, obsessed with strongman personas, and absent of historical and geopolitical perspective." This phrase can define his voters - shockingly ill-informed, historically obtuse, and inflated with bluster. Don't define this as Trump's illness; it is America's educational failure, and he is merely the rash that has erupted.
New Yorkers overwhelmingly voted against Trump in 2016 because they know from years of experience that he is a charlatan and a self-promoting egomaniac. Much of Middle America voted for Trump because they know him from his reality television shows persona and believed his used car salesman promises. There is nothing from his experience or character that makes him qualified to be the president of the United States of America.
Where are the moderate Republicans? How can they support the evil Trump and the alt-right are doing? Shame on them, they need to actually put the good of the country above the good of the oligarchs.
8
One wonders what leaders of other countries must think when they too, as surely they must do, ask questions the so-called president cannot answer. He represents you and me, and it is indeed mortifying and terrifying.
Is it not now time for a Committee of Wise Elders to make their visit to the Oval Office to inform our "knows not that he knows not" president to vacate his office?
13
I share your worries and concerns. My greatest fear being Trump will start a war (any war, it wouldn't matter to him where or why or how) simply to distract the nation from the investigation into whether he colluded with Russian hackers to influence the last presidential election.
4
Responsible Republicans have to be as embarrassed by this as Democrats are. And beyond embarrassed, actually frightened for the future of the world with this man at the helm. Nothing can change as long as this splits along party lines. At some point, the grown ups are going to have to step up.
7
Some immediate actions which the GOP might wish to take:
1. Plead with Melania to return immediately to the White House Family Quarters (or Ivanka can move in too en famille) so DJT is not lonely, sleepless and twitter prone.
2. Let him keep his twitter account (see above), but keep the "football" safely away.
Cross your fingers, America, it's going to get worse before it gets better.
1. Plead with Melania to return immediately to the White House Family Quarters (or Ivanka can move in too en famille) so DJT is not lonely, sleepless and twitter prone.
2. Let him keep his twitter account (see above), but keep the "football" safely away.
Cross your fingers, America, it's going to get worse before it gets better.
4
Earth to Mars: It's getting better already now that I've scanned another insipid comment from an alien with documents and stored it in the circular file where it belongs.
1
How about acting on behalf of the nation and force The King of Chaos to resign?
Can we please move forward with an independent prosecutor of Trump and his sad team?
Our election was illegally tainted by Trump and the Russians. Prosecute the criminals and call for a new election for president/vice president.
Let all of the career government professionals return in the meantime to run the country while the US reboots, and hopefully, returns to sanity.
Our election was illegally tainted by Trump and the Russians. Prosecute the criminals and call for a new election for president/vice president.
Let all of the career government professionals return in the meantime to run the country while the US reboots, and hopefully, returns to sanity.
1
“I don’t show my hand” = It's far beyond my comprehension.
Half of our country has endangered the whole by electing this impulsive charlatan, unfit to lead in any sense of the word. The world shudders knowing he has the nuclear codes.
Half of our country has endangered the whole by electing this impulsive charlatan, unfit to lead in any sense of the word. The world shudders knowing he has the nuclear codes.
2
Trump has the same PR problem that obama had. Half of what he thinks is not relayed to the public. Maureen does made a lot of fuss about Obama's lack of schmooze. She portrayed a president who was isolated, the difference being obama was so immersed in work, in policy details, in consulting with different points of view, that Maureen felt left out of the conversation. Charles, go ask Maureen she will tell you what Trump is thinking and you can then fill in the blanks in your mind.
2
The citizens of this country are akin to those contractors of his who were stiffed.
Trump's doing exactly to America as he did to scores of his hires...only this time he's screwing tens of millions.
Trump's doing exactly to America as he did to scores of his hires...only this time he's screwing tens of millions.
11
Yep. And now, the resident idiot is going to "negotiate" on America's behalf with the Chinese president, that's such a sad thought that it's laughable. Xi Jinping is prepared for this meeting and he is going to rollover the unprepared Trumpster like a train rolls over an ant on the track. What could possibly go wrong during this conversation?
7
Where is Obama, wailed a woman with her young son dead in her lap. Do you remember, Mr. Blow, she was one of the Arab refugees who had fled to a mountain for refuge? All across the seas, I remember this invocation of hers.
Some of my acquaintances work as emergency relief officers on a global basis and are on site in the Middle East. Where is President Obama were my early thoughts at dawn, where is The President? Assad should be hounded down by America and our Allies to face an International Criminal Tribunal. Putin to be banished from any civilized nation on earth.
It will come as no surprise if tomorrow on the front page of the New York Times, we hear that there has been a nuclear strike and that WWIII has been 'officially' declared. Let us prepare for this eventuality, and please forgive me if I tell you that I am having self-doubts. Self-doubts about this existence of ours where God does not feature.
Pence to meet with the U.N. Secretary General. Evacuation plans to airlift some of these Syrians, women and children. A growing feeling of panic for humanity, a reminder of the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The creation of the Moscow-Washington phone line, and skip this old man and his palaver who is posing as a president with his Hollywood administration.
Some of my acquaintances work as emergency relief officers on a global basis and are on site in the Middle East. Where is President Obama were my early thoughts at dawn, where is The President? Assad should be hounded down by America and our Allies to face an International Criminal Tribunal. Putin to be banished from any civilized nation on earth.
It will come as no surprise if tomorrow on the front page of the New York Times, we hear that there has been a nuclear strike and that WWIII has been 'officially' declared. Let us prepare for this eventuality, and please forgive me if I tell you that I am having self-doubts. Self-doubts about this existence of ours where God does not feature.
Pence to meet with the U.N. Secretary General. Evacuation plans to airlift some of these Syrians, women and children. A growing feeling of panic for humanity, a reminder of the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The creation of the Moscow-Washington phone line, and skip this old man and his palaver who is posing as a president with his Hollywood administration.
Obviously as a Canadian I really have no say in your Presidential debacle that is unfolding before the worlds eyes. I can't help but agree with Mr. Blow, he seems to nail the subject accurately. The USA has a loose cannon for a president who seems totally inept and to date unprepared to take any informed advice. What baffles me is, there are people that still support him?????
Keep writing Mr. Blow you are putting into print what the world in general appears to be thinking.
Keep writing Mr. Blow you are putting into print what the world in general appears to be thinking.
8
23% of Eligible Voters voted for him.
50% did not vote.
So a very small group supported / supports him.
50% did not vote.
So a very small group supported / supports him.
2
Racked with anxiety? I think not. You obviously want nothing more than for Trump to fail, totally and embarrassingly, and maybe even spectacularly, regardless of the consequential effects on the US. Get over your self-indulgent whining and start thinking about the greater good. If the bus goes off a cliff it won't matter who was driving; we're all along for the ride.
Why do I think Trump had to be told to feign outrage over babies being gassed to death by Kellyanne, or someone? His statement belied his ignorance and the churning waters of his mind, where reality bumps into his narcissism. We've seen it many times before. He has no clue what's going on or how to deal with it, so he starts repeating words and making incoherent comments to cover for his inability to grasp the reality of what his desire to win an election, versus actually be a real President, has wrought for himself. "People were shocked to hear what gas it was." What? I would bet everything I own that Trump still has no idea what gas it was (it was thought to be Sarin, Donald). People weren't shocked to hear what gas it was. We were shocked by the carnage cause by any gas and by any human being doing such a thing, not the name of the gas.
He blamed Obama, but is there any doubt Assad did this in part to test Trump as a result of his taking a Syria can go it alone stance? He was either unaware that Assad has done this in the past, or he admitted yesterday that he didn't care then, or is pretending to care now. This is not the first time Assad has done this, Donald.
What a fraud this man is, in every way. My suggestion to him would be to call Hillary, now, and get some advice. She'd have every right to hang up on you, but I bet she wouldn't. You've already begun adopting her no-fly-zone proposal, after all!
He blamed Obama, but is there any doubt Assad did this in part to test Trump as a result of his taking a Syria can go it alone stance? He was either unaware that Assad has done this in the past, or he admitted yesterday that he didn't care then, or is pretending to care now. This is not the first time Assad has done this, Donald.
What a fraud this man is, in every way. My suggestion to him would be to call Hillary, now, and get some advice. She'd have every right to hang up on you, but I bet she wouldn't. You've already begun adopting her no-fly-zone proposal, after all!
7
Great column. If you don't laugh you have to cry. "Buffoonish president" is so apropos, and the rest of Mr. Blow's article is very adept at shining the light on the (white) elephant in the room. Trump's base is so deliriously enamored of him that they seem content to turn a blind eye to his blundering buffoonery (such alliteration!), and remain in a state of starry eyed bliss while he spins his own version(s) of reality. Everything he spouts and touts as truth seems to have as much veracity and significance as the gas pump that tells me to "Have a nice day". Hunker down America...much worse before better.
1
One can only hope that Trump's personal physician is as big a liar and fake as he is and Trump's health isn't "the best of any president in history". Yea, I'm sayin' it, let's hope (and pray) for some disabling major medical issue (real or fake, i don't care) that forces this sociopathic idiot out of the white house. Sorry, what's the alternative? War with North Korea, Syria, Iran? Hundreds if not thousands of our precious kids lost due to this moron's inept behavior? Come on folks, Pence is right ring ideolog but probably would try to avoid a world conflict.
7
I never thought I would say this, but ISIS is right in stating that the US president is an idiot.
This disaster in our highest office should have never happened, but if this sick man is a simpleton, his election into the office of the president was bred out of simplicity. This moron is the result of an equally simpleton 2-party political system and and a dumbed-down binary culture of good and evil, have and have nots, black and white, as exemplified and rehashed all over our media.
Those who still support him, be it average voters or party-over-country & constitution politicians and law makers have no other options, because the political system is just like a football game where there can only be one winner. Coalitions, power sharing, compromises are too difficult to comprehend in a world that is constantly high on extremes or too uneducated and desperate for changes.
So just out of spite and in total absence of logic, reason and civility, people still decide to support a president who is a clear and present danger to humanity. Will they even notice when the first nuclear strike happens out of another knee jerk reaction of this mentally ill person?!
This disaster in our highest office should have never happened, but if this sick man is a simpleton, his election into the office of the president was bred out of simplicity. This moron is the result of an equally simpleton 2-party political system and and a dumbed-down binary culture of good and evil, have and have nots, black and white, as exemplified and rehashed all over our media.
Those who still support him, be it average voters or party-over-country & constitution politicians and law makers have no other options, because the political system is just like a football game where there can only be one winner. Coalitions, power sharing, compromises are too difficult to comprehend in a world that is constantly high on extremes or too uneducated and desperate for changes.
So just out of spite and in total absence of logic, reason and civility, people still decide to support a president who is a clear and present danger to humanity. Will they even notice when the first nuclear strike happens out of another knee jerk reaction of this mentally ill person?!
6
How horrifying that Trump can profess such despair at the gassing of children, but then seem to have no response in mind, or even a coherent thought.
The best he can offer after weakly parroting another of his greatest hits: the worst deal ever, is "You will see"? You can not be serious, Mr. Trump.
He was unprepared for the presidency when he ran. He was unprepared when he was sworn in. He remains unprepared and apparently okay with that: I see no signs that he wants to gain anything more than a superficial grasp of critical world events that fits into a simple, repeatable sound bite. That puts American lives at risk, puts children in Syria and across the world at risk, puts us all in grave danger.
Heaven help us.
The best he can offer after weakly parroting another of his greatest hits: the worst deal ever, is "You will see"? You can not be serious, Mr. Trump.
He was unprepared for the presidency when he ran. He was unprepared when he was sworn in. He remains unprepared and apparently okay with that: I see no signs that he wants to gain anything more than a superficial grasp of critical world events that fits into a simple, repeatable sound bite. That puts American lives at risk, puts children in Syria and across the world at risk, puts us all in grave danger.
Heaven help us.
As Mr. Blow points out, the world is filled with amoral, power hungry, criminal minded and brutal people such as Assad. Who will remind Mr. Trump that one of his first acts as President was to issue an Executive order to ban Syrian refugees and to openly criticize the Chancellor Merkel for providing a safe haven for refugees of this bloody civil war in her country. Who will remind Mr. Trump that it is very likely that much of the brutality inflicted on the people of Syria is aided and abetted by Mr. Trump's friend Mr. Putin. How is Mr. Trump going to square this circle? What principles will he apply, what intelligence will he utilize to assist in his analysis of the situation? He cannot even hold 3 thoughts in his head at the same time or speak a sentence that resembles anything like a coherent idea.
Mr. Trump is way out his depth and he is the only one who does not know this to be true. And by the way don't hold you breath for the promise of jobs - his analysis of that situation is equally flawed and ill-informed.
The Republican party had better take some responsibility for this situation - and help find a way out of this dismal situation. You Republicans have brought this upon yourselves, by abdicating your responsibly to govern in a moral and ethical way and undermining your own government under former President Barak Obama. You get what you deserve.
To the Democrats I say - please find a way to rescue the Government from Mr. Trump.
Mr. Trump is way out his depth and he is the only one who does not know this to be true. And by the way don't hold you breath for the promise of jobs - his analysis of that situation is equally flawed and ill-informed.
The Republican party had better take some responsibility for this situation - and help find a way out of this dismal situation. You Republicans have brought this upon yourselves, by abdicating your responsibly to govern in a moral and ethical way and undermining your own government under former President Barak Obama. You get what you deserve.
To the Democrats I say - please find a way to rescue the Government from Mr. Trump.
9
This requires all patriots to vote for Democrats up and down the ticket in 2018 (to pass legislation to address challenges rather than make things worse in the Congress) and 2020 ( to protect against Republican gerrymandering and voter suppression in the States in addition to replacing the uninformed grifter Trump in the White Hose)
3
What a waste of effort. Charles Blow writes one more column cussing out Don Trump and 99.99% of the commenters agree with him. 3 years and 9 months more of this routine I expect. Don't you realize that you are all just talking to yourselves? And repeating yourselves over and over? And accomplishing nothing. Don't you ever get bored with your anti-Don Trump writings?
3
We don't get bored with the dangers and harms caused every day by the worst president in U.S. history. Getting bored with Trump's presidency is a ticket to complacency and further damage to our society and the public good. Resistance and outrage are slowing down some of the harm he's causing, and we're obviously reaching more than just Trump haters because his approval ratings are consistently below 40%. It's worth having a fever for a while to get this virus out of our system.
2
Not just talk here. Millions of us will take action in 2018 and swing the Senate and House back to the Dems so that this atrocity of a man who is driving our country off the cliff, will be forced out of office.
2
Um, no.
He's so unbelievably stupid, craven just plain wierd, we never tire.
Until we drive him from office.
He's so unbelievably stupid, craven just plain wierd, we never tire.
Until we drive him from office.
Military coup, anyone? Kidding, just kidding... Of course, never thought Mr. Dumb-and-Dangerous would be El Presidente, either. So...
1
Chance the gardener had greater intellectual capacity than the current idiot in the white House. At least Chance could complete a sentence before changing the topic.
5
We need a Lenin, or a King, or a Mandela. We need someone who is brave, intelligent, articulate, and charismatic to lead us out of this darkness and give voice to our fears and frustrations. Who is willing to step up to the plate? There was no one in the Third Reich who could match Hitler, and look at the result. Let us never forget the words of German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller:
"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."
"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."
1
It pays to be ignorant, to be dumb, to be stupid, to be ignorant just like Trump, that is, if yout are born very, very rich. It certainly pays if you are Donald Trump or related to him or a Trump loyalist where the family business is to run a high stakes con game where everyone but Trump and his army of lawyers get screwwed and cheated. The fraudester and liar in chief is calling the shots.
As president of the United States he is worse than a bull in a china shop he his playing blindman’s bluff with nuclear weapons and pin the tail on the Democrats. Our present regime is illegitimate and the product of a coup d’etat by a hostile foreign power. Everyone in elective federal office elected in 2016 should resign and new elections should be ordered in 60 days with sharply reduced limits on television time to 4 debates for each office with the same people who ran in 2016 and the procedure should be enforced and over seen by the military until winners are declared. In the meantime the military will recall the staff of the previous administration to run the government until the the winners of the redo are sworn in. Anything is better and safer that what we have now which is the merger of our government with the Trump Family Business whose foundation is fraud, lies and and broken promises.
As president of the United States he is worse than a bull in a china shop he his playing blindman’s bluff with nuclear weapons and pin the tail on the Democrats. Our present regime is illegitimate and the product of a coup d’etat by a hostile foreign power. Everyone in elective federal office elected in 2016 should resign and new elections should be ordered in 60 days with sharply reduced limits on television time to 4 debates for each office with the same people who ran in 2016 and the procedure should be enforced and over seen by the military until winners are declared. In the meantime the military will recall the staff of the previous administration to run the government until the the winners of the redo are sworn in. Anything is better and safer that what we have now which is the merger of our government with the Trump Family Business whose foundation is fraud, lies and and broken promises.
3
This the same day Trump gratuitisely inserted himself into the O'Rielly scandal. With every passing day Trump demonstrates anew what a reckless jerk he is. One more legislative failure and surely the Republican Party will recognize the futility of their Faustian bargain. Unfortunately it is the rest of us who will suffer the consequences.
5
Yes Andrew I was struck by that O´Reilly remark too. Its as if Trump gives equal value to a television scandal that is none of his business as he does to the work he should be doing. But he does not know what it is to do work. So he just comments about junk scandals and shoots off his mouth without thinking about world affairs, pretending he is like the president or something. Its other-worldly.
1
Trump is facing the first crises that aren't created by himself. And he couldn't handle the self inflicted crises, either: how many times have people wished that he would just stop digging himself into deeper holes with his tweets and would start acting like....well, someone decent. He couldn't even manage to control himself. Much less the Republican House Caucus. Now Syria and NK? Really?
4
Do we know it was Assad's or Russia's forces that used those chemical weapons? Do we even know there were chemical weapons used?
The last time the Syrian rebels felt US support waning, someone unleashed a chemical weapons attack, of course blaming it on Assad. Could it be that this chemical attack, if there was one, was by the rebels out of the same concern as before--that the US was not sufficiently opposing Assad?
One thing's for sure--truth is the first casualty in war. If Trump wants, he can use this purported attack as a pretext for greater US involvement. Or not. It's up to him. That's what the slow accretion of an imperial presidency has wrought. War is up to the Chief Executive, the Congress and Courts be damned.
The last time the Syrian rebels felt US support waning, someone unleashed a chemical weapons attack, of course blaming it on Assad. Could it be that this chemical attack, if there was one, was by the rebels out of the same concern as before--that the US was not sufficiently opposing Assad?
One thing's for sure--truth is the first casualty in war. If Trump wants, he can use this purported attack as a pretext for greater US involvement. Or not. It's up to him. That's what the slow accretion of an imperial presidency has wrought. War is up to the Chief Executive, the Congress and Courts be damned.
2
Alexander von Humbolt (1769-1859), geographer, naturalist, and philosopher, anticipated this administration perilous incompetence by pointing out “The most dangerous worldview is the worldview of those have not viewed the world.”
Thank you, again, Mr. Blow, for reminding us.
Thank you, again, Mr. Blow, for reminding us.
6
Mr Charles Blow you are right Mr Trump is a buffoon and simple minded, one thing wrong with your article and that is Mr Obama. President Obama whom I like and respect didn't do such a great job with Syria and North Korea. Come to think of it Mr Obama called ISIS Junior Varsity and drew a red line in the sand concerning Syria. I'am not sticking up for Mr Trump the worst president in my life time but please Mr Obama and many others share the blame for the horrible situation in Syria and North Korea.
