I suspect he is less crazy without a camera in front of him but President Bonespurs is still a menace and an idiot. That might be workable BUT he is also a really horrible person. I wonder if the republicans will ever choose the world and the USA over party loyalty.
6
Is it too early to replace the "POTUS" symbol with a "Baby on Board" sign?
123
Please tell me how Donald Trump isn't the biggest human Ponzi scheme in history.
72
Let's just hope he is not full of hot air and means what he says.
5
Why is it that Presidents who used questionable means
to avoid military service are so quick to advocate military action?
George W. used his father's connections to join the National Guard and avoid service in Vietnam. Then he lied to the country in order to invade Iraq, a decision that killed thousands of our best young people, crippled thousands more, and cost us billions of dollars.
Trump got a bogus note from his doctor about bone spurs to also avoid service in Vietnam. Now he's talking about starting a war with North Korea that would kill thousands of people and might even lead to a nuclear holocaust. He's also talking about a military intervention in Venezuela!
There is a special place in Hell for people who are afraid of risking their life for their country but have no problem sending others into harm's way. I believe the best description for this kind of person is "chicken hawk".
to avoid military service are so quick to advocate military action?
George W. used his father's connections to join the National Guard and avoid service in Vietnam. Then he lied to the country in order to invade Iraq, a decision that killed thousands of our best young people, crippled thousands more, and cost us billions of dollars.
Trump got a bogus note from his doctor about bone spurs to also avoid service in Vietnam. Now he's talking about starting a war with North Korea that would kill thousands of people and might even lead to a nuclear holocaust. He's also talking about a military intervention in Venezuela!
There is a special place in Hell for people who are afraid of risking their life for their country but have no problem sending others into harm's way. I believe the best description for this kind of person is "chicken hawk".
110
I strongly suspect every "alt-right" demonstrator in Charlottesville is a Trump supporter. He continues to have the support of 38ish percent of American voters (virtually all Republicans, sadly). Do the math, and see what it tells you about a large percentage of our population. We cannot rid ourselves of these people, and they are not to be persuaded. There is only one way to rid our selves of their pernicious infliuence on our democratic way of life: vote, vote, and vote.
104
Notice that trump trash talks at the north koreans but is a little pussycat when he talks about putin.
49
Thanks, Republicans.
39
I am counting on James Mattis to have a plan.
Thanks Gail, for bringing some light and humor to this ridiculous time.
Thanks Gail, for bringing some light and humor to this ridiculous time.
19
This President is The Big Know Nothing. He is so ignorant that he can't even figure out that the citizens of this nation who work for the State Department get paid by the American people and do not get "fired" by Putin. They just get sent home. We continue to pay their salaries until Trump fires them and there's no one left but Tillerson at the State Dept. And he knows little more than Trump although he seems sane.
Right at this moment in every department in the Cabinet, the Secretaries are busy at work dismantling and accepting those who resign or firing the men and women who pass the civil service tests to work for their nation (so we don't have massive numbers of political appointees there as we did in the 19th century). Unseen by Americans is the termite destruction of our nation by political appointees approved by a Republican Congress in the misguided notion that you don't need any expertise to run a government agency and that smaller is always better and cheaper.
Our present President is smaller than previous men but he is costing us a fortune in accumulated global political good will and a fortune in dollars for the time he spends at his resorts, some 25% of his first 250 days in office! How long will it take Trump voters to realize that this President can ONLY channel resentment and anger, that he isn't capable of creating the circumstances to generate jobs and a