2
Nobody wants to go to war anymore.
War is for people too stupid to work it out with discussion.
War is for people too stupid to work it out with discussion.
1
Charles.
Thanks for avoiding the media pack mentality.
Thanks for using all the right adjectives.
Objectivity demands nothing less.
We have a buffoon as President.
He has no plans.
He has no ideas.
He cannot comprehend what he has gotten himself into.
Others will see this with time.
He will make horrible decisions.
Many innocent people will suffer and die.
Maybe then, your colleagues will have the stones to take the gloves off.
Thanks for avoiding the media pack mentality.
Thanks for using all the right adjectives.
Objectivity demands nothing less.
We have a buffoon as President.
He has no plans.
He has no ideas.
He cannot comprehend what he has gotten himself into.
Others will see this with time.
He will make horrible decisions.
Many innocent people will suffer and die.
Maybe then, your colleagues will have the stones to take the gloves off.
Trump is frighteningly ignorant about what is going on in Syria, as revealed in the news conference. The problem is Trump has the tendency to act before he thinks. He makes bold statements, then reverses course sometimes within the same day. However, you cannot un-launch a missile nor call back a bomb.
The world must be aghast at Trump's ignorance, and troubled by the power at his command - which lest we forget, includes nuclear. It takes your breath away. "You will see" is not a policy. I agree with you Mr. Blow, it is "mortifying".
Each passing day demonstrates how clearly out of his depth this president is. The only slight glimmer of hope that there are some grown ups in this administration came unexpectedly yesterday when McMaster rid the National Security Council of Bannon.
The world must be aghast at Trump's ignorance, and troubled by the power at his command - which lest we forget, includes nuclear. It takes your breath away. "You will see" is not a policy. I agree with you Mr. Blow, it is "mortifying".
Each passing day demonstrates how clearly out of his depth this president is. The only slight glimmer of hope that there are some grown ups in this administration came unexpectedly yesterday when McMaster rid the National Security Council of Bannon.
2
We must stop this genocide, we have let too many occurs in the Middle East. America did nothing about the first genocide of the 20th Century, the Armenians. America has stoo and watched every genocide in this area since then, we must stand up and stop Assad,Putin and Erdogan. These are three of the worst totalitarian leaders in our times. We need to protect the Kurds,the YPF and all the children in Syria. The west must stand up,iground all the planes flying and stop this genocide. The Iranians,Russians,Alawites and Turks must be stopped. They all have one objective,to wipe out all possible resistance.
Tim
Tim
Charles Blow nails it once again. Thank you, Mr Blow, I so appreciate how you find just the right words and expressions for this madness.
2
Last night I subjected myself to the dubious pleasure of reading yesterday's Times interview with President Trump. Bless their ever-patient hearts, Maggie Haberman and Glenn Thrush strove mightily to elicit a coherent string of words from the President that could be taken as an actual "thought." No such luck!
What repeatedly emerged from the President's mouth reminded me of a party balloon inflated to capacity and suddenly released into the air. Phwit-phwit-phwit went the words, this way and that, with no particular origin, trajectory or destination. Trump's responses simply flew everywhere and nowhere, all at the same time.
This got me to wondering about today's state visit by China's President Xi. How does one translate utter gibberish into a foreign language? Is the President more sanely articulate in the presence of overseas visitors? Have we ever seen any evidence of this?
I can only imagine President Xi scratching his head upon departure, muttering "What on God's Earth just happened here?"
www.endthemadnessnow.org
What repeatedly emerged from the President's mouth reminded me of a party balloon inflated to capacity and suddenly released into the air. Phwit-phwit-phwit went the words, this way and that, with no particular origin, trajectory or destination. Trump's responses simply flew everywhere and nowhere, all at the same time.
This got me to wondering about today's state visit by China's President Xi. How does one translate utter gibberish into a foreign language? Is the President more sanely articulate in the presence of overseas visitors? Have we ever seen any evidence of this?
I can only imagine President Xi scratching his head upon departure, muttering "What on God's Earth just happened here?"
www.endthemadnessnow.org
5
As horrifying as this scenario and as astonishing as the utter lack of preparedness of our empty suit of a president may be, I fear that Congress is no help in sparing us the worst. War has always been good business, and we know where the Republicans stand on business interests over humanity. It's getting real, folks. Thanks Middle America for the middle finger at the coasts and stickin us all with this buffoon. Ignorance may be bliss but it isn't good global policy.
1
America has stood by and done nothing in every single genocide in the Middle East. We did nothing about the first genocide in that region of the 20th century,the Armenian Genocide by the Ottomans. I am not expecting America to understand or act in a logical and humanitarian manner this case either.
The YPG are trying heroically to minatain a presence and protect lives in the North. There is very little help coming from the west. Assad uses them as an example of terrorism as does Putin. But the real terrorists and genocidal maniacs are the Syrians and Russians, who are killing the innocent people.
It is time America stood up, though we are care about what is in our interest. Children dying seems to be nothing,if we have no strategic interest.
Assad,Putin and the Iranians know what is in their interest, to kill all remaining people who disagree with them. The Turks in the north are the same,they kill the Kurds fearing their development of a new nation.
We need to stand up for the YPF,the Kurds and all the innocent children in Syria. We need to stop all planes dropping chemical weapons on children. There has been many genocides in that region, this genocide has been going on for way too long, stop the killing,it must be stopped now.
Tim
The YPG are trying heroically to minatain a presence and protect lives in the North. There is very little help coming from the west. Assad uses them as an example of terrorism as does Putin. But the real terrorists and genocidal maniacs are the Syrians and Russians, who are killing the innocent people.
It is time America stood up, though we are care about what is in our interest. Children dying seems to be nothing,if we have no strategic interest.
Assad,Putin and the Iranians know what is in their interest, to kill all remaining people who disagree with them. The Turks in the north are the same,they kill the Kurds fearing their development of a new nation.
We need to stand up for the YPF,the Kurds and all the innocent children in Syria. We need to stop all planes dropping chemical weapons on children. There has been many genocides in that region, this genocide has been going on for way too long, stop the killing,it must be stopped now.
Tim
"I do. show my hand" is -- consciously or unconsciously -- among the presidents biggest untruths. This is a man who shows his hand constantly. Every perceived slight is met with a 140-character tantrum. Every perceived triumph is trumpeted as though with a string of superlatives. Every challenge is countered with transparent lies and efforts to deflect. I don
I certainly appreciate the fact that Trump is not in command of his emotions or his facts, but asking nearly anybody to be in command of geopolitics is a real stretch. Having said that, Mr. Blow is correct on every other point. This demonstrated idiot in charge of foreign policy and military decisions is scary. War is not - never has been - a binary decision, and Trump's brain and ego require such simplicity. So now we have to rely on the military to advise and maybe intervene, and the purported wisdom and worldliness of Ivanka and Jared to soften the edges? Dude, I AM scared!
3
The latest, like, Times, New York Times, interview of this, like, rambling idiot should be, or would be, that said, terrific, the lead, like, it's great, I'm mean really big, the lead story on tonight's network news. Should be. It's great. Really, like, great. Believe me.
My god. The emperor truly has no clothes. Trump voters, as you gaze upon your dear leader, could you possibly be doubting your choice? It will take all of us, progressives and conservatives to dislodge this shameful excuse for a president.
4
You jump to the unproven conclusion (as most media has) that Assad did it. Why would the Syrian government invite intervention at such a delicate time when they appear to be finally beating back rebels and world opinion is softening toward them? There are other instances of misplaced blame laid at Assad's door and there is a rush to judgement. It does not make sense other than to incite intervention in Syria and slam Russia. And the White Helmets are at best suspect - underwritten by the West to the tune of more than $100 million, they seem as much a propaganda vehicle as a rescue operation. The Academy Award winning film was shot by them, not a documentary filmmaker. White Helmets founder Le Mesurier, who graduated from Britain’s elite Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, is said to be an ‘ex’ British military intelligence officer involved in a number of other NATO ‘humanitarian intervention’ theaters of war, including Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq, as well as postings in Lebanon and Palestine. He also boasts a series of high-profile posts at the UN, EU, and UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Not to mention his connections back to the infamous Blackwater (Academi). Less pontification and more research please.
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2017/03/01/who-are-the-white-helmets...
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2017/03/01/who-are-the-white-helmets...
1
We are indeed participating in a bizarre Twilight Zone where "Dreams Come True" and an amalgam of every bar stool bloviator, opinionated Thanksgiving Uncle and town meeting crank has been elevated and given the opportunity to play out their inchoate, venal and puerile inclinations as Leader of the Free World. The twist to this episode is that we will be subject to its real world consequences...and we can't turn the damn thing off.
1
I'm reminded of Kubrik's brilliant "Dr. Strangelove". General Jack D. Ripper is giving his "precious bodily fluids" speech. We're Captain Mandrake, trying to reason with the unreasonable, as the madman plunges us into Doom's Day.
Suddenly, it's not at all funny.
Suddenly, it's not at all funny.
1
When will the New York Times, its commentators and other media stop presenting evidence we all see and move towards an overall conviction? Yes, he's amateurish, ignorant, illogical, prideful, venal and dishonest, but it's so much worse. From his perseveration to his shifting reality to his mercuriality and paranoia, he shows all the signs of dementia. He is beyond shame and coherence.
And, frighteningly, he's driving the bus. It is only a matter of time before someone takes the keys from him or he will crash.
What were you thinking Comey?
And, frighteningly, he's driving the bus. It is only a matter of time before someone takes the keys from him or he will crash.
What were you thinking Comey?
2
BRAVO CHARLES BLOW! Your column today is a tour de force! Indeed you provide the reader with a detailed overview of the ravages that Trump has brought on the US and its standing worldwide. I myself have never been so terrified about the continued existence of the US. Trump is utterly incapable of performing his official duties due to medical reasons. It is becoming clearer by the day that he suffers from frontal lobe dementia, the genes for which he inherited in part from his father, who died at 83 from dementia. Trump is disoriented to time, place and person as he confuses 9/11 and 7/11 (both of which are times, places and names (i.e., perons). He is disoriented to place, as he tweeted that Paris is in Germany. Trump asked voters in Panama City FL to cast their ballots for him on 11/28/2016, meaning that he is disoriented to time. Trump's reality orientation is severely impaired. His 140 character tweets are the full extent of his ability to focus on and produce messages, as his language and memory functions are also severely impaired. Trump also exhibits exstremely poor judgment and insight along with severe deficits in executive functions of the brain including organization and planning, problem solving and decision making. The 25th Amendment MUST be invoked immediately. Trump has failed to appoint about 4,000 of the 4,700 presidential staff. That is not draining the swamp of pigs. It's filling it with alligators and snakes. At least pigs are warm-blooded.
2
The people who really matter in foreign policy under Trump are Mattis and McMaster. They and not Trump (or they, through Trump) will determine what happens regarding Syria, North Korea, Iran.
I'm anti-Trump, but this particular columnist is just a little too hyperbolic for me. Dial it back a bit, Sir.
I'm anti-Trump, but this particular columnist is just a little too hyperbolic for me. Dial it back a bit, Sir.
2
when will the fools in the House and Senate call this idiot out for what he is-nothing will change our dangerous course until they do-gonna knock on a lotta doors in 2018-
Embarrassing is right. And now "President" Dolt is attacking, accusing, and sliming Susan Rice to deflect from the Russia investigation.
He's truly a madman and a real jerk - and he's clearly in way over his head. It's nauseating.
He's truly a madman and a real jerk - and he's clearly in way over his head. It's nauseating.
2
Mortifying. Every word/tweet is a new low and this article is spot on in describing the man's astounding incompetence and lack of intellect.
63 million Americans voted for an imbecile to become their president. And, amazingly, many of them still seem to have no regret about what they've unleashed. Chance the Gardener/Jed Clampett is in the White House, supported by the sycophantic, self-serving, delusional nutcases of the GOP. EPA? Gone. PBS? Who needs it. Global Warming? A Chinese hoax. Assad's gassing? It shows the man's a strong leader. Dodd-Frank? What financial crisis, it's all good, my friends need to be able to rape hardworking folk. Putin assassins killing the opposition? The man leads. And gets huge ratings on RT. O'Reilly's harassment scandals? "The man's done nothing wrong." And it goes on, and on, and on...
Good luck, my friends. A civil war should be on its way any time now.
63 million Americans voted for an imbecile to become their president. And, amazingly, many of them still seem to have no regret about what they've unleashed. Chance the Gardener/Jed Clampett is in the White House, supported by the sycophantic, self-serving, delusional nutcases of the GOP. EPA? Gone. PBS? Who needs it. Global Warming? A Chinese hoax. Assad's gassing? It shows the man's a strong leader. Dodd-Frank? What financial crisis, it's all good, my friends need to be able to rape hardworking folk. Putin assassins killing the opposition? The man leads. And gets huge ratings on RT. O'Reilly's harassment scandals? "The man's done nothing wrong." And it goes on, and on, and on...
Good luck, my friends. A civil war should be on its way any time now.
12
Nope, not a Civil War. Our Declaration of Independence (you remember that don't you Mr London?) gives us the Citizens of the United States the Obligation to revolt against any regime or person who looks as if they are attempting to set up autocratic rule &/or destroy our nation. So, what we are not just allowed to do, but, our Founding Fathers have obligated us to do is gather together into a Citizens' Army, march armed (thank you NRA for all your hard work, so we may all be armed to get rid of this regime, then perhaps YOU) on Washington. Arresting *45, all his adult family members, his staff (evil minions), cabinet, & leaders in congress (including all those in that nice picture VP Pence took), oh Pence too. He has only gotten upset about all the treason (against the country & ALL its people) when he perceived someone was lying to HIM, which means he condones all the treason the rest are doing. Any who run (& by their own definition are therefore guilty), will be found & immediately shot. I believe the first to run will be Bannon. Coward that he is. Once the trials are over, the guilty verdicts in, the sentences read, most will be marched to the Mall where gallows will have been erected to hang them. Treason on their level is punishable by hanging. I think in public is a good idea as it will let *45's base know that the time of outright bigotry is over & they better go back to hiding in the shadows. We will be watching this ridiculous minority closely.
Thank you, Charles Blow. Once again, you give forceful and eloquent voice to my perspective.
14
Its baffling that he seems continually surprised that the world is a messy complex place. His pattern is the same.... "who knew", then the "woe is me, it's such a mess" mantra, followed by his "only I can fix it" bravado, which ends at "I have a secret plan" i.e. NOTHING.
He continues to leach our leadership in the world - walls and bombs don't make us stronger since he sees them as strictly defensive - if in the end no one else respects us then we lose allies.
Reality TV, building a brand or building, running a family business have nothing to do with challenges of geo-politics.
He continues to leach our leadership in the world - walls and bombs don't make us stronger since he sees them as strictly defensive - if in the end no one else respects us then we lose allies.
Reality TV, building a brand or building, running a family business have nothing to do with challenges of geo-politics.
13
Write on Charles.
9
When is The Times going to state the obvious that Trump could very well get us all killed? He is so incompetent and so emotionally unstable, and this along with being President makes him the most dangerous person on the planet. More dangerous than Putin, or Xi Jinping, or Kim Jung Un (?), or Iran, or Pakistan, or Hezbollah.
Donald Trump is the greatest threat to life on Earth since that giant meteor hit the Yucatan 65 million years ago.
Donald Trump is the greatest threat to life on Earth since that giant meteor hit the Yucatan 65 million years ago.
10
And still hands up don't shoot fails to display proof. How fitting for this fiction "writer".
2
Let's just cut to the chase and give Trump $100 billion from the treasury in exchange for him stepping out of office and leaving the country. We can tell him he was right about everything about Obama - the Kenyan birth, the wiretapping, and anything else. We can give him his own private island somewhere and pay actors to tell him how great he is all day. We can make sure there are lots of much younger women there for him to marry when Melania has grown too old for him. Let's just do what we need to do to get this loopy idiot out of office.
8
I feel sorry for the men & women in the armed forces that will be put in harm's way because of this moron actions. What's even more ironic is the people in the armed forces are from his base, they will be the ones suffering, not his Wall Street buddies.
7
Karma Americans. Maybe Trump is God's response to the United States being the first to drop Nuclear Weapons! Or Slavery or Genocide! What goes around comes around.
4
We started slavery? What do they teach in Canadian schools now? Or is it rewritten history because you still kowtow to England (they have fallen so far their 'empire' is now the Falkland Islands & Gibraltar, one of which wants to leave, the other wants lots more money so they will stay).
Slavery has been a world wide problem since prehistory. Though usually at least at first, each race enslaved others of it's own race (probably because selling them far away was such a problem). It continued that way until the Vikings started enslaving your ancestors & selling them at slave markets on the Black Sea. Then England herself got the idea of buying cheap (in Africa) & selling dear (in the Caribbean, then directly to their colonies in North America). We eventually told them to get lost, you do remember our Declaration of Independence don't you? Maybe not, since you have never truly been independent of England, they just make you & the other members of the 'commonwealth' pay them to be even slightly on your own (meaning give England whatever she wants, send her millions of men when she chooses to go to war, ect) & you get from her? What? A bad mannered family of Royals to help pay for? Maybe now is the time for you & the rest of the 'commonwealth' to tell England to shove off, no referendums needed. Just DO it.
Slavery has been a world wide problem since prehistory. Though usually at least at first, each race enslaved others of it's own race (probably because selling them far away was such a problem). It continued that way until the Vikings started enslaving your ancestors & selling them at slave markets on the Black Sea. Then England herself got the idea of buying cheap (in Africa) & selling dear (in the Caribbean, then directly to their colonies in North America). We eventually told them to get lost, you do remember our Declaration of Independence don't you? Maybe not, since you have never truly been independent of England, they just make you & the other members of the 'commonwealth' pay them to be even slightly on your own (meaning give England whatever she wants, send her millions of men when she chooses to go to war, ect) & you get from her? What? A bad mannered family of Royals to help pay for? Maybe now is the time for you & the rest of the 'commonwealth' to tell England to shove off, no referendums needed. Just DO it.
The POTUS vote results in the end of the world.
Thanks to ideologists for literal nihilism.
I'm defining the "n" word as ultimate nothingness.
Thanks to ideologists for literal nihilism.
I'm defining the "n" word as ultimate nothingness.
The first and last resort of flailing dictators is unify their support by starting a war. Look's like we won't have to wait very long now. Who will stand up to it this time?
The other resort -- finding a scapegoat is already in play. Can we then ask when Pres. Obama is going to sue this President for liable? (Ditto Ms. Rice?)
The other resort -- finding a scapegoat is already in play. Can we then ask when Pres. Obama is going to sue this President for liable? (Ditto Ms. Rice?)
2
Twice a week, our wonderful Charles sets up his diving board apparatus. Showing us the cesspool underneath it. Charles dives first! Bravely willing, yet again, to immerse himself in the latest bowel movements of this misbegotten "BADministration" - fowling, or fouling, the White House and the nation., endangering the world at large.
Then, one by one, intrepid commenters step up. Some choose the high dive. Some the low diving board. Others stand along the sidelines, cheering! Or weeping. Gnashing teeth. Fighting the impulse to run for cover. Realizing there is no cover! As the entire world holds its breath. Praying for another tomorrow. Scared of that next tomorrow.
Let us, yet again, thank the Times. Thank each other for being Times supporters. Thank Charles and others keeping their eye on the sewage. Giving us leeway to write here. Giving us these comment threads, which prove, yet again: we are not alone in our horror, our resolve, our mutual solidarity. In the face of evil, the face of a man without a conscience - holding all too much destructive power. Power to prop up his fragile ego. To our detriment.
I thank god for my fellow readers, who persist!
Then, one by one, intrepid commenters step up. Some choose the high dive. Some the low diving board. Others stand along the sidelines, cheering! Or weeping. Gnashing teeth. Fighting the impulse to run for cover. Realizing there is no cover! As the entire world holds its breath. Praying for another tomorrow. Scared of that next tomorrow.
Let us, yet again, thank the Times. Thank each other for being Times supporters. Thank Charles and others keeping their eye on the sewage. Giving us leeway to write here. Giving us these comment threads, which prove, yet again: we are not alone in our horror, our resolve, our mutual solidarity. In the face of evil, the face of a man without a conscience - holding all too much destructive power. Power to prop up his fragile ego. To our detriment.
I thank god for my fellow readers, who persist!
9
Don the Con and his fellow RepubliCON members of Congress love wars because their children will never fight in them! Vote straight Democratic!
13
Let's imagine this.
We have each been elected President of the United States, and have claimed great power over this country (redwood forests, New York islands, mountains, prairies, coasts) and the whole world. And this is what we say to all those people who live on the planet:
"Yeah like I'm very very into like red lines and there's lots of red lines and we're always the winners. I'll win win win till you get sick of winning. Yeah yeah health care is very very complicated. For men."
Then a (pesky) reporter hands each of us a globe with the names of all countries erased, and she asks, "Can you show me where Syria is? Iran, Iraq? Indonesia? Guatemala? France? Idaho? Vermont? Georgia? New Mexico? And what about Mexico?"
And we each (as President), denounce the reporter and her newspaper as Fake News broadcasters, ridicule her hair style (taking that cue from Bill O'Reilly), and declare that Barack Obama (the Kenyan Muslim) was way too soft in Syria ... and also way too hard. And he trashed the economy.
How could we keep breathing without great shame?
We have each been elected President of the United States, and have claimed great power over this country (redwood forests, New York islands, mountains, prairies, coasts) and the whole world. And this is what we say to all those people who live on the planet:
"Yeah like I'm very very into like red lines and there's lots of red lines and we're always the winners. I'll win win win till you get sick of winning. Yeah yeah health care is very very complicated. For men."
Then a (pesky) reporter hands each of us a globe with the names of all countries erased, and she asks, "Can you show me where Syria is? Iran, Iraq? Indonesia? Guatemala? France? Idaho? Vermont? Georgia? New Mexico? And what about Mexico?"
And we each (as President), denounce the reporter and her newspaper as Fake News broadcasters, ridicule her hair style (taking that cue from Bill O'Reilly), and declare that Barack Obama (the Kenyan Muslim) was way too soft in Syria ... and also way too hard. And he trashed the economy.
How could we keep breathing without great shame?
14
Wow! You did a great job on that, Deborah! I love it! Clever writing and right on spot! You right, too, Girl! :)
1
Dear Charles, we are fifty years almost to the day from Dr. King's historic speech at Riverside Church entitled "Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam."
King is a man you have praised and almost idealized as many of us have. But it seems that you are among those still dreaming of 'I have a dream" rather than following King's moral convictions on war and peace.
Dr. King, like most Americans initially believed that our motives in Vietnam were noble. Over time he saw a different and more accurate picture. He also saw the military industrial complex and its war turn Johnson's war on poverty to mere footnote.
Despite this, you focus on Trump the clown, rather than the Beltway establishment that is dictating more confrontation, more war, more surveillance of Americans and more silencing of dissent. Go back and read your own papers very small story after the 2013 gas attack in Syria. While the headlines proclaimed "Assad's Crossing the Red Line" the evidence showed that the sarin gas came from the rebels.
The 2013 attack fell on the eve of the arrival of UN weapons inspectors. While all the facts are not in, this latest attack, which occurred on the eve of a Syrian reunification conference has all the elements of a false flag operation. Coincidence?
Your call for an "American response" is further support for our fifth undeclared war in the Middle East. Maybe Dr. King should have left more moral courage behind. It seems sadly absent from the mass media these days.
King is a man you have praised and almost idealized as many of us have. But it seems that you are among those still dreaming of 'I have a dream" rather than following King's moral convictions on war and peace.
Dr. King, like most Americans initially believed that our motives in Vietnam were noble. Over time he saw a different and more accurate picture. He also saw the military industrial complex and its war turn Johnson's war on poverty to mere footnote.
Despite this, you focus on Trump the clown, rather than the Beltway establishment that is dictating more confrontation, more war, more surveillance of Americans and more silencing of dissent. Go back and read your own papers very small story after the 2013 gas attack in Syria. While the headlines proclaimed "Assad's Crossing the Red Line" the evidence showed that the sarin gas came from the rebels.
The 2013 attack fell on the eve of the arrival of UN weapons inspectors. While all the facts are not in, this latest attack, which occurred on the eve of a Syrian reunification conference has all the elements of a false flag operation. Coincidence?
Your call for an "American response" is further support for our fifth undeclared war in the Middle East. Maybe Dr. King should have left more moral courage behind. It seems sadly absent from the mass media these days.
3
In the interests of full disclosure, Mr.Blow should have noted that it was President 0BAMA who betrayed the desperate hopes of the SYRIAN people, being slaughtered by their own government, by reneging on his red line ultimatum to Assad. Thereafter, our c-in-c was regarded as a pushover by other world leaders, a President who lacked the courage of his convictions.Mr. Blow should not distort the truth to promote an anti Trump agenda. He should also try his hand at investigative reporting. Articles of his colleague at the paper who does not hesitate to venture where others might fear to tread have been an epiphany for me and others.One loses face in the international arena when one does not keep one's word. How many thousands of Syrian lives would have been saved if Pres. Obama had stuck to his guns in 2012 instead of backtracking at the last minute?
1
Please read drspock's letter. It was shown that the "rebels" used poison gas in the 2013 attack, and I believe Obama was correct to back off from attacking Assad. After all, eliminating Assad delivers both Syria and Iraq to the Caliphate.
The New York Times magazine, in an article about Americans captured by Al Nusra, wrote that Americans were supplying Al Nusra with weapons against Assad. How so? The Al Nusra/Caliphate people just lied to the Americans, saying we are "rebels fighting for democracy."
The New York Times magazine, in an article about Americans captured by Al Nusra, wrote that Americans were supplying Al Nusra with weapons against Assad. How so? The Al Nusra/Caliphate people just lied to the Americans, saying we are "rebels fighting for democracy."
Yet voters in red states are crowing about his greatness? They're still wearing their red caps and screaming MAGA.
Frightening times for our country.
Frightening times for our country.
Trump decided that Assad must go, contradicting President Obama's policy. Perhaps Trump didn't realize that the effort to depose Assad would be so complicated, that it's just easier to wave it off as unimportant.
Every decision a president makes has consequences - historical and sometimes life or death consequences. If things go bad, a president just can't simply declare bankruptcy and walk.
I fear that the Trump presidency is just a game to many republicans. They embrace the obnoxiousness of the Trump Administration. It seems that they love the Executive orders repealing everything just because Obama did it. They love that he is insulting, rude, and politically incorrect. Best of all they love rubbing liberals nose in Trump's victory calling them snowflakes and admonishing them to "get over it."
One Trump apologist, a verified commenter in this forum that many people will recognize, wrote continually during the campaign last year referring to Trump that we should "Embrace the Horror!" He said this blithely, with contempt to Clinton supporters and, it seemed to many, as an attempt to make a joke.
"Embrace the Horror!" Trump said Assad could stay and the next day Assad launches a chemical strike killing innocent children. A president's words have consequences. It's not a joke. It's not funny. Embrace the horror indeed.
Every decision a president makes has consequences - historical and sometimes life or death consequences. If things go bad, a president just can't simply declare bankruptcy and walk.
I fear that the Trump presidency is just a game to many republicans. They embrace the obnoxiousness of the Trump Administration. It seems that they love the Executive orders repealing everything just because Obama did it. They love that he is insulting, rude, and politically incorrect. Best of all they love rubbing liberals nose in Trump's victory calling them snowflakes and admonishing them to "get over it."
One Trump apologist, a verified commenter in this forum that many people will recognize, wrote continually during the campaign last year referring to Trump that we should "Embrace the Horror!" He said this blithely, with contempt to Clinton supporters and, it seemed to many, as an attempt to make a joke.
"Embrace the Horror!" Trump said Assad could stay and the next day Assad launches a chemical strike killing innocent children. A president's words have consequences. It's not a joke. It's not funny. Embrace the horror indeed.
7
Watching the press conference yesterday, I was not surprised that Trump was unprepared, unknowledgeable and spoke in stupid phrases. Compared to the King of Jordan, it was frightening.
This makes me wonder how does Trump get through these meetings with world leaders? Around the table, in the Oval Office one imagines that substantive dialogue is supposed to happen. But Trump clearly can not manage that. So who does the talking for the US?
Today our dear leader will be talking with the leader of China. What will Trump actually be able to say? Is he prepared? If the meeting with the King of Jordan is anything to go by, we are in deep trouble.
Oh! Sorry, my bad. Jared, the Ken doll, will be there. So nothing to worry about folks.
This makes me wonder how does Trump get through these meetings with world leaders? Around the table, in the Oval Office one imagines that substantive dialogue is supposed to happen. But Trump clearly can not manage that. So who does the talking for the US?
Today our dear leader will be talking with the leader of China. What will Trump actually be able to say? Is he prepared? If the meeting with the King of Jordan is anything to go by, we are in deep trouble.
Oh! Sorry, my bad. Jared, the Ken doll, will be there. So nothing to worry about folks.
The genuinely frightening thing about Trump is that should he get into serious trouble - read: Russia investigation - he will fall back on his tired and true maneuver of creating a distraction. And if the Russia thing is revealed to be serious enough, and perhaps even touch him personally, does anyone doubt that Trump will not hesitate to create a comparably sized distraction? This is a man for whom propping up a very large and very fragile ego is paramount. And now he has the most powerful military apparatus in the world with which to do that. An amoral narcissist with a fragile ego, a chip on his shoulder, and an advanced military machine - what could possibly go wrong?
But hey, at least we didn't elect an experienced diplomat and stateswoman who used the wrong email server. Dodged a bullet there, didn't we?
Good god, are we a stupid nation.
But hey, at least we didn't elect an experienced diplomat and stateswoman who used the wrong email server. Dodged a bullet there, didn't we?
Good god, are we a stupid nation.
The doo doo is now hitting the fan, bigly. I could have thrown a dart at a phone book( if I could find one) and selected a more capable leader than this sociopathic black hole of need, insecurity and pure evil. We are truly doomed.
Nice job America! You wanted him, you've got him.
Nice job America! You wanted him, you've got him.
10
In our high tech connected cyber world nothing creeps along as information and disaster is immediate and instantaneous. Running towards a cliff to leap into oblivion is where Donald Trump is leading America.
The world is full of real tough ruthless leaders with extensive political and government experience and talent in pursuing their own personal interests and values along with those of their nation states. Angela Merkel, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu, Recip Erdogan, Benjamin Netanyahu, King Salman, Kim Jung Un, Theresa May and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi are a pack of canine predators akin to a pack of African Wild Dogs or Gray Wolves aka Timber Wolves. These leaders all have the stamina of global long distance runners.
While Donald Trump sans any political or government experience or talent is a bleating goat waiting to be preyed upon and played with by real leaders. Tweeting while Trump watching Fox " News" and playing golf while bouncing between the relative luxury of the Sea Lake Resort and slumming it at the White House is a death spiral.
The world is full of real tough ruthless leaders with extensive political and government experience and talent in pursuing their own personal interests and values along with those of their nation states. Angela Merkel, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu, Recip Erdogan, Benjamin Netanyahu, King Salman, Kim Jung Un, Theresa May and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi are a pack of canine predators akin to a pack of African Wild Dogs or Gray Wolves aka Timber Wolves. These leaders all have the stamina of global long distance runners.
While Donald Trump sans any political or government experience or talent is a bleating goat waiting to be preyed upon and played with by real leaders. Tweeting while Trump watching Fox " News" and playing golf while bouncing between the relative luxury of the Sea Lake Resort and slumming it at the White House is a death spiral.
4
Oh the republicans so in a rush to “look tough” and get involved in the quagmire that is the Middle East.
Stay out of it. It is apparent from the Iraq fiasco that American involvement won’t make it better.
Hey the Russians touched it last let them own it. With a GDP less than Canada’s but with four times the population their involvement in the Middle East will simply suck the life’s blood out of what is a relatively poor country.
Want to tame Putin and the Russians… let them suckers get involved in the Middle East.
Stay out of it. It is apparent from the Iraq fiasco that American involvement won’t make it better.
Hey the Russians touched it last let them own it. With a GDP less than Canada’s but with four times the population their involvement in the Middle East will simply suck the life’s blood out of what is a relatively poor country.
Want to tame Putin and the Russians… let them suckers get involved in the Middle East.
1
Fears about DT's foreign policy agenda, pace Shakespeare:
Be it thy course to busy giddy minds
With foreign quarrels; that action, hence borne out,
May waste the memory of the former days.
Henry IV, Part 2, Act 4, Scene 3
(This was cited by another commenter....to whom I give credit and thanks).
NOT my president
Be it thy course to busy giddy minds
With foreign quarrels; that action, hence borne out,
May waste the memory of the former days.
Henry IV, Part 2, Act 4, Scene 3
(This was cited by another commenter....to whom I give credit and thanks).
NOT my president
7
The Grifter and Liar needs to listen to the voice of reason: Mr. Obama. This says it all.
3
Spine-chilling, your column "Creeping Toward Crisis", Charles Blow. Calling our President full of bluster, bungling and bosh is one thing, but saying he is not in command of his emotions, geopolitics, and under a cloud of illegitimacy is another. Yes, Trump is known globally for being ignorant, an imbecile and a liar. After the deadly gassing by Bashar al Assad of his own people, Trump ranted on what he inherited from President Obama, and reiterated that the chemical attack against the Syrian people by their own leader crossed many many lines beyond a red line. Trump is inflexible and ignorant. Trump responded to a reporter's question about what message he will give the Syrian regime, and our commander in chief sidestepped the question and said "You will see what the message will be, O.K.?" Today, President XI Jinping of the PRC arrives here in Palm Beach to meet with Trump at his Versailles South, Mar-a-Lago, Trump told the Financial Times that "if China is not going to solve North Korea, we will." Trump's insecurities and grotesque ignorance about the way democracy functions, his lies and promises are now laid bare for the world to fear. World crises aren't in the 45th President's sphere of interest or knowledge. At least he has removed Steve Bannon from the National Security Council, if not his circle of friends, malign advisers, and the know-littles who surround him. We can only hope that Trump will be removed, impeached, ousted from our Presidency and ASAP.
8
Another excellent column. Next,you can describe the foolishness of sending Jared Kushner to Iraq to evaluate how the war against ISIS is going. Has a man ever looked less capable of gathering intelligence? Looks like he has received Botox shots to his face: not a sign of emotion on it. He's a pampered Prince of New York, who traveled with Trump's bodyguard, a former NY cop. Why not someone from the state dept.? Russian propaganda persuaded some voters to vote against Hillary Clinton and for a psychotic man who told them "Only I can fix it."
5
> "What worries me most is that he seems to have no coherent plan, at least not one that he is willing or able to communicate."
You entertain the possibility that he has one?
If there is a plan its Mattis and/or McMaster's. And, no, even if they do have a plan, outsourcing foreign policy to military advisors doesn't put me at ease in the least.
You entertain the possibility that he has one?
If there is a plan its Mattis and/or McMaster's. And, no, even if they do have a plan, outsourcing foreign policy to military advisors doesn't put me at ease in the least.
110
Any roses blooming in the rose garden had to wilt when President #45 once again--- petty and small --- shamelessly stood at the podium and blamed Barack Obama for Syria.
It doesn't take a historian to conclude that Trump himself repeatedly was on record opposing military action against Assad. A quick google presents that fact.
Trump's national security team, led by a right wing blogger, had demoted the Joint Chiefs of Staff until someone shook Trump just this week to get him to realize foreign policy is serious stuff.
And let's not forget Trump is the first presidential candidate ever to actively encourage a foreign power--an adversary-- to conduct espionage against his political opponent.
And he's the first to compare the actions of America's intelligence community to those seen in Russia or Nazi Germany.
Trump needs to finally feel the weight of foreign policy and assume responsibility for what happens on his watch. Finally may he realize there are no easy answers, nor do soundbites count as policy.
It doesn't take a historian to conclude that Trump himself repeatedly was on record opposing military action against Assad. A quick google presents that fact.
Trump's national security team, led by a right wing blogger, had demoted the Joint Chiefs of Staff until someone shook Trump just this week to get him to realize foreign policy is serious stuff.
And let's not forget Trump is the first presidential candidate ever to actively encourage a foreign power--an adversary-- to conduct espionage against his political opponent.
And he's the first to compare the actions of America's intelligence community to those seen in Russia or Nazi Germany.
Trump needs to finally feel the weight of foreign policy and assume responsibility for what happens on his watch. Finally may he realize there are no easy answers, nor do soundbites count as policy.
By electing Trump, we have pulled our pants down and mooned the world.
Very funny.
You Trump supporters are about to learn that geo-politics does not have a sense of humor.
Very funny.
You Trump supporters are about to learn that geo-politics does not have a sense of humor.
27
Go Charles!
13
Wasn't Trumps whole campaign assault on being different than Obama, on having a tremendously different foreign policy than Obama? Than why, rather than just criticize Obama is he not putting forth the Trump Doctrine, not telegraphing specific on the ground moves, but voicing a specific philosophy on dealing with governments like Assad's, of which his strategy would be a natural outcome.
He says he does not telegraph his intentions, but what was all that public administration talk about easing up on the Assad regime that led, within days, to the emboldened and more heinous nature of the attacks of the regime of his own people, his own children? He telegraphed fewer consequences and the monster took more monstrous steps? Doh?
National and International power must be wrested from this man and his cabal, not before real damage has been done because that ship has sailed, but before the harm he has done kills more children, maybe more populations, in our name.
He says he does not telegraph his intentions, but what was all that public administration talk about easing up on the Assad regime that led, within days, to the emboldened and more heinous nature of the attacks of the regime of his own people, his own children? He telegraphed fewer consequences and the monster took more monstrous steps? Doh?
National and International power must be wrested from this man and his cabal, not before real damage has been done because that ship has sailed, but before the harm he has done kills more children, maybe more populations, in our name.
But Charles, draft dodger trump had a rich daddy.
9
trump's entire existence seems to be how much he can harass, embarrass, and discredit Barack Obama. He doesn't know, or care, about anything else. He's obsessed with President Obama.
27
Jeff--How true! And, the very reason why he associates with obsessive, one issue, white supremacists, who won't stand in his fumbling way.
1
It may be shocking, but Trump is a true imbecile. This is not meant as an insult, but to understand his deeply odd cognition. The word "imbecile" refers to a person with a mind so feeble, they cannot even grasp that others CAN know more than them.
Trump seems to not understand many things -- for example, his famously requesting the NSC to summarize every complex international and domestic security briefing given to him into one-page, with "maps and pictures". His vocabulary and speaking style elucidate profound immaturity of thought -- every public speaking opportunity confirms his penchant for repeating words within a sentence, his 4th grade vocabulary, sentences that change topics mid-stream, and an inability to articulate complex or multi-faceted ideas.
We see Trump's extreme reliance on his daughter and son-in-law. He got security clearances for both, and then official White House jobs -- which on the surface appears as simple nepotism (which it is). Their "jobs" are unspecified, and basically are to do what he wishes. The pattern of their involvement shows how he needs them. He keeps one of the two always nearby, and one always joins his meetings with foreign officials. Recently he sends one in his place to attend complex discussions meant for the president -- presumably they later simplify for Trump "any complex issues discussed".
When Trump explains any moderately complex issue, he invariably skips essential details or reveals a cartoonish understanding.
Trump seems to not understand many things -- for example, his famously requesting the NSC to summarize every complex international and domestic security briefing given to him into one-page, with "maps and pictures". His vocabulary and speaking style elucidate profound immaturity of thought -- every public speaking opportunity confirms his penchant for repeating words within a sentence, his 4th grade vocabulary, sentences that change topics mid-stream, and an inability to articulate complex or multi-faceted ideas.
We see Trump's extreme reliance on his daughter and son-in-law. He got security clearances for both, and then official White House jobs -- which on the surface appears as simple nepotism (which it is). Their "jobs" are unspecified, and basically are to do what he wishes. The pattern of their involvement shows how he needs them. He keeps one of the two always nearby, and one always joins his meetings with foreign officials. Recently he sends one in his place to attend complex discussions meant for the president -- presumably they later simplify for Trump "any complex issues discussed".
When Trump explains any moderately complex issue, he invariably skips essential details or reveals a cartoonish understanding.
53
Thank you for articulating so well what I've thought about him for a long time now. I don't understand how so many others aren't totally put off by this. Do they just discount it as an "elitist" pronouncing judgment? So what -- it doesn't make it any less a fact that he isn't intellectually up to the job. Every time I hear him speak, I cringe because he sounds so horribly stupid. He's incurious, which is a horrible attribute for any leader, let alone the leader of the free world.
The US had a thoughtful, intelligent, consistent President for the last 8 years and the American people were disappointed. They were disappointed that he could not magically just fix the world and make all of the bad things stop happening. They act like children who want their parents to fix the things that they can not understand.
Since their main "intellectual" focus seems to be on inane reality TV shows and social media drivel they turned to one of their own to fix it all. Of course Trump is an idiot who is hopelessly in over his head but neither he nor his base have a clue.
The real problem is not Trump or the outright callousness and greed of the Republicans controlling Congress, but the ignorance of the American electorate. Democracy can only flourish with an intelligent and informed electorate and the US is far, far from having that.
Since their main "intellectual" focus seems to be on inane reality TV shows and social media drivel they turned to one of their own to fix it all. Of course Trump is an idiot who is hopelessly in over his head but neither he nor his base have a clue.
The real problem is not Trump or the outright callousness and greed of the Republicans controlling Congress, but the ignorance of the American electorate. Democracy can only flourish with an intelligent and informed electorate and the US is far, far from having that.
19
We must admit that, through a complicated chain of events, we have elected a demented individual. There will be no rationale for anything going forward. There will be no subtle practice, no secret plan. Just the pathetic spewing of an ill and crazy man.
9
With every typically ill-informed or unintelligible utterance or act by Mr. Trump, my mind rushes to find the negative adjective that best describes him or his behavior, at least in that moment. One could go through the alphabet multiple times: abhorrent, belligerent, craven, despicable and so on.
Trump's most recent behavior and Mr. Blow's column today brought to mind what my children thought of as the "s" word when they were younger: stupid. It's an unkind label, but seems to apply to Mr. Trump, perhaps more so than any person who has held high political office in my lifetime. Yes, he attained his office (apparently by gut--or gutter--instincts supplemented by hook or by crook), but the calamitous events that led to his achievement don't make him wise.
The stupidest people seem to be those who aren't wise enough to acknowledge to themselves (let alone others) that they don't know what they don't know. Mr. Trump appears to be the King of Stupid.
Trump's most recent behavior and Mr. Blow's column today brought to mind what my children thought of as the "s" word when they were younger: stupid. It's an unkind label, but seems to apply to Mr. Trump, perhaps more so than any person who has held high political office in my lifetime. Yes, he attained his office (apparently by gut--or gutter--instincts supplemented by hook or by crook), but the calamitous events that led to his achievement don't make him wise.
The stupidest people seem to be those who aren't wise enough to acknowledge to themselves (let alone others) that they don't know what they don't know. Mr. Trump appears to be the King of Stupid.
27
It appears from here, that Mr. Trump wants to destroy everything Mr.Obama
achieved and in so doing destroy Mr. Obama's good name.
It is so obvious and so painful at the same time.
Hurry up and remove Mr. T., he is an awful bloke. Thank you!
achieved and in so doing destroy Mr. Obama's good name.
It is so obvious and so painful at the same time.
Hurry up and remove Mr. T., he is an awful bloke. Thank you!
In the Divine Liturgy, we pray: "For the President of our country, for all those in civil authority and for all those in the armed forces let us pelts to the Lord." Not endorsing, not even obeying the President but including them all in prayer and therefore in our heart though broken and tormented. For good reason, no doubt, to pray, as the President and his cabinet are not without severe vulnerability, and consequences loom against the people because of them as you have articulated. And especially wise to pray when feeling anxious and angry and astonished by the weakness and danger upon us as you described. Prayer is the peaceful alternative to hatred and its inevitable violence. Prayer can at least convert one's own person from a proponent of violence -- including righteous violence which is still violence -- to serving and glorifying God as the willing recipient of violence when that is the consequence of love, whici clarifies one's own mind and reveals one's true identity and is the most lasting action surpassing one's own generation, as shown in the lives of Christian martyrs whose love even for enemies at time of voluntary and unjust death afterwards changed even many executioners. God help us, save us, have mercy on us and keep us by your grace.
3
This "Opinion" isn't a objective or rational opinion. The first adjective "Buffoonish" eliminates any possibility. It alerts one to prepare for subjective ranting.
Status since Trump:
Our markets are up. Excitement for "Capitalistic achievement from a president has the Nation & Markets bounding!
Even the socialists placed by Obama as a destructive legacy as well as his secret funding of possibly $Trillions to Sanctuary cities as a parting shot could not deter positive belief in a Trump future!
Opinions may vary. However, when one looks at real facts of Obama's presidency, clarity prevails. $23 Trillion Debt!! Historically massive & Destructive!!
Strange! There is no real publication or outcry about this socialistic and destructive "Tyrannical" action! Obama had no real "Capitalistic National Market" Markets with fiscal growth, our corporations, made their money overseas! Only now are they returning! Obama had no real capitalistic methodology only Socialistic.
The resulting debt and military degradation and malaise was predictable. His placement of Muslim Brotherhood in our government was frightening.
We will move forward! But, let's look at the Soros/Obama;s past with clarity. Let's allow Trump more than days to define his term. Any probable action by Trump will probably be better than Soros inspired Obama past actions.
Status since Trump:
Our markets are up. Excitement for "Capitalistic achievement from a president has the Nation & Markets bounding!
Even the socialists placed by Obama as a destructive legacy as well as his secret funding of possibly $Trillions to Sanctuary cities as a parting shot could not deter positive belief in a Trump future!
Opinions may vary. However, when one looks at real facts of Obama's presidency, clarity prevails. $23 Trillion Debt!! Historically massive & Destructive!!
Strange! There is no real publication or outcry about this socialistic and destructive "Tyrannical" action! Obama had no real "Capitalistic National Market" Markets with fiscal growth, our corporations, made their money overseas! Only now are they returning! Obama had no real capitalistic methodology only Socialistic.
The resulting debt and military degradation and malaise was predictable. His placement of Muslim Brotherhood in our government was frightening.
We will move forward! But, let's look at the Soros/Obama;s past with clarity. Let's allow Trump more than days to define his term. Any probable action by Trump will probably be better than Soros inspired Obama past actions.
4
Donald: Really...? Commenting on stories in the NYT...? Don't you have more important things to do...?
1
He's not smarter than a fifth grader. He's a lying, bumbling fool.
17
Trump is in a pickle. And by association, so are we. He is the text book example of the Peter Principle, which states, in part, "managers rise to the level of their incompetence." He rose to this level the day he was elected. Or maybe Gloria Stein said it best when referring to Oakland, from San Francisco, "there is no there , there".
Trump doesn't know what he doesn't know and isn't the kind of guy that seeks out answers when he doesn't. He just blurts out whatever comes into the head. He needs to see things on TV with color pictures to comprehend the real world and what is happening in it. But, then, because of other, personal limitations ( decision making, leadership, analysis, reading, strategic planning) he remains stuck.
He has alienated his own intelligence services, who are just waiting him out, and foreign allies who see him as a buffoon. The very people who could help him sort out a response to Assad, in a methodical and calculated way, will keep their distance. Trump is not seen as a serious man...but rather a catastrophe.
Trump doesn't know what he doesn't know and isn't the kind of guy that seeks out answers when he doesn't. He just blurts out whatever comes into the head. He needs to see things on TV with color pictures to comprehend the real world and what is happening in it. But, then, because of other, personal limitations ( decision making, leadership, analysis, reading, strategic planning) he remains stuck.
He has alienated his own intelligence services, who are just waiting him out, and foreign allies who see him as a buffoon. The very people who could help him sort out a response to Assad, in a methodical and calculated way, will keep their distance. Trump is not seen as a serious man...but rather a catastrophe.
14
It was Gertrude Stein, not Gloria. Otherwise, you hit the mark.
James Comey. Where art thou?
6
There's one silver lining in the Trump interregnum:
By the time he permanently exits the White House, the Republican brand should be permanently damaged.
Of course, that's what we thought about Richard Nixon, too. Instead, he looks more statesman-like with each passing day.
Woe is us.
By the time he permanently exits the White House, the Republican brand should be permanently damaged.
Of course, that's what we thought about Richard Nixon, too. Instead, he looks more statesman-like with each passing day.
Woe is us.
12
The Webster dictionary defines ignoramus : "Ignoramus is the title of a farce by George Ruggle (1575-1622) that was first produced in 1615. The title character, whose name in Latin literally means "we do not know," is a lawyer who fancies himself to be quite shrewd but is actually foolish and ignorant". Mr Blow gives the latest example of how well this applies to Trump. Remember other examples? ( paraphrasing:) "We will repeal and replace Obamacare on day 1"; "who could have imagined health care is so complex?"
"We will balance the budget so easily....35 years? No we don't need that" "NATO members owe America a lot of money for defending them"; "I don't need briefing on foreign policy, I have all of it in my brain!" and so on and so on... It is truly frighetening.
"We will balance the budget so easily....35 years? No we don't need that" "NATO members owe America a lot of money for defending them"; "I don't need briefing on foreign policy, I have all of it in my brain!" and so on and so on... It is truly frighetening.
11
Trump is a disaster.
But where was this concern during the eight years of the Obama policyless foreign policy?
The decision to act on the red line in Syria after having been fully worked up through the federal government to the president and then after making the decision Obama takes a walk with a failed novelist and changes his mind? The precedents for the Trump disaster were set by many including Obama while Blow and other elitists did not say boo. But now that the policyless policy approach has been turned over to a buffoon suddenly they have principles.
But where was this concern during the eight years of the Obama policyless foreign policy?
The decision to act on the red line in Syria after having been fully worked up through the federal government to the president and then after making the decision Obama takes a walk with a failed novelist and changes his mind? The precedents for the Trump disaster were set by many including Obama while Blow and other elitists did not say boo. But now that the policyless policy approach has been turned over to a buffoon suddenly they have principles.
1
excuse me. the red line was about getting Assad to destroy his chemical weapons, which he did but with Russian influence. (did they make more in the meantime? hid some well? looks like it but there haven't been chemical attacks for a long time so it was some good). What would you have preferred? Another Vietnam for the US? You act as though there IS a solution. There isn't. It's trial and error. But, it needs intelligent people who can learn from what they do. Trump has no clue. Never has, never will. And, he's dealing with killers far smarter than he is. Obama took a calculated risk that it would sort out on its on, with diplomacy behind the scenes vs another big war that no one would have won. I prefer that. And, I'd much prefer him or Hillary to the psychopath we now have.
We aren't "Creeping Toward Crisis", Charles Blow, we are racing toward crisis like lemmings to the edge of the cliff. Calling our President a lying and ignorant braggart is one thing, but saying he is under an emotional cloud of illegitimacy is another. Yes, Trump is known globally for being clueless about our democracy, our history, our governmental process. After the deadly gassing by Bashar al Assad of his own people, Trump ranted about what he inherited from President Obama, and reiterated that the chemical attack against the Syrian people by their own leader crossed many lines beyond a red line. Trump is inflexible and ignorant. Trump responded to a reporter's question about what message he will give the Syrian regime, and our commander in chief sidestepped the question and said "You will see what the message will be, O.K.?" Today, President XI Jinping of the Peoples' Republic of China arrives here in Palm Beach to meet with Trump at his Southern White House, Mar-a-Lago. his lies and promises are now laid bare for the world to fear. World crises aren't in the 45th President's sphere of interest or knowledge. At least he has removed Steve Bannon from the National Security Council, if not his circle of friends, malign advisers, and the know-littles who surround him. We can only hope that Trump will be removed, impeached, ousted from our Presidency and ASAP.
11
Trump is a lot like Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro. He's in way over his head and it's very apparent. When you listen to either of them speak you can't help but feel embarrassed and sorry for them. As Mr. Blow states, it's mortifying and terrifying at the same time.
9
Quite right Buckaroo. We both have an oil surplus (and a coal surplus in the US too) and our government institutions have been taken over by destructive ideologues in it for their own benefit at the nation's expense. At least Venezuela still has an independent legislature - powerless as it may be - ours is in cahoots with our POTUS and our Supreme Court will be in their hands shortly too.
The USA is finally under One Party Republican Dictatorship.
The USA is finally under One Party Republican Dictatorship.
I agree with Mr. Blow's assessment of Donald Trump. It was absolutely painful to watch the joint news conference yesterday between Trump and King Abdullah II and the parallels between the two men were glaring: King Abdullah spoke in measured and thoughtful sentences that actually made sense, and his answers to questions posed to him by reporters were clearly answered.
Not so with our president. I had read recently that Trump has the intellect of a 5th grader, and that was not more clearly evident by his answers and his statements yesterday. This man is in well over his head and he doesn't know it.
I am putting my political eggs in the mid-term election basket with the hope that the Democrats will take over House majority and initiate impeachment proceedings against Trump before it's too late.
Not so with our president. I had read recently that Trump has the intellect of a 5th grader, and that was not more clearly evident by his answers and his statements yesterday. This man is in well over his head and he doesn't know it.
I am putting my political eggs in the mid-term election basket with the hope that the Democrats will take over House majority and initiate impeachment proceedings against Trump before it's too late.
20
He made monarchy look better than democracy. .
Len: Well said!
There's something missing from this ongoing diatribe about Trump's incompetence. Trump never intended to win the election and never thought he would. It was basically a publicity stunt to strengthen his brand around the world.
Trump didn't necessarily collude with Putin to win. Putin came up with this on his own to defeat Clinton who he hates.
But now, after winning, Trump can't admit it was all a scam on the American public. Or at least he thinks he can't. In a strange turn of events, it really isn't Trump's fault he got caught in this mess. He never really wanted to win at all!
Trump didn't necessarily collude with Putin to win. Putin came up with this on his own to defeat Clinton who he hates.
But now, after winning, Trump can't admit it was all a scam on the American public. Or at least he thinks he can't. In a strange turn of events, it really isn't Trump's fault he got caught in this mess. He never really wanted to win at all!
12
Thank you, Mr. Blow, for telling it exactly as it is. Frightening indeed. I do wish the Republicans in Congress would get over needing to be the "winners" and recognize that we're all losers with this man in charge.
17
Mr. Blow, your use of the phrase "King of Chaos" to describe Donald Trump couldn't be more accurate.
Never have we as a nation had a president so utterly unprepared and so completely ignorant of the essential substance or details that comprise the important issues facing our country and the world.
Is he so clueless as to think he can simply "wing it" like some high school football jock who thinks that school is nothing more than a convenient medium for socializing and not for learning?
Does he realize how foolish he looks and sounds when he makes stuff up when offering his "viewpoint" on whatever the given topic of discussion happens to be? Where are his "expert" advisors?!
Shouldn't his advisors be counselling him in advance of these meetings or public events? Doesn't the Resident himself know that he needs to be informed of the important points so that he doesn't look like a clueless fool when meeting with important foreign officials or addressing the nation?
Everything about this administration seems "seat of the pants". I worry about what would happen should a real crisis were to occur. Would we be able to respond in a timely and effective manner or would Donald Trump rely on his "natural instincts" in framing a response?
Donald Trump is by far and away the most unqualified person to have ever ascended to our presidency -- a gift "from Russia with love".
God help us!
Never have we as a nation had a president so utterly unprepared and so completely ignorant of the essential substance or details that comprise the important issues facing our country and the world.
Is he so clueless as to think he can simply "wing it" like some high school football jock who thinks that school is nothing more than a convenient medium for socializing and not for learning?
Does he realize how foolish he looks and sounds when he makes stuff up when offering his "viewpoint" on whatever the given topic of discussion happens to be? Where are his "expert" advisors?!
Shouldn't his advisors be counselling him in advance of these meetings or public events? Doesn't the Resident himself know that he needs to be informed of the important points so that he doesn't look like a clueless fool when meeting with important foreign officials or addressing the nation?
Everything about this administration seems "seat of the pants". I worry about what would happen should a real crisis were to occur. Would we be able to respond in a timely and effective manner or would Donald Trump rely on his "natural instincts" in framing a response?
Donald Trump is by far and away the most unqualified person to have ever ascended to our presidency -- a gift "from Russia with love".
God help us!
It isnt funny any more is it? This clown could possibly bring our world to an end with his idiocy. Those waiting eagerly for the Rapture might not have long to wait, that is probably why they all voted for him. I just hope at some point the leaders in congress will do something about him, declare him incompetent or find him guilty of all of the crimes he is doing. I have said all along he has obvious signs of dementia. He has aged a lot - maybe he just needs more golf weekends.
4
I am puzzled by the democrats failure to start the 2028 campaign with ads defining Trump and the republican congress as the corrupt, cruel, duplicitous and incompetent lot they truly are.
What's the DNC waiting for? Be proactive and get going!!!
What's the DNC waiting for? Be proactive and get going!!!
3
Creeping toward crisis with a creep.
6
My worse fear - The fake President bombs Assad's air force (which probably should have been done years ago before the Russians became involved) & hell breaks loose from there, e.g. Russia steps up aggression in Ukraine and elsewhere. Being the U.S. northern neighbour won't help us - the winds drift northwards!
2
Excellent, pointed analysis. You so clearly verbalize the anxiety of most of us. Thank you
7
This is what the trump/bannon "deconstruction of the administration state'" results in. "America First!" This man's complete ignorance of the unseen stay on the hands of foreign tyrants, despots and dictators, by the bonds of foreign cooperation and American strength as a defender of democracy, is staggering. He is ignorant of history, ignorant of diplomacy and ignorant of current events. He is ignorant of words, their meaning said, unsaid and implied, and the power and destruction they unleash. He is drowning in ignorance and completely unfit for the office he now holds.
2
"Creeping" Toward Crisis?
Ain't no "creeping" about it, Charles. It arrived in full force on inauguration day, if not election day.
All the rest is just an ongoing fill-in with the horrendous details.
Ain't no "creeping" about it, Charles. It arrived in full force on inauguration day, if not election day.
All the rest is just an ongoing fill-in with the horrendous details.
3
Mr. Blow, don't "sugarcoat it", tell us what you really think about your President.
When will DT step down? 'Boker Tov,' as the Israelis say. "Good morning' when he says, 'Oh, Basad did something really really bad.'
1
Chuck, Dude, you need some new material soon...
2
Yes, Donald Trump is a very dangerous buffoon.
Let us not, however, forget it was the radicalized right wing Republican party that was perfectly aligned for this buffoon...
And the GOP bent and bends to his wishes again and again and again.
Let us not, however, forget it was the radicalized right wing Republican party that was perfectly aligned for this buffoon...
And the GOP bent and bends to his wishes again and again and again.
6
The photo: HE looks like he's aged 20 years since the " election ". Maybe this Presidential gig isn't like running a " business ". Or, karma.
3
The international community recognizes that we have a imbecile for a President, yet, many in this country fail to see this.
Many are stating that Trump will be more effective, the best in being effective, yet, many promises and nothing delivered from the Commander in Chief.
As many of this country's adversaries see the emperor has no clothes the more emboldened they will become. If Trump can in fact deliver on his bombastic statements, now is the time. Or is he in constant consultation with his junior Presidents Jared and Ivanka and they have not allowed him to act, kinda like the crazy uncle in the attic.
Many are stating that Trump will be more effective, the best in being effective, yet, many promises and nothing delivered from the Commander in Chief.
As many of this country's adversaries see the emperor has no clothes the more emboldened they will become. If Trump can in fact deliver on his bombastic statements, now is the time. Or is he in constant consultation with his junior Presidents Jared and Ivanka and they have not allowed him to act, kinda like the crazy uncle in the attic.
This column would carry more weight if Obama had not continued and expanded Bush's wars, killing people en masse all over the globe. Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq--where did Obama's intellect and judgement prevent people from killing? Trump is an imbecile, but Blow's fantasy of US imperialism as a force of restraint and peace in the world is laughable. The killing despots that Obama supported--in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain--Trump supports them, too. Nothing has changed but the wrapping.
I believe you are affected by the same syndrome that drew US on this very path : how can you elect yourself to seat on the judge chair to trial Assad/Putin (who are really bad guys, I agree, but keep reading) when in 2016 the U.S. dropped an average of 72 bombs every day on Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia (see article on nbcnews, and I am sure they forgot some countries). Also, have you heard of "US Mosul Strikes Said to Have Killed Up to 200 Civilians" (NYT) ? Until the US do not understand that before playing the World Moralist they have to show a better example (or if they are not able to, then stay modest), then the World will remain, unfortunately for everybody, an unsafe place.
The news conference with King Abdullah II was startling. The king is miles smarter than Trump yet he was obsequious and fawning in his praise of this nitwit in charge of US Inc. My guess is his highness is playing Drumpf like a fiddle.
Can someone teach Trump how to sit in a chair in a way that doesn't look like a kid in detention? My God, he is an embarrassment.
Can someone teach Trump how to sit in a chair in a way that doesn't look like a kid in detention? My God, he is an embarrassment.
2
Did it ever occur to Charles that sophistication, doing the same ol same ol, specious reasoning substituting for truth & critical thinking, & the belief that geopolitics can be "managed," are precisely why we are one terrorist attack away from extinction?
“We will degrade & ultimately destroy ISIL” Obama puffed…& then proceeded—rather expensively—to do neither. "Ultimately" was a dead giveaway that his true intention was simply to contain—manage—the threat, which was his original proffer. (The beheadings & resultant public outrage forced him to up the ante verbally, i.e., lie.)
But the "sophisticated" president couldn't even do "containment." ISIS metastasized globally under his watch & his legacy-driven deal & secret side deals de facto nuclearized Iran, setting up a nuke arms race in the entire insane, apocalyptic region intent on annihilating us—deals that IF OBEYED, give Iran nukes in a blink of an eye as they defeat the grim logic of MAD
Against the will of the people, Obama gave a mortal enemy devoted to our annihilation the means to achieve that very end. His de facto nuclear arming of apocalyptic radical-Islamist terrorists PROPELLED by MAD is anthropogenic interference of cataclysmic proportion. It will threaten the world forever & Obama owns it. In perpetuity.
“I’ve been very clear that Iran will not get a nuclear weapon on my watch.”– Obama to T Friedman
The latest Paris brew / Terror infused w/ CO2. / Apocalyptists. Nukes. Fusion / Café au 'bama's delusion.
“We will degrade & ultimately destroy ISIL” Obama puffed…& then proceeded—rather expensively—to do neither. "Ultimately" was a dead giveaway that his true intention was simply to contain—manage—the threat, which was his original proffer. (The beheadings & resultant public outrage forced him to up the ante verbally, i.e., lie.)
But the "sophisticated" president couldn't even do "containment." ISIS metastasized globally under his watch & his legacy-driven deal & secret side deals de facto nuclearized Iran, setting up a nuke arms race in the entire insane, apocalyptic region intent on annihilating us—deals that IF OBEYED, give Iran nukes in a blink of an eye as they defeat the grim logic of MAD
Against the will of the people, Obama gave a mortal enemy devoted to our annihilation the means to achieve that very end. His de facto nuclear arming of apocalyptic radical-Islamist terrorists PROPELLED by MAD is anthropogenic interference of cataclysmic proportion. It will threaten the world forever & Obama owns it. In perpetuity.
“I’ve been very clear that Iran will not get a nuclear weapon on my watch.”– Obama to T Friedman
The latest Paris brew / Terror infused w/ CO2. / Apocalyptists. Nukes. Fusion / Café au 'bama's delusion.
2
This is very clearly put. I believe Obama definitely did not effectively manage these situations.
1
Marian! How nice to hear from you again.
1
Likewise, Sean. :)
Thanks Charles for your insight. In my opinion, the only way we get through this mess is to unite as Americans versus political parties and call a bad actor a bad actor and take him off the stage, with a "hook" if needs be. It's not about Democrats versus Republicans. It is about good versus evil; right versus wrong; truth versus lies; beauty versus ugliness; progress versus retrogression. To me, it's a no brainer.
2
Trump has a seat of his pants approach to foreign policy. And they are almost on fire. He specializes in double speak. Recently, he has blamed Obama for the world's troubles. Charles Blow is justified for being an alarmist regarding Trump's take on world events. He's not suited to be the captain of our ship. His mind is stuck in the Horse Latitudes.
1
Trump focuses on China, a topic he knows a bit about since he invests there and uses their steel in all of his projects. The problem is, China is not our main foreign policy problem. Russia and Syria are the main problems and Trump knows NOTHING on this, as Charles Blow points out. He has three things in his foreign policy repertoire that he keeps repeating. One involves blaming President Obama for the "mess he inherited" (welcome to the presidency, the world does not start over when America elects a new president). The other is the terrible insecurity on our southern border. I've been there, it's fine. And the third is the "terrible" Iran Nuclear Deal. Newsflash: that deal has the potential to make the Ayatollahs behave better. But, it will take skilled diplomacy of the sort that John Kerry was practicing. Rex? Jared? Ivanka?
No need to worry, for that wise, experienced and able advisor Jared Kushner will guide our President in these matters. Sleep well, America.
2
It is abundantly clear that we have a bumbling buffoon in the White House. He has no clue about foreign or domestic policy. He claims to have the biggest ideas, the biggest words, the best brain; but every time he opens his mouth or takes to twitter, all we see is a uneducated, childish man who blames everyone else for his downfalls and takes credit for things that he had nothing to do with. His ego is so outsized that he cannot and will not see that his actions are a danger to our way of life and our future. He has surrounded himself with soulless lackeys who bend over backwards to repeat his insane lies and propaganda. The only thing he has proven to be the best and biggest at is a national embarrassment.
This from (see Politico) Mr. Trump's past :
"Throughout August and September 2013, as policymakers and pundits debated how to respond to the Syrian chemical attack, Trump lambasted the Obama administration, while simultaneously saying the United States should not intervene. We found more than 20 Trump tweets making that point. Here’s a sample:
"What I am saying is stay out of Syria," he wrote Sept. 3, 2013."
And of course now he's blaming President Obama for doing what he advised, only now, as usual, to cover his own disarray.
"Throughout August and September 2013, as policymakers and pundits debated how to respond to the Syrian chemical attack, Trump lambasted the Obama administration, while simultaneously saying the United States should not intervene. We found more than 20 Trump tweets making that point. Here’s a sample:
"What I am saying is stay out of Syria," he wrote Sept. 3, 2013."
And of course now he's blaming President Obama for doing what he advised, only now, as usual, to cover his own disarray.
This same president though did find the time to say Bill O'riley is a good guy. Brilliant.
2
I cannot imagine allowing myself to risk my life or that of subordinates on an order from this so called commander-in-chief. Just following orders no longer cuts it in our world - or maybe it will under one party Republican dictatorship.
Too bad reporters did not follow up and ask for the "color" of all of those lines - any of them a red line?
Too bad reporters did not follow up and ask for the "color" of all of those lines - any of them a red line?
Lets face it, Trump has never had to deal with anything outside the realm of real estate. I seriously doubt that he has ever bothered to understand the implications of geopolitical politics. As stated during his campaign, just bomb the heck out of them. Anyone with even an iota of knowledge concerning world affairs understands that modern day challenges are much more complicated than his obviously simplistic and totally unpolished positions.
In essence the equivalent of a pre-schooler where world events and understanding are concerned is sitting in the big seat. None of us should be surprised in the least at whatever stupid absurdity might emerge on a daily basis.
In essence the equivalent of a pre-schooler where world events and understanding are concerned is sitting in the big seat. None of us should be surprised in the least at whatever stupid absurdity might emerge on a daily basis.
We've handled crisis before and can do it again. This whole Presidency has been a crisis since Day One.
It's creeping toward Armageddon that worries me. We elected Boo Boo the Fool President and gave him nuclear weapons. There are a lot of things that can go wrong there including the possibility that nuclear weapons could be used for the first time since 1945.
It's creeping toward Armageddon that worries me. We elected Boo Boo the Fool President and gave him nuclear weapons. There are a lot of things that can go wrong there including the possibility that nuclear weapons could be used for the first time since 1945.
1
"Creeping toward a crisis"? No. I fear it's bounding toward one precipitously. Irresponsibly.
Donald Trump is not a person who has shown the least tendency to listen to anyone other than himself, which is why there is such a garrulous lot surrounding him in the White House.
His willingness not only to expand the nulear aresenal, but to USE it, is enough to set anyone on edge -- and Syria is not the place to do it.
One may be ready to call Obama "cowardly" for resisting a call to action on this front, but it was his jurisprudence that kept this country out of a potential world war.
Unless cooler and greater minds prevail, that is exactly what will happen.
Donald Trump is not a person who has shown the least tendency to listen to anyone other than himself, which is why there is such a garrulous lot surrounding him in the White House.
His willingness not only to expand the nulear aresenal, but to USE it, is enough to set anyone on edge -- and Syria is not the place to do it.
One may be ready to call Obama "cowardly" for resisting a call to action on this front, but it was his jurisprudence that kept this country out of a potential world war.
Unless cooler and greater minds prevail, that is exactly what will happen.
Charles, if you are racked with "anxiety", and our President is truly "buffoonish",
------ if the world didn't know, they know now. I agree, I didn't care for Trump's "red line" reference - I don't believe anyone should be scoring points on the lifeless bodies of children - no one. I'm hoping the UN and Haley can end the violence in Syria.
------ if the world didn't know, they know now. I agree, I didn't care for Trump's "red line" reference - I don't believe anyone should be scoring points on the lifeless bodies of children - no one. I'm hoping the UN and Haley can end the violence in Syria.
Trump had an enormous opportunity and he blew it. He should have kept the news conference brief and bland, then gotten Abdullah behind closed doors, shut his mouth, and listened. Abdullah has decades of experience in his region. He knows the factions, the people, the religious issues, the resentments, and the options far better than any US President. Our biggest blunders (like the Iraq invasion) have come when we ignored advice from the region's leaders. In Iraq's case, Bush was warned by a Saudi price (Bashar I think) not to remove Saddam because of the instability that would follow. Bush thought he knew better. We know how that turned out. Likewise, Abdullah predicted the rise of ISIS. We ignored him last time. This time we should learn our lesson and listen. Abdullah is a dictator too but a relatively benevolent one by the region's standards. He knows who we can influence, who we can't, and what leverage could get Iran and Saudi Arabia to the table. Ultimately, Syria is fueled by the conflict, both religious and geopolitical, between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Trump missed his chance.
1
To the commentators who are outraged at Trump's reaction to Syria gassing it's residents-where was your outrage when Obama sat on the sidelines after drawing his red line in the sand and then doing nothing? Your blind hatred for "all things Trump" colors your thinking to any course of action Trump's administration takes on any issue. Us independents are tired of your pointless outrage on everything that the man says or does.
1
Get a clue, DanielMarcMD. DT will get us into an inextricable war. Got any kids of the age to fight there? That is where strongmen macho so-called presidents will get us. You are, incidentally a doctor who is not all that educated. It is 'we independents are tired.' We anti-Trumpists are worse than tired. We are terrified
at what stands for president to the detriment of our country.
at what stands for president to the detriment of our country.
1
Wait. Trump did not acknowledge atrocities in Syria until this heinous gassing, and his first reaction was to blame Obama, whom he had urged to stay out of Syria. He now says his attitude has changed. Did he just "get" that there is a horrific crises in Syria? It is this kind of behavior that has us outraged, and if it seems to be happening a lot, guess what? He behaves this way on a multitude of issues that we are passionate about....healthcare, veterans, the arts, the environment, women's rights... I could go on.
1
To the commentators who continue to bring up one statement by our former President as the sum-total of his policy toward Syria, where is your recognition of the difficulties that existed then and the many actions that followed thereafter including the current forays toward Raqqa? Your blind hatred of "all things Obama" leaves you oblivious to the course of action that made the best possible use of our limited alternatives. I'm disheartened that any "independents" could possibly ignore the highly increased risks, and dramatically reduced influence regarding Syria, when they should be outraged at the blatant incompetence of this administration.
Time to stock the bomb shelters. The arrogance of the Trump voter and of Trump will cause the death of many Americans.
6
Is Trump lazy, ignorant, delusional, or worse? Blaming Obama for things happening on his watch is no way to project power.
7
The dementia advances? He has no clear memory of what was said or claimed just a short while ago. His short term memory is eroding bigly!
As if HE changing his opinion were the important issue here. So appalling, he responds only to whatever winds are blowing through his empty, needy skull.
7
When Trump's (actually Bannon's, with his taste for macho nationalism) budget proposed gutting domestic programs and the State Department to expand the military beyond even its own requests, it signalled that they (B&T) were preparing for war as their preferred instrument of foreign policy. "Strategic patience" with North Korea, Tillerson said, was toast, and Nikki Hayes has said that if China can't stop the N. Korean buildup, we shall—obviously alone, because there will be no allies with us nor even negotiated attempts at one. Now Assad has created another excuse for Trump to demonstrate his strong-man approach to global dominance, defying Russia, Iran, and Hesbollah. So now it will be up to McMaster and the Kushners to modulate the President's "worst instincts". It is easy to see, perhaps to explain, why unilateral aggression may reap whirlwinds. Good luck.
2
We will never recover from putting a clown in the Oval Office. What a shameful moment in our history.
8
"...that crosses many many lines, beyond a red line. Many many lines.”
Here Trump is offering an insight into how muddled and disorganized is his "thinking".
Here Trump is offering an insight into how muddled and disorganized is his "thinking".
8
Diplomats from the State Dept. need to start whispering to Fox & Friends so that our president knows what to do.
8
Focus on the American voters. They did it. So indeed, we are "Creeping Toward Crisis." No Einstein needed here.
4
Mr Blow has written another excellent column. His anger an outrage have been unabated since Trump won the election. Anger is probably one of the greatest motivating forces and can bring about great good if it is channeled effectively with reason and sound action.
But then I find myself wondering what actual change will be brought about by this endless stream of words and commentary.
The thing has happened. Trump is the president and he is woefully unsuited for the monumental tasks ahead of him. An external enemy does not, could not, ever pose the same overwhelming danger we face now. Lincoln saw this clearly when speaking about slavery, but his wisdom generally applies. From his 1838 Lyceum speech -
"At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it?-- Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never!--All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years.
"At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide."
But then I find myself wondering what actual change will be brought about by this endless stream of words and commentary.
The thing has happened. Trump is the president and he is woefully unsuited for the monumental tasks ahead of him. An external enemy does not, could not, ever pose the same overwhelming danger we face now. Lincoln saw this clearly when speaking about slavery, but his wisdom generally applies. From his 1838 Lyceum speech -
"At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it?-- Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never!--All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years.
"At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide."
3
The sad story is, Trump is proven to be a habitual liar. A liar has no credibility, even when trying to tell the truth. Trump, what ever you say, no person will believe or trust your words.
Nobody trusts anything you say.
'Trump said: “It crossed a lot of lines for me. When you kill innocent children, innocent babies, babies, little babies, with a chemical gas that is so lethal, people were shocked to hear what gas it was, that crosses many many lines, beyond a red line. Many many lines.” '
And the answer is: all fault of Obama ! Chapter closed.
Nobody trusts anything you say.
'Trump said: “It crossed a lot of lines for me. When you kill innocent children, innocent babies, babies, little babies, with a chemical gas that is so lethal, people were shocked to hear what gas it was, that crosses many many lines, beyond a red line. Many many lines.” '
And the answer is: all fault of Obama ! Chapter closed.
2
A Tale of Two Presidents:
After the previous chemical weapons attack perpetrated by Assad, President Obama, reluctantly, asked Congress for Authorization of use of military force. He did not get it. So, as he explained in an interview shortly before leaving office, he chose the alternative best for the US (or least damaging) because, as he said, he was first and foremost US President. Unauthorized attacks were, he felt, damaging to US interests. He chose to enter into an agreement with the Russians to take chemical weapons away from Assad. How the US managed to make Russia and Assad comply with that treaty, I don't know (historians of a later period will find out) but chemical weapons were not used from then on. In short. President Obama acted responsibly, but failed to put a stop on the Syrian carnage in general.
Enter Donald Trump and his disdain and incompetence in foreign policy and all of a sudden neither Russia, nor Assad felt inclined to stand by their obligation as set down in the agreement they entered into under President Obama's watch. Donald Trump's reaction? A lot of bluster and no plan at all. And still he is not speaking of Russia's role in the horror that is the Syrian war.
The world of Foreign Politics and Diplomacy is incredibly complex and a minefield in which a misstep can blow up the planet. Donald Trump blindly and mindlessly staggering through said minefield is not a reassuring picture.
I am scared.
After the previous chemical weapons attack perpetrated by Assad, President Obama, reluctantly, asked Congress for Authorization of use of military force. He did not get it. So, as he explained in an interview shortly before leaving office, he chose the alternative best for the US (or least damaging) because, as he said, he was first and foremost US President. Unauthorized attacks were, he felt, damaging to US interests. He chose to enter into an agreement with the Russians to take chemical weapons away from Assad. How the US managed to make Russia and Assad comply with that treaty, I don't know (historians of a later period will find out) but chemical weapons were not used from then on. In short. President Obama acted responsibly, but failed to put a stop on the Syrian carnage in general.
Enter Donald Trump and his disdain and incompetence in foreign policy and all of a sudden neither Russia, nor Assad felt inclined to stand by their obligation as set down in the agreement they entered into under President Obama's watch. Donald Trump's reaction? A lot of bluster and no plan at all. And still he is not speaking of Russia's role in the horror that is the Syrian war.
The world of Foreign Politics and Diplomacy is incredibly complex and a minefield in which a misstep can blow up the planet. Donald Trump blindly and mindlessly staggering through said minefield is not a reassuring picture.
I am scared.
6
I look at the expressionless face and into the empty eyes and think, 'early dementia'. I think that's why the kids are stepping in to take over his affairs. Probably also why his young wife is afraid to live with him.
We can feel for the Trumps. Most families in this situation begin to look for a home for their loved one. But what do you do when your loved one has just been elected President?
My guess is that he won't be running in 2020. In the meantime, we should support the Trump children. They are in a difficult spot. And words like 'buffoonish' and 'imbecile', in this situation, are cruel.
We can feel for the Trumps. Most families in this situation begin to look for a home for their loved one. But what do you do when your loved one has just been elected President?
My guess is that he won't be running in 2020. In the meantime, we should support the Trump children. They are in a difficult spot. And words like 'buffoonish' and 'imbecile', in this situation, are cruel.
Good point about the family needing to find an assisted living facility, or long term care nursing home for Donald, but, as we the people will unfortunately be victims of his incompetence, it's NOT cruel to use words like "buffoonish" and "imbecile".
On Inauguration Day I made a bet with a friend that Trump will be swept into the dustbin of history by the end of April. I suspected impeachment followed by treason trials for his minions. Now I suspect that Pence and the Cabinet will move forward with the 25th amendment after the Gorsuch vote. I hope and pray it is because reason prevails and not as a result of mass casualties of U.S. Service personnel because of Trump's mis-step in Korea (something I'm sure he will blame on Harry Truman for not letting MacArthur hold the line at the Yalu River).
2
I agree with all you say, except I'd bet my entire life savings that Trump has NO clue about MacArthur and the Korean war, let alone a foreign river marking a dividing line! He'll blame Obama, of course - one of the few presidents he actually knows anything about.
1
Three questions:
1. How can he be tough on Assad when Putin supports Assad, and he owes his presidency to Putin?
2. How can he be tough on China when he relies on Chinese financing for his buildings and has Chinese government tenants in his buildings.
3. When will his supporters figure this out, or do they lack the brain power to do so?
1. How can he be tough on Assad when Putin supports Assad, and he owes his presidency to Putin?
2. How can he be tough on China when he relies on Chinese financing for his buildings and has Chinese government tenants in his buildings.
3. When will his supporters figure this out, or do they lack the brain power to do so?
7
Charles, be grateful! While Trump's language regarding Syria and Assad was not your traditional "I was wrong" or "The Buck Stops here," it was an admission. For narcisist like Trump, that was an epic lift. I am sure he had to got lay down afterward.
I agree with your assessment. Starting a war in the Middle East is to jolt sagging poll numbers is PLAY 1 in the GOP playbook. And it is a way to engage with the neocons who know Trump is clueless.
Let's face it. With North Korea, Iran and Syria, we're not going make it through this administration without a war. It would be a desperate act of a petulant child but Donald is a petulant and ignorant child.
As the saying goes, "When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail." Donald lacks the temperment and the ability to engage in the sort of nuanced thinking to develop an understanding of the complexity of diplomacy and international relations. He just wants to bully nations with the threat of our military.
Thank you as well for reminding us that Trump is a draft dodger. Not surprisingly, cowards of this sort are the first to want to use the military. It is vicarious display of toughness - one in which somebody else's children pays the butcher's bill.
But let's not forget the real issue. Americans elected this idiot. We have to find a way to stop that from ever happening again. Honestly, I think there can be bipartisan agreement on that even if we can't agree on anything else.
I agree with your assessment. Starting a war in the Middle East is to jolt sagging poll numbers is PLAY 1 in the GOP playbook. And it is a way to engage with the neocons who know Trump is clueless.
Let's face it. With North Korea, Iran and Syria, we're not going make it through this administration without a war. It would be a desperate act of a petulant child but Donald is a petulant and ignorant child.
As the saying goes, "When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail." Donald lacks the temperment and the ability to engage in the sort of nuanced thinking to develop an understanding of the complexity of diplomacy and international relations. He just wants to bully nations with the threat of our military.
Thank you as well for reminding us that Trump is a draft dodger. Not surprisingly, cowards of this sort are the first to want to use the military. It is vicarious display of toughness - one in which somebody else's children pays the butcher's bill.
But let's not forget the real issue. Americans elected this idiot. We have to find a way to stop that from ever happening again. Honestly, I think there can be bipartisan agreement on that even if we can't agree on anything else.
4
the question of what to do, we will be doing, when we do what is done then they are very bad and our doing is the right action once the red line is badly crossed back from the horrendous gas the babies and you will see what.
Understood?
Understood?
Unless Mr. Blow has some magical solutions to the crises in Syria and North Korea, his weekly diatribe against Trump is pretty meaningless. Obama's "steady navigation of crisis" in both of these arenas was talk loudly and carry a little stick. Apparently Blow agrees with doing nothing but talk, and thus far that's been what Trump has been doing.
I find him terrifying in a way no amount of Xanax would relieve. This isn't anxiety but realistic fear that he could klutz us into nuclear war.
4
"I don't show my hand," is one of Donald Trump's biggest untruths. Every perceived slight is grounds for a 140-character tantrum. He trumpets every perceived win with a string of superlatives. And when he's called on his lack of competence, conflicts and all-round unsuitability for his station, he lies and deflects. I can plainly see this; I assume the world leaders with whom Trump is going to make "great deals" can see it as well.
"I don't show my hand??" Let me know when you'd like to get together for a friendly hand or two of poker, Mr. President, and bring your checkbook.
"I don't show my hand??" Let me know when you'd like to get together for a friendly hand or two of poker, Mr. President, and bring your checkbook.
2
So Assad's latest use of chemical weapons has caused Trump to reconsider his opinion of him? Because the last time he used chemical weapons didn't count? Trump didn't know about it? Well, demonstrably not true as Trump is on record criticising Obama's response at the time. Trump forgot about the last time because his attention span is that of a three year old child?
Like the "who knew healthcare was so complicated" comment Trump continually shows to anyone who is even nominally paying attention that he is completely out of his depth when dealing with anything more complicated than building a hotel, or pretending to be a tycoon on TV.
Like the "who knew healthcare was so complicated" comment Trump continually shows to anyone who is even nominally paying attention that he is completely out of his depth when dealing with anything more complicated than building a hotel, or pretending to be a tycoon on TV.
3
I blame the 60 something million people who voted for this man and the republican stooges who should know better but continue to prop him up while attempting to explain away the nonsense he spews daily.
6
Slouching towards possible Nuclear War.....
with a court jester at the helm. Hey, what could go wrong? He's "smarter than all the Generals", right donny?
with a court jester at the helm. Hey, what could go wrong? He's "smarter than all the Generals", right donny?
2
Yes, better to establish a red line, only to later call "psych" and show everyone that the line was drawn in disappearing ink. President Obama (you do realize that your usage of the word "president" when referring to Trump signals just what type of "journalist" you are, right?) stumbled for years after that debacle, allowing this situation to fester and escalate. And yet you laud him for his performance.
1
All Donald Trump is is a bratty, ill-tempered, vindictive child.
And he has all the wisdom of a bratty, bullying child. Unfortunately, when he lashes out in a temper tantrum, he has nuclear weapons at his disposal.
We truly live in perilous times.
And he has all the wisdom of a bratty, bullying child. Unfortunately, when he lashes out in a temper tantrum, he has nuclear weapons at his disposal.
We truly live in perilous times.
2
Waiting for one Charles Blow article since the election that is not about Trump.
This president is a college grad? My 10 yo grandchild speaks better than Trump does, with greater clarity and strength of vocabulary. The man sadly seems to lack insight, nuance and analytical abilities. Can you imagine if President Obama had spoken like this?
How could he change his attitude towards Syria and Assd when he had none? He is the Flim Flam man of the year.
As ill suited for the presidency as GWB was, when I saw him I saw a "president", despite my deeply held personal disdain for him and his administration.
When I see Trump, I don't see a president, I see a cartoon character villain sprung to life.
Putin is testing him in Syria, which is like sending in a kid with a few weeks of high school biology to take the medical boards.
It's starting, folks, recess is over.
Do your best.
When I see Trump, I don't see a president, I see a cartoon character villain sprung to life.
Putin is testing him in Syria, which is like sending in a kid with a few weeks of high school biology to take the medical boards.
It's starting, folks, recess is over.
Do your best.
1
What was that slogan? MAKE AMERICA CRATER IN?
The temper-mentally challenged Trump is a major concern. Our only hope is that wiser and cooler heads like Secretary of Defense Mattis and new National Security Adviser McMaster will keep Trump's trash talk to just that. But, I'm old enough to remember supposedly much more informed leaders in President Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger with their so-called "secret plan to end the Vietnam War" that involved immense escalation into Laos and Cambodia and an additional over 30,000 American casualties. So, you don't have to be an "ignoramus" or a political neophyte to cause chaos. All we really have to do is have patience as we did for almost 50 years with the Soviet Union with the Cold War policy of nuclear deterrence. The last thing we need is another war in Southeast Asia. We've "been there, done that"--twice, first in Korea and then Vietnam. Let's hope someone will remind President Trump of that history many of us lived through.
Could it be that we are heading toward our own military coup?
Competent patriotism peacefully replacing selfish narcissism.
Competent patriotism peacefully replacing selfish narcissism.
1
It's all fun and games until this clown is elected president. And his supporters will stand by him to the death, as long as it isn't their deaths.
In just a few months the rest of the world’s view of America has dived from respect and admiration to derision and fear. They see a deluded egotist who is out of his league turning to his children for guidance on grave matters of state. He is being taunted by Kim Jong-Un and Assad, and now even his hero Putin, who just asked “What is the US position on Syria?” knowing full well there is none.
Perhaps the only thing he knows is rebar and concrete (as he bragged recently) and is sure of building the silly wall everyone knows we do not need. He will do it at the expense of education, health and our standing in the world, as he scrapes the barrel to finance his Sisyphean folly.
We are in the midst of a tragedy with unfathomable consequences that will surely end badly.
Perhaps the only thing he knows is rebar and concrete (as he bragged recently) and is sure of building the silly wall everyone knows we do not need. He will do it at the expense of education, health and our standing in the world, as he scrapes the barrel to finance his Sisyphean folly.
We are in the midst of a tragedy with unfathomable consequences that will surely end badly.
1
Very good piece Charles. I watched this unfortunate press conference. Once again, this unfit and unstable president fell back on "I tell you I inherited a mess. A real mess." A reporter had to very politely be persistent until he had to concede that he is now president and he is now responsible for this. But, alas, he is willfully unprepared aand ignorant. It also concerns me how many high ranking military people are in positions of power in the White House. War is their bread and butter.
1
You say to yourself that he can't know so little about so much. But it is in fact the case. Trump is a blind man at the wheel of our collective bus and we're heading straight toward a cliff. And I'm supposed to feel Trump voter pain? Not today.
1
It's no secret that Trump bluffed himself into the presidency.
It's also not secret that he will try and lay the blame on Obama every chance he gets.
He's so jealous of Obama and he feels that Obama embarrassed him at the Correspondence dinner a few years back, so with his actions to blame Obama for his problems stems from way back.
Problem is, Trump, whether he knows it or not, is now president.
It's no secret that he is unprepared for the job, so I guess he's trying to bluff his way into that also.
Trump is really a very lazy guy.
I think Putin and now Assad knows that.
Perhaps Putin and Assad are playing a game with Trump who will make the biggest error of his time if he tries to bring troops into the region.
Putin entire game plan is to diminish the U S in the eyes of the world.
No wonder he decided to help Trump.
It's also not secret that he will try and lay the blame on Obama every chance he gets.
He's so jealous of Obama and he feels that Obama embarrassed him at the Correspondence dinner a few years back, so with his actions to blame Obama for his problems stems from way back.
Problem is, Trump, whether he knows it or not, is now president.
It's no secret that he is unprepared for the job, so I guess he's trying to bluff his way into that also.
Trump is really a very lazy guy.
I think Putin and now Assad knows that.
Perhaps Putin and Assad are playing a game with Trump who will make the biggest error of his time if he tries to bring troops into the region.
Putin entire game plan is to diminish the U S in the eyes of the world.
No wonder he decided to help Trump.
The picture with the article always tells the story. Completely blank expression looking into the middle distance. My favorite was his smirking for the diner's pix at Mar A Lago when the North Koreans decided to shoot off one of their missiles when the Japanese were here. Maybe he's thinking about how sad it is that Fox had to pay up for his good friend Bill O'Reilly.
Faking it, contemptuously, every day. His Party could remove him within days, at the most; his Party is why this crisis will have no remedy. Make that clear, having established what he is. He is his Party's license to steal, and they are not going to give that up.
9
Agree wholeheartedly; the Republicans have known from the beginning what kind of man they were supporting, revealing themselves as no more than mercenaries who will risk the lives of their families for the chance to give the 1 percent even more lucre. And increase their own bank balances.
So much for the patriotism they spout at every turn. They care nothing for democratic values or basic human decency, and it is beyond shocking. I really don't blame Trump: he's the product of a diseased mind and toadying hangers-on. It's the people giving him cover, and their toxic brand of politics, who are responsible.
So much for the patriotism they spout at every turn. They care nothing for democratic values or basic human decency, and it is beyond shocking. I really don't blame Trump: he's the product of a diseased mind and toadying hangers-on. It's the people giving him cover, and their toxic brand of politics, who are responsible.
You are spot on. It is inevitable and I am horrified. Hopefully he will be smart enough to rely upon the few grown ups on his team.
3
A reporter's 254 Character Question to a 140 Character President doesn't translate.
3
I am not confident, Mr. Blow, that generic hashing over of Trump's now well-known flaws or name-calling will get us anywhere.
Do you have other ideas rather than telling it like it is???
It is useful in preserving some kind of ongoing record of his incompetence. When the dust clears on Trump's administration apologists will attempt to deny everything we are seeing with our own eyes.
Trump is directly implicated in the chemical attack on Syrian civilians. The blood of those children is on his hands. That is, it is on our hands: he is our representative, we elected him. I have begun thinking what I have never in my life thought before: that given that we are on teetering on the edge of the abyss, true action may need to be taken before the 2018 elections to wrest power from this terrifying charlatan, who while not versed in American democracy is certainly well versed in how to establish an authoritarian oligarchy.
3
He may kow how to erect a building, but his utter lack of substance may well collapse our nation and by extension, the world.
3
All human beings are born with the ability to feel pain and pleasure. No human being is born with the ability to think.
Learning to reason is stressful; indeed, we learn to separate the emotions that we feel from the thoughts we have about how we will control our behavior. If a person is provided with a protected environment during early life, he or she will be deprived of the opportunity to learn how to function rationally no matter what his or her emotion is.
There is a finite period of life when this ability can be realized; once past the age of about 15, there is no real hope of developing one's capability of functioning rationally regardless of one's emotions. No one can control what one feels; the trick - or skill - is to act without reference to one's own emotional state.
An effective general is able to construct and carry out a battle plan according to a thought-out strategy, despite - not denying - his sadness about the fact that many of his soldiers will be killed or maimed.
An effective physician can prescribe a treatment plan despite his feelings of sympathy or pity for the pain the patient will endure - and knowing that the patient's suffering may not have the desired outcome.
Clearly, Trump's behavior is almost totally motivated by how he feels; if he feels bad, he does things that makes him feel better. He tweets or speaks to place blame on others, or meets with his family, or plays golf, or holds a campaign rally.
Trump act rationally? That ship has sailed.
Learning to reason is stressful; indeed, we learn to separate the emotions that we feel from the thoughts we have about how we will control our behavior. If a person is provided with a protected environment during early life, he or she will be deprived of the opportunity to learn how to function rationally no matter what his or her emotion is.
There is a finite period of life when this ability can be realized; once past the age of about 15, there is no real hope of developing one's capability of functioning rationally regardless of one's emotions. No one can control what one feels; the trick - or skill - is to act without reference to one's own emotional state.
An effective general is able to construct and carry out a battle plan according to a thought-out strategy, despite - not denying - his sadness about the fact that many of his soldiers will be killed or maimed.
An effective physician can prescribe a treatment plan despite his feelings of sympathy or pity for the pain the patient will endure - and knowing that the patient's suffering may not have the desired outcome.
Clearly, Trump's behavior is almost totally motivated by how he feels; if he feels bad, he does things that makes him feel better. He tweets or speaks to place blame on others, or meets with his family, or plays golf, or holds a campaign rally.
Trump act rationally? That ship has sailed.
6
Mr. Blow - Donald Trump won't "show his hand" because he has nothing to show.
2
Donald Trump shows his hand every time he opens his mouth.!
Donald Trump's lack of depth, combined with his inane syntax, make him incapable of producing/communicating coherent ideas. He's an astonishingly shallow person to be in the position he's in.
1
Yes, isn't it amazing how George W. now looks like an intellectual....
1
If Hillary had been elected and did all the things wrong that Trump has done, what would the Republicans and Trump supporters be saying?
Their hypocrisy is amazing.
It is also hurting our country.
Their hypocrisy is amazing.
It is also hurting our country.
7
Trump doesn't mind killing American children with a lack of health care, adequate nutrition, tainted water, guns etc.
8
Please. Did all that occur since Jan. 20, 2017?
1
The fumbling and constantly contradictory foreign policy statements by our ill-prepared President will certainly embolden Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and others.They will be testing our resolve in various ways to see how much advantage they can gain in this highly complex and dangerous world. It is critically important for Mr. Trump to realize that he is putting this country and its allies in real danger by his reliance on inexperienced relatives and cronies to form policy. Great leadership begins with admitting what you don't know and finding associates who do. If he is incapable of that, we are in for real trouble.
2
At Trump's press conference yesterday I could not help but be dumbfounded by how inarticulate and incoherent Trump was after I listened to the remarks made by the King of Jordan. I found myself wondering why a non-American seemed to have a better grasp of coherency and reality than our own president. And I was frightened.
The American people haven't realized yet how serious the situation is. In the meantime our representatives in Washington are playing politics as usual.
Ignorance, stupidity and shortsightedness are prevailing among the people in power.
We need God more than ever to bless America.
Ignorance, stupidity and shortsightedness are prevailing among the people in power.
We need God more than ever to bless America.
1
We need Obama now more than ever - someone disciplined, reasoned, intelligent and thoughtful - the exact opposite of what we have in the WH now.
1
We tend to look for and expect a sudden, catastrophic disaster resulting from the incompetence and instability of President Donald Trump. It may still happen, but every American should hope it does not.
More likely – and it is already happening – is the creeping weakness of the American strategic position in the world.
How is that possible with all of the Trump focus on military toughness and shiny, new hardware?
It is happening because Trump is too ignorant to understand that a nation’s security depends upon forging diplomatic ties which lessen, not increase, the need for military intervention.
It is also happening because we may be witnessing a series of pre-agreed progress payments from Trump to Vladimir Putin to repay him for money advanced to Trump and services rendered in tilting the 2016 election in Trump’s favor.
Putin is getting his way in Damascus, and he got his way in Crimea and Ukraine. Donald Trump probably feels he has no other choice, but he dare not explain that to the American people.
More likely – and it is already happening – is the creeping weakness of the American strategic position in the world.
How is that possible with all of the Trump focus on military toughness and shiny, new hardware?
It is happening because Trump is too ignorant to understand that a nation’s security depends upon forging diplomatic ties which lessen, not increase, the need for military intervention.
It is also happening because we may be witnessing a series of pre-agreed progress payments from Trump to Vladimir Putin to repay him for money advanced to Trump and services rendered in tilting the 2016 election in Trump’s favor.
Putin is getting his way in Damascus, and he got his way in Crimea and Ukraine. Donald Trump probably feels he has no other choice, but he dare not explain that to the American people.
2
"Trump harped on what he inherited from President Obama"
Maybe so, Mr. Blow, but remember Trump talks about his predecessor far less than Obama did. He talked about that "ditch" that Bush drove the country into every day for years.
Maybe so, Mr. Blow, but remember Trump talks about his predecessor far less than Obama did. He talked about that "ditch" that Bush drove the country into every day for years.
Obama inherited an economy in severe recession, a financial system that was on the verge of collapse and two wars that were draining the country's resources. Those were real problems.
Trump inherited a reasonably robust economy, a stock market at an all time high, and the two wars almost wound down.
There is a vast difference between the two. Even a ten year old can see that.
Trump inherited a reasonably robust economy, a stock market at an all time high, and the two wars almost wound down.
There is a vast difference between the two. Even a ten year old can see that.
I cringed as I watched Trump and the King of Jordan answer questions posed by the press. Here it was in sharply drawn contrast: a king, though not elected by his people, speaking with intelligence and forethought, while to his left, an elected president, speaking utter nonsense utilizing the vocabulary and excuses of a shifty 10 year old. This will not end well.
8
Trump voters, third-party voters, non-voters and the GOP (save a very few mavericks) own this--it is your fault--but it falls to all Americans to stop it, and, if we don't, all Americans will bear responsibility. We can write endlessly about how embarrassing and dangerous the situation is, but now we're starting to see real consequences. Do we allow Trump to "lead" us into war? To use nuclear weapons? Will we be at war with China by day's end? This has to stop.
20
"Will we be at war with China by day's end?" And how about with Russia? Well, let's hope the Chinese and Russian intel services monitoring the U.S. media merely find the comments of the more radical readers and viewers to be amusing rather than reflective of government policy, if it's to be avoided...
Charles is a little tough on Trump. In reality, Trump is merely a shallow, egomaniacal, lying, racist heir to a real estate fortune he bankrupted, only to be rescued by his superior con artistry. He is not an existential threat to the world order.
Or is he?
Or is he?
4
He is ... unless he's saved by the few sane people around his inner circle and the security circles ...
I am always amused when Chas, who in all likelihood has never spent a single day in our armed services, refers to the POTUS as a "draft dodger."
Trump's "strategy" is simple. Always blame Obama for anything too difficult to tackle, don't reveal your plan when you have none and claim credit for anything that goes right. And never, never let the buck stop anywhere near you. Hopefully the generals will bail him out on some of the looming crises before completion of the Russia investigations send him packing -- or to jail.
25
Congrats to Mr. Blow: one of the first op/ed writers to denounce The Donald as a "liar" and now perhaps the very first to bluntly describe him as an "imbecile." Would that all of this country's journalists had the chutzpah to stop pretending that this not-ready-for-prime-time-president was anything other than an embarrassment to the nation that elected him.
65
Of course he's not ready. This is what his supporters love about his careening, improvisational, instinctual Presidency. And when it blows up in America's face - who'll take the hit? Some general or other underling who supposedly gave the Chief bad advice. I hope I'm wrong, but I suspect over the next four years I'm going to live to see the spectacle of the absolute worst Presidency in the history of our nation. Idiocracy in action.
21
Charles I am no fan of Trump, but if you think he is a simpleton you have been conned.
4
Trump may be a world class grifter, but he is simply out of his element in world politics. He has never exhibited the intellectual curiosity or depth of understanding to make an intelligent choice in these matters. God knows what he will do about anything of significance.
There is there is an expression I use: "bad jazz". It means when the music is bad, players going off in different directions, no base line from which to improvise in synch. Forgive my mangling of musical terms. Anyway, right now we have very bad jazz coming from our government. Trump has no coherent foreign policy (other than "win"), so Tillerson is completely lost and a cipher without experienced advisors, Kushner is thrust into everything but is totally unprepared, and Bannon whispers conspiracies. Meanwhile, the House is bouncing between health care debacles--Pence replaces an ineffective Ryan to no avail--and the intelligence committee is just completely whacked. The Senate is facing a crisis over Gorsuch while doing little else.
And trump keeps bleating about whatever flits through his head after he watches Fox News.
I was wrong. This is not good enough to be bad jazz. It is more like an elementary school band at its first concert. Awful.
And trump keeps bleating about whatever flits through his head after he watches Fox News.
I was wrong. This is not good enough to be bad jazz. It is more like an elementary school band at its first concert. Awful.
405
> This is not good enough to be bad jazz. It is more like an elementary school band at its first concert.
Please, give a little credit where credit is due. At least the kids attempt to play well and do right by their audience. Trump and co don't give a [excrement].
Please, give a little credit where credit is due. At least the kids attempt to play well and do right by their audience. Trump and co don't give a [excrement].
Love this analogy. But at least the elementary school band has an adult in charge, making an attempt to organize the chaos.
I think you just insulted every elementary school band. Even they can't be as ear damaging as Trump's total lack of...well....anything!
Yes; sounding Internationally and Domestically unsophisticated. I listened to our President voice concern about the deaths of "little babies and children" by ascribing the finality of their deaths as "Lethal- So Lethal" in other words "Big Dead". Because of their *Big- Deadness*, he, too was finally convinced.
8
All in the name of big tax cuts and removing healthcare. Maybe instead of civics we should mandate "Civic discourse" in which we practice opposing political demagogues talking and exchanging ideas in high school; and instead of home economics we mandate plain old Economics, so the masses understand the trade offs between tax policy and Keynesian stimulus, or the public health effects of employer provided health insurance. until then we are all in a trouble together. This doesn't seem hard to most civilized nation states. This is a crisis of public education more than anything else, and I don't mean our leaders' education. Think Betsy gets this?
8
I share your anxiety - and keep pounding my representatives and senators because they have the power to stop him. What you share, however, Charles, is not some new great revelation - I've known this about him since he first appeared on the national stage. It is somewhat ironic that for all the effort he puts into hiding his "agenda" - he is an open book - with numerous pages torn out. God help him - and God help us!
12
The only way to get the man-child out of the WH, and put adults in charge is for Republicans to step up to the plate. They need to put America first, but sadly are so busy chomping at the bit to ram through their agenda that they make excuses and look the other way. We are in a dangerous situation on many levels. And this so-called president is not prepared to manage any of the crises that lay ahead. He's being tested and he's failing.
20
The Founders were brilliant in constructing a system of checks and balances. What they failed to foresee - and probably couldn't have - was the idea that the political parties might become so powerful as to place their individual victories above and beyond the common good. That, added to the fact that one of the major parties has been willing to engage in kamikaze strategies in de-legitimizing our various institutions, and I don't see how a problem like Trump is solved. This isn't the same Republican party as the one that, 40 years ago, was willing to turn against President Nixon in the service of the greater good of the country. As scary as it is to have a man like Trump in the Oval Office, it's even more frightening to me that so many of my fellow countrymen still believe this situation is at all acceptable.
32
Many people may die because of our Great Leader's lack of knowledge and experience. He could possibly make this a much more dangerous world. Where are all the "great" people he promised to appoint?
6
And this man went to some of the best private schools in the country. Trump's parents should have sent him to public school where these mindless rants would have been called out.
9
The real source of the problem:
“Just days after the Trump administration shockingly signaled a softer stance on President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, Assad — possibly emboldened by America’s reversed course — unleashed an atrocious chemical attack on his own people, killing dozens.”
Instead what comes out of the President Trumps mouth is the predictable resort to brazen deflection, pinning the latest chemical weapons incident on the now infamous 2013 Obama red-line crossed and not enforced. That incident did however result in Assad supposedly surrendering all of the Syrian chemical weapons stockpiles.
Great effort Blow, but Trump is still the wild man with his finger on the button, while no one seems to be able to temper his worst deficiencies or effectively rein him in — certainly not the Republican Congress that is in such amazing disarray.
“Just days after the Trump administration shockingly signaled a softer stance on President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, Assad — possibly emboldened by America’s reversed course — unleashed an atrocious chemical attack on his own people, killing dozens.”
Instead what comes out of the President Trumps mouth is the predictable resort to brazen deflection, pinning the latest chemical weapons incident on the now infamous 2013 Obama red-line crossed and not enforced. That incident did however result in Assad supposedly surrendering all of the Syrian chemical weapons stockpiles.
Great effort Blow, but Trump is still the wild man with his finger on the button, while no one seems to be able to temper his worst deficiencies or effectively rein him in — certainly not the Republican Congress that is in such amazing disarray.
5
Is it possible that Syria was emboldened by "Pentagon Admits It Used Depleted Uranium Munitions in Syria" (February 17, Democracy Now).
2
Another week, another Charles Blow column that is used to trash the President from a new angle. There's nothing of substance, just a chance to put as many criticisms and negative words as possible in his assigned space.
Charles should be racked with anxiety. He's lost any pretense of rational thought and has nothing but bile with his series of "Op-Eds." NYT please get a different, more sane and rational, Op-Ed writer. This is the nonsense you get from the internet, not from the paper of record.
Charles should be racked with anxiety. He's lost any pretense of rational thought and has nothing but bile with his series of "Op-Eds." NYT please get a different, more sane and rational, Op-Ed writer. This is the nonsense you get from the internet, not from the paper of record.
7
reply to minh z: You are correct: There is nothing of substance- to this President.
He presented Trump's past tweets in which he advised President Obama to stay out of Syria after the first gas attack, and then direct quotes from Trump's press conference yesterday. Isn't that substance?
1
Dear Minh Z - You ought to read the transcript of Trump's interview with Maggie Haberman and Glenn Thrush of the NYT from yesterday's paper. You'll need a little patience to get through it, but it should provide you with a deeper sense of this President's thought process, or lack thereof. You will certainly be provided with an intimate look at just how inarticulate and thought-free Trump is on just about any topic.
We are in trouble in this nation. The sooner the people realize it, the better.
We are in trouble in this nation. The sooner the people realize it, the better.
1
Trump is an idiot. He has NO understanding of international events and NO understanding of the complicated diplomacy needed to manage a crisis. He thinks he can simply give orders, and then everyone on earth will bow down in homage to his "tough guy" attitude. He would burn this world to the ground, just so he could be king of the ashes. The man is incompetent and dangerous. Every time he opens his mouth, he demonstrates how unbelievably STUPID he is. We will ALL suffer for his rampaging ego. #NotMyPresident #RESIST #ImpeachTrumpNOW
60
"...Trump told The Financial Times, “If China is not going to solve North Korea, we will.”
**************
Obama used the words "red line" when speaking about Syria and the gassing of civilians.
However, to make a statement such as this, saying that WE will take action should the Chinese fail to do so, means that Trump has put down a "red line" and NKorea knows this.
If NKorea continues in its testings, and China can't/won't stop it, then if Trump does nothing it is the same as he has accused Obama of doing --- not following through with a threat. And NKorea will, as Assad has done recently, accept that Trump will do nothing and they will act accordingly.
**************
Obama used the words "red line" when speaking about Syria and the gassing of civilians.
However, to make a statement such as this, saying that WE will take action should the Chinese fail to do so, means that Trump has put down a "red line" and NKorea knows this.
If NKorea continues in its testings, and China can't/won't stop it, then if Trump does nothing it is the same as he has accused Obama of doing --- not following through with a threat. And NKorea will, as Assad has done recently, accept that Trump will do nothing and they will act accordingly.
8
To be fair, when President Obama said it, he didn't do nothing - he went to the Congress as the Constitution clearly states, and asked them to approve a war act - they, being blowhards just like our President is, acted like they had been handed a hot potato and did NOTHING!!! Then, with the assistance of Russia, Assad gave up his chemical weapons - now, either Russia gave him more or he hid some somewhere since he did this horrid thing to the people. I really wish people would remember the facts - the Republicans do one thing really really well - damn better then the Democrats - they know how to message. Again, I repeat, President Obama didn't do nothing as they keep saying over and over again. CONGRESS did nothing!!!
Precisely why I supported Jim Webb for President and CIC. P.S. We would also not have the problems with tax cuts for the rich and dismantling ACA.
3
I've been saying it, and will say it again because it's started to happen.
The more intelligent world leaders - especially the evil ones - are going to play trump like the fool he is. Assad is the first baddie. There will be more.
And this nut job in the white house is going to get a LOT of people killed. Hell, he already has with the Syrian gas attack.
Good Job, trump! What's your next Stupid Pet Trick?
The more intelligent world leaders - especially the evil ones - are going to play trump like the fool he is. Assad is the first baddie. There will be more.
And this nut job in the white house is going to get a LOT of people killed. Hell, he already has with the Syrian gas attack.
Good Job, trump! What's your next Stupid Pet Trick?
35
Thank you Mr Blow. Very good article.. a succinct summary of Trump's intellect and lack of sophistication in oratory.
I really don't think he went U Penn.
Wharton.. How much did you receive from papa Trump to give a degree to this clown?
I cannot believe he really questioned Obama's credentials?
We all should be embarrassed to call him our president. BELIEVE ME!!!
I really don't think he went U Penn.
Wharton.. How much did you receive from papa Trump to give a degree to this clown?
I cannot believe he really questioned Obama's credentials?
We all should be embarrassed to call him our president. BELIEVE ME!!!
28
Be serious.
Other countries leaders will try to take advantage any way they can, regardless of who our president is or his political party affiliation.
If they were cooperative we would have more manageable illegal immigration numbers, for example, after Obama's talks with Central American leaders - what was the actual result of that?
The point being that we can demonstrate that any President cannot control other sovereign countries.
Other countries leaders will try to take advantage any way they can, regardless of who our president is or his political party affiliation.
If they were cooperative we would have more manageable illegal immigration numbers, for example, after Obama's talks with Central American leaders - what was the actual result of that?
The point being that we can demonstrate that any President cannot control other sovereign countries.
1
US economy. Russia. China. Syria. ISIS. Our president does not have enough on his plate. Plus, he has decimated the State Department's deep bench and replaced only a few with political hacks. Not to mention his unqualified son-in-law who is leading the charge on multiple top priorities. Is anyone in charge getting insight and data from a reliable source, i.e., not Faux News?
24
Answer is no. 45 believes 'he alone can solve it'. If his multiple marriages, business failures and bungling so far is 'solving it' then this can NOT end well.
Get this idiot out of the WH.
Publish the taxes.
Launch an investigation into the Russia connection.
Remove Sessions and Nunes out of their positions.
Ryan, McConnell, get a spine, do the right thing!
If you 2 can't do this to save the country, then do it for yourselves. Consider this: If this country falls, it will no longer be possible to fleece the rubes, you got to keep the gravy train on the tracks.
Publish the taxes.
Launch an investigation into the Russia connection.
Remove Sessions and Nunes out of their positions.
Ryan, McConnell, get a spine, do the right thing!
If you 2 can't do this to save the country, then do it for yourselves. Consider this: If this country falls, it will no longer be possible to fleece the rubes, you got to keep the gravy train on the tracks.
61
Dear Mr Blow,
Just to say: while Trump IS a No-nothing in the historical American sense, a better term for him is ignoramous. It is, indeed, his pride in his ignorance that most offends.
Just to say: while Trump IS a No-nothing in the historical American sense, a better term for him is ignoramous. It is, indeed, his pride in his ignorance that most offends.
36
Seriously, Mr. Blow? Do you really have to hurl gratuitous insults at us?
Haven't we, the imbeciles of the world, suffered enough for you to come along and state that the current occupant of the Oval Office is one of us?
We demand an immediate retraction!
Haven't we, the imbeciles of the world, suffered enough for you to come along and state that the current occupant of the Oval Office is one of us?
We demand an immediate retraction!
10
Difficult for me to understand how Mr. Blow's latest tirade qualifies as responsible, informative journalism.To call our c-in-c an "imbecile, buffoonish" is both inaccurate and unsportsmanlike. It also indicates that he has still not accepted results of the election, and remains , like many on the left, consumed by bitterness, hurt feelings.Having a tantrum in print should not qualify as enlightened or professional. Recall that when Breslin went after Trump for being an unscrupulous landlord, he visited hovels in TRUMP PARC, selling for a fortune, and when he attacked him for his misuse of the English language,he quoted Trump's habit of saying "between you and I!"Perhaps it is time for Mr. Blow to venture where others might fear to tread, to go out and meet some Trump voters like a colleague of his has done, and whose recent articles r an epiphany for me.Still have not heard about outcome of challenge to Deray Mckesson to join the Dallas P.D.I support BLM but one should have the courage of one's convictions,and having been issued a dare by Dallas Police Chief no less,Mr. Mckesson should have the stamina to accept it.What say you, Mr. Blow?
5
It's not journalism, it's a column.
I'm equally unsure how this qualifies as a "responsible (and) informative" comment. You don't address the topic at hand, and ignore a mountain of evidence that supports Mr. Blow's "buffoonish" characterization. Then, you pivot to a nonsensical point about BLM, which says nothing about our President's ability to lead on the international stage. Comment fail.
Did you even read this piece? If so, did you understand it? Mr. Blow is talking about the geopolitical implications of having an ignorant, uninformed, clueless person in the office of POTUS, indeed as the leader of the free world. If DT gets this country into an international crisis it is totally irrelevant what the witless Trump voters have to say or feel.
"Draft dodger"?
Really, Mr. Blow.
A Cheap shot. An irrelevant shot.
Beneath you.
Really, Mr. Blow.
A Cheap shot. An irrelevant shot.
Beneath you.
6
But oh, so supported by the facts!
6
BUT TRUE!
You're worried about a cheap shot at this point? We've got MUCH bigger problems.
1
I share your concern Mr. Blow. We risk being plunged into WWIII by a leader who is ignorant of the issues, doesn't care that he is ignorant, and worse has no idea that he is ignorant. I pray that somewhere in the White House there are some Trump-whisperers who can talk the man into making a sane measured response to these potential crises. So far no one has stepped up, not even Ivanka. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
13
Thank you again, Mr. Blow.
The Kind of Chaos may well get us into another armed conflict with boots on the ground. Another quagmire. Another war with no end in sight.
The Kind of Chaos may well get us into another armed conflict with boots on the ground. Another quagmire. Another war with no end in sight.
12
Oh I'm sure there are some traitors beholden to trump jong un that stand to make billions off the backs of dead and maimed military members during war.
This is the only way that I can recommend your fine work, Mr. Blow. Thanks so much.
19
Thank you Charles M. Blow! We desperately need you.
24
Thank you Mr. Blow! However, the real fault is not Trump's or his cronies, but rather those who thoughtlessly voted for him and continue to support him. Our democracy has been in decline for as long as this 71yo can remember. We have been a fascist state since shortly after WWII, when our socialist experiment began to be dismantled by the military industrial complex, which now utterly runs the government, finance, the military, industry, education, and the rest of society at large. Blaming Satan for the evil in the world is as naive as blaming Trump for the further deterioration of democracy in our country. We are the source of the true causes: ignorance of the world around us, selfish monopolization of the world's natural resources, massive overpopulation, massive militarization, world-wide imperialistic occupations, world-ending pollution, ever more child-like regression of our corporate behavior, exploding addiction problems, collapse of morality, and ever greater isolation from reality. We need to stop blaming others and pay attention to our own individual roles in the current multi-layered catastrophe. The child-in-chief is simply a painful reflection of what we have become as individuals. We need to stop blaming others and take responsibility for our own actions, or in-actions.
23
Good show, Doc! But after more than 40 years from the pulpit, folks don't like to hear about themselves: take a look at the prophet Amos, as an example. As long as we, the people, continue to shout " U.S.A, U.S.A. " whenever we get the opportunity to do so and fail to realize that we are NOT # 1 in all things, we shall continue to blame others for many of the situations we project onto the rest of the world.
1
amen!!
During her last years, my mother suffered from dementia. Her personality was intact. She could interact with those around her. But as soon as she said something, she forgot that she said it.
Her dementia was progressive in that is began over ten years before it reached that level. Her time span of reality steadily shrunk down to a few seconds.
Yesterday, Trump was outraged when he saw images of the slaughtered babies, killed by poison gas. He said his position has changed. Assad has been slaughtering babies for six years now. He has killed well over 400,000 people and at least one third have been children and babies. He had to have known this was happening. Did he forget about that?
If Trump is slipping into the abyss of dementia, that would explain his constant flip flops, contradictions, and course changes. He is all over the place. Everything changes from one minute to the next. He truly lives in the moment.
That was my mother's world. She lived in the moment because that's her mind would allow. Trump keeps talking about his record shattering electoral college win, which shattered no records. Maybe that's because his mind won't let him go anywhere else.
Pay close attention to his reactions, with the thought of them being caused by increasing dementia. Trump could very well be slipping into the abyss. The stress of the office is breaking him down.
Her dementia was progressive in that is began over ten years before it reached that level. Her time span of reality steadily shrunk down to a few seconds.
Yesterday, Trump was outraged when he saw images of the slaughtered babies, killed by poison gas. He said his position has changed. Assad has been slaughtering babies for six years now. He has killed well over 400,000 people and at least one third have been children and babies. He had to have known this was happening. Did he forget about that?
If Trump is slipping into the abyss of dementia, that would explain his constant flip flops, contradictions, and course changes. He is all over the place. Everything changes from one minute to the next. He truly lives in the moment.
That was my mother's world. She lived in the moment because that's her mind would allow. Trump keeps talking about his record shattering electoral college win, which shattered no records. Maybe that's because his mind won't let him go anywhere else.
Pay close attention to his reactions, with the thought of them being caused by increasing dementia. Trump could very well be slipping into the abyss. The stress of the office is breaking him down.
45
That's a real possibility. My mother died from dementia at age 86. She did pretty well until the last couple of years of her life. I remember saying something to her & she denied that I said it immediately thereafter. Until those last years I just assumed that she was a high-functioning paranoid, always angry at the world, believing that there was no such thing as coincidence, and carrying grudges her entire life. He motto might have been never forgive, never forget.
We should be afraid, very, very afraid.
17
How anyone could have watched yesterday's joint press conference and not see the cluelessness of Trump is beyond me. It was cringeworthy. He should consider the sage advice - "it is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it."
33
My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is just beginning.
25
To a critical minority of Americans, Trump is doing a great job, because he says he is.
If any of that group sees us in panic, they are even more certain he is what he promised to be, the disrupter of a rigged system.
Trump is the product of our system, but removing him won't change the system, which will just churn out more like him.
So, how do we get to the origin of the problem? Acknowledge that other countries out-educate and outwork us. Acknowledge that it is no fun to "win" when the system restrains others, especially women, from pursuing their dreams. Acknowledge that inventing a war somewhere else is a means of avoiding problems at home.
And then promote plans to make society more dynamic, and make the American dream available to people of all colors, genders and creeds. We need a critical minority committed to audacity, more audacity, and always audacity of hope. That minority cannot wait for a leader, it has to spring from everywhere.
If any of that group sees us in panic, they are even more certain he is what he promised to be, the disrupter of a rigged system.
Trump is the product of our system, but removing him won't change the system, which will just churn out more like him.
So, how do we get to the origin of the problem? Acknowledge that other countries out-educate and outwork us. Acknowledge that it is no fun to "win" when the system restrains others, especially women, from pursuing their dreams. Acknowledge that inventing a war somewhere else is a means of avoiding problems at home.
And then promote plans to make society more dynamic, and make the American dream available to people of all colors, genders and creeds. We need a critical minority committed to audacity, more audacity, and always audacity of hope. That minority cannot wait for a leader, it has to spring from everywhere.
11
No, the problem, which you refuse to acknowledge, is ideas and policies pushed by the establishment of both parties no longer work for many citizens. The economy, illegal aliens and immigration policy, trade deal imbalances and other ideas for policy are different from the corporatist Democrats (and Republicans) that you support.
"Acknowledge ......." is indicative of the recent Democrat playbook for the Presidential election. More preaching.
Perhaps you should do more listening and less preaching. You might, just might, learn what "the problem" is for many people, and why Trump was elected.
"Acknowledge ......." is indicative of the recent Democrat playbook for the Presidential election. More preaching.
Perhaps you should do more listening and less preaching. You might, just might, learn what "the problem" is for many people, and why Trump was elected.
1
He has built a powerful coalition of mean people and stupid people for the rich people to manipulate for their own profit.
The saddest and most frightening part of him, is that he is incapable of admitting (to himself or others) and comprehending what it is that he does not know.
23
The most terrifying thing is that those who voted for him utterly disregard this mess.
Ditto for the still unrealized dismantling of Obamacare, (but in this case the administration is actively undermining it with lies and uncertainty)
Ditto for the still unrealized dismantling of Obamacare, (but in this case the administration is actively undermining it with lies and uncertainty)
9
I am still so totally bewildered. How did he get so many to vote for him when to do so was against his and his family's best interests? At this point, I guess I have to conclude that in America today-- Hate Trumps Love.
1
I am troubled by Trump's willingness to describe most issues as a mess he inherited, the economy is a mess, health care is a mess, NAFTA is a mess, etc. Yet that is the very nature of the Presidency. If they weren't difficult issues they wouldn't be on his desk--imagine Truman complaining about the mess he inherited. Lesser (wo)men, if that were possible, would, humbled by the responsibility of the position, would roll up their sleeves, learn the issues, depend upon the people in government and experts then get on with the job and not waste time and credibility trying to find someone else to blame.
21
Amen. Our President continually demonstrates that he lacks the ability to be a thoughtful and effective leader.
Classic Trump - it's the fact that the bombing has 'crossed so many lines for me'. Everything is about himself and his own personal feelings - the issue of the human rights of the victims or the geo-political situation has no impact unless it impacts directly upon the personal feelings of the President.
It appears that US policy is less about an overall strategy and more about reacting to the feelings of the President.
It appears that US policy is less about an overall strategy and more about reacting to the feelings of the President.
14
From his conversations with the press, we see that Trump doesn't even know what he doesn't know...
11
Ivanka Trump Kushner and her husband would become lasting American heros, if they put the well being and safety of the American people first and convinced her father to step down. Carving their likenesses on Mount Rushmore, would be just a small token of our gratitude.
6
It is up to the Republican Congress to take action - they need to privately or publicly pressure Trump to bring in top notch advisers and experts on Syria and North Korea, or risk loosing all their support. Are they willing to do this?
2
The conventional wisdom here in the US and around the world is that "President" Trump is now in way over his head. That he not only was unprepared for his new role, but that he ran in the primaries really because he liked the competition, the chase, the "hunt." That he did not *really* want to be president of the USA.
Now, through his use of imprecise language, he has raised the stakes far higher vis-a-vis North Korea and Syris than his predecessor ever did.
It seems, with each passing hour, that he has no choice but to authorize military action.
Unless, of course, he cares not one iota about US credibility and the perceptions of our allies around the world.
Then we will really be in trouble.
Now, through his use of imprecise language, he has raised the stakes far higher vis-a-vis North Korea and Syris than his predecessor ever did.
It seems, with each passing hour, that he has no choice but to authorize military action.
Unless, of course, he cares not one iota about US credibility and the perceptions of our allies around the world.
Then we will really be in trouble.
6
How does a person with a vocabulary of 165 words communicate?
5
Never ever listen to an American billionaire
8
Mr Trump has huffed and puffed and bluffed his way through life and in the business world this has got him far. But no one can bluff his way through the Presidency. It is clear that in time Trump's huffing and puffing will only blow himself down. I just hope he doesn't take us with him.
12
A lot of these problems are intractable and Blow's language is operatic but basically he's right. We have a complete simpleton in the WH who is totally unequipped to deal with them and an administration showing distinct signs of dysfunction. While Tillerson is in witness protection the son in law also rises. What does Priebus do? There's a lying comic at the press desk. Ivanka peddles her Chinese cosmetics and makes public statements of mind bending banality. Pence is working hard take health insurance off tens of millions. Bannon looks as if he's just come from a meeting of AA. I'm lapsing into to Sturm und Drang here so maybe Blow's operatic language is not so inappropriate!
55
Brilliant
Forget everything else for today.
The most important thing today - Thursday, April 6, 2017 - is that the traitor Senator Mitch McConnell plans to change OUR United States Senate rules so his bare majority Koch brothers/ Russian-backed buddies can put an EXTREME CONSERVATIVE on OUR United States Supreme Court. The nominee will do all he can to OVERTURN ROE V WADE and will take America one step closer to being a RADICAL CHRISTIAN nation by further eradicating Separation of Church and State.
WE MUST NOT LET THEM GET AWAY WITH IT. It is time for #US TRAITOR SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL - NO GORSUCH - to be sent to him, Chuck Grassley, John McCain and every other "conservative" Senator and traitorous Democrats who intend to vote for the nominee.
WE must also call, e-mail, show up in person and RESIST and OBSTRUCT in every way - TODAY!!!
Only WE - THE PEOPLE can save democracy in America. LET'S DO IT!!
The most important thing today - Thursday, April 6, 2017 - is that the traitor Senator Mitch McConnell plans to change OUR United States Senate rules so his bare majority Koch brothers/ Russian-backed buddies can put an EXTREME CONSERVATIVE on OUR United States Supreme Court. The nominee will do all he can to OVERTURN ROE V WADE and will take America one step closer to being a RADICAL CHRISTIAN nation by further eradicating Separation of Church and State.
WE MUST NOT LET THEM GET AWAY WITH IT. It is time for #US TRAITOR SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL - NO GORSUCH - to be sent to him, Chuck Grassley, John McCain and every other "conservative" Senator and traitorous Democrats who intend to vote for the nominee.
WE must also call, e-mail, show up in person and RESIST and OBSTRUCT in every way - TODAY!!!
Only WE - THE PEOPLE can save democracy in America. LET'S DO IT!!
23
"operating under a cloud of illegitimacy"
That is Blow indulging in what Kristof calls in his column today "making Democrats crazy with rage."
There is much to criticize. There is much to improve. There is far too much that the Democrats did not get right and now the Republicans are making even worse.
We can't deal with any of that while declaring the elected office holders illegitimate and refusing to do anything but fume.
That is Blow indulging in what Kristof calls in his column today "making Democrats crazy with rage."
There is much to criticize. There is much to improve. There is far too much that the Democrats did not get right and now the Republicans are making even worse.
We can't deal with any of that while declaring the elected office holders illegitimate and refusing to do anything but fume.
6
There is not much else than we can do given the fact that Trump and his enablers have all the power right now. The truth is that it is important to keep up the fuming because we need to change this situation through the ballot box during the up-coming local and national elections. We cannot let go of the outrage!
6
I believe Blow is referring to the fact that until we resolve Trump's ties to Russia, the legitimacy of our previous election, and that of the result, are still indeed at play. This is the cloud he's referring to - not Democratic grumbling.
7
The ONLY way to clear this Russia affair up is an independent prosecutor
Reagan did it with Iran Contra.
If it's legitimacy they want, agree to this
I am not holding my breath.
Reagan did it with Iran Contra.
If it's legitimacy they want, agree to this
I am not holding my breath.
Many people worry how Trump will manage a crisis. But the US is already facing a crisis and that is that Trump is US president. The next year will be tumultuous, his flawed character and personality guarantee it. It will be serious test of the resilience of US government institutions.
362
IF he lasts that long without walking away
Who knew the job would be so tough? Let's just sell Chinese cosmetics and buy overpriced manhattan skyscrapers and borrow more $ from Putin.....
Who knew the job would be so tough? Let's just sell Chinese cosmetics and buy overpriced manhattan skyscrapers and borrow more $ from Putin.....
A man with no knowledge can have no real plans, even if he thinks he does.
It is all embarrassing and frightening.
It is all embarrassing and frightening.
81
When I read the Times account of the yesterday's news conference, it was amazing how coherent and ordinary Trump's quotes sounded. I was able to actually see the conference, and believe me, Mr. Trump sounded neither coherent nor ordinary. The degree of dancing around and word salads he used to answer questions was both funny and frightening. It was clear that all he has to offer is large quantities of bluster and rage-filled threats, but that when it comes to intelligent, well planned policies, his "great brain" is absolutely empty. I fear for the future. I see a great deal of human suffering on the horizon of Mr. Trump's administration.
128
You make an excellent point. All Trump's chest pounding about North Korea, Syria and other "hot spots" does not abode well for America. I am especially concerned about the young rank and file military troops that he will be sending off to fight so he can put another notch on his belt. Where have all the flower gone, when will we learn as the song goes......never I suspect.
I fear for the Present, and if you had only one choice of taking up a study of ancient ruins, or building new houses from ruins with solar energy, you may wish to ask yourself which would it be.
1
Yeah, Putin really pulled a good one on us.
Exactly what were the benefits of Obama's "sophisticated" Assad strategy, which included his empty threat chemical weapons "line in the sand" ? It gifted Putin an opening for Russia to militarily re-enter the Middle East for the first time in decades. It also likely gave Putin another reason to think he could influence our election with impunity.
7
The big benefit was that Syria today is not Iraq of the Bush/Cheney years. That is a very big benefit.
25
The point is that with Obama & Co we had intelligent, knowledgeable people making the best decisions they could in impossible situations. Not all of them worked. But with Trump & Co we have an intellectually compromised reality-TV host/real-estate developer and a cabinet of Wall Street million/billionaires who give no indication that they either know anything about what's going on, or what to do about it.
That was sort of the point of the article, Apolitical.
That was sort of the point of the article, Apolitical.
11
President Obama did not have the Support of The People and We The People of America have inherited this tragedy.
2
The emperor has no clothes. But unlike the fable, in which nobody can see it, tens of millions can see it now. And it is indeed a scary sight.
66
Never in my time had that classic fable seemed so relevant. We LITERALLY are on the wrong bus and we can only guess at what bad outcome will happen.
As the vise of investigation closes, and the pressures on the Twitter King becomes more and more intense, he still holds his finger on the trigger. In his mind a war with North Korea may be a path to redemption or at least unassailable power. In his dark mirror he will be the savior; no one would dare remove him during such a war. China is being set up as the “peaceful” alternative that Trump can use as a scapegoat.
There are many ways North Korea deliver nuclear weapons or material to many different targets or actors. Missiles are but one.
Please convince me I am wrong.
There are many ways North Korea deliver nuclear weapons or material to many different targets or actors. Missiles are but one.
Please convince me I am wrong.
17
Blow performs an important service here, reminding us of the consequences of our own buffoonery in electing and indulging this. Know-nothing-ism itself should be grounds for an Article 25; and surely the business conflicts of interest and the Russia scandal are de-legitimizing and should be grounds for impeachment soon. The article reminds us that we may actually need a real president, and soon.
35
Unfortunately, moving down the line of succession, I see no "real president" to be had.
4
Trump's modus operandi is to take credit for anything that is "good news" and blame any bad news on the right's favorite targets; Obama, the media, and "fake news". On top of that he lies about anything and everything even when it can be easily and demonstrably shown to be a lie. He either doesn't care what we think or isn't smart enough to know we know he's lying.
We are fast becoming the unstable, unreliable laughing stock of the world and I hate to think about what more will happen as a result. One thing I'm sure of; when it does happen Trump will blame it all on Obama, the media or "fake news".
We are fast becoming the unstable, unreliable laughing stock of the world and I hate to think about what more will happen as a result. One thing I'm sure of; when it does happen Trump will blame it all on Obama, the media or "fake news".
43
Do you remember the film "Galaxy Quest" where a team of Hollywood actors lead by a drunk fake captain were mistaken for real starship warriors by an alien species. . . and were taken to another galaxy to help fight a war against a force trying to destroy many worlds? Is it possible for Hollywood to step in and help rewrite the Trump presidency so that it turns out like "Galaxy Quest"? Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver saved the day in the movie. It could happen. . . maybe.
12
Mr. Blow, after reading your article one might feel a bit sad, depressed, even worried about what our Fearless Leader may or may not do. I suggest, instead, that you listen less to what he says that what he means to say:
No one, nobody, knows more about the world than he does. And he has a great plan, not one that he'll tell us about, because that would be stupid to tell your enemies what you plan to do, but it's a wonderful plan, the best, the best you've never seen, and it will bring order and respect - just you wait - and everyone will be amazed although they shouldn't because he's the best and the smartest and no one has a greater respect for the world than he, and he knows more than those generals and politicians and he has nothing but the best, the greatest, wonderful people working for him, great respect for them, they are just the best, and you will be fine.
No one, nobody, knows more about the world than he does. And he has a great plan, not one that he'll tell us about, because that would be stupid to tell your enemies what you plan to do, but it's a wonderful plan, the best, the best you've never seen, and it will bring order and respect - just you wait - and everyone will be amazed although they shouldn't because he's the best and the smartest and no one has a greater respect for the world than he, and he knows more than those generals and politicians and he has nothing but the best, the greatest, wonderful people working for him, great respect for them, they are just the best, and you will be fine.
27
Mr. Trump was not, and is not, prepared to be President.
60
But more than 60 million Americans voted for him. Whom should we blame?
In all honesty I am not surprised the President didn't have an exact answer for the questions. However, by now he should know how to provide a response that is more intelligent. Example" The act committed was very serious . We will be studying the facts and the results of the investigations to be sure we fully understand what took place and who is culpable. Once that information is available and analyzed, we will develop a response that will be commensurate with the crime" or something to that effect. This or a variation of this should be in the pocket of any major leader to use when asked to respond to a complicated question. Especially when the full details of what has happened and our available responses and their repercussions have yet to be fully analyzed. However, stammering in front of other leaders and on TV only reinforces the opinions of our friends and enemies that we are clueless.
35
I think it's the fact he seems incapable of even dodging a question gracefully that makes some wonder about his mental capacity/health.
That fake doctor's report he provided before the election - was that ever followed up with a real examination?
That fake doctor's report he provided before the election - was that ever followed up with a real examination?
1
President Obama was the real articulate imbecile that created many international situations that we have in front of us right now.
3
Did President Obama invade Iraq and Afghanistan, which destabilized the Middle East? I know Republicans like to think so, but knowing history is not their forte.
No, George Bush and Dick Cheney created this situation in 2003. You are only see the results of Pre-emptive war in a tribal nation.
4
Yes let's blame Obama. That mantra is wearing thin already. Trump whines about the "mess" he inherited. Constantly. Well, if he feels that way he should never have sought the office. I've never heard of any other president whine so much about how unfair his situation is. The defining nature of the job is it's difficulty and challenges; whining about them and scurrying off to Florida for golf rounds won't resolve the problems. The unvarnished truth is that Trump is an unqualified imbecile who certainly benefitted from the intervention of our worst adversary and is now operating in full panic mode, making the situation even more dangerous. The best thing he could do for the country is resign and take himself to Florida to improve his golf game.
Study the downfall of great civilizations.
We are more and more conforming to that pattern.
We are more and more conforming to that pattern.
27
The FBI and the Senate intelligence committee can't complete their investigations into Trump's Russian connections fast enough for me. I realize they have to take however long it takes to establish exactly what those connections were, but with all this smoke, there almost certainly is a fire.
Trump is unfit to be president, but he has to be removed from office legally, not by a military coup of some of the generals he has hired, who no doubt are aware of the repercussions if this ignoramus continues in office too long.
Trump is unfit to be president, but he has to be removed from office legally, not by a military coup of some of the generals he has hired, who no doubt are aware of the repercussions if this ignoramus continues in office too long.
30
The People are sovereign in this country. We made one revolution to establish that power. We can make another to preserve it, if necessary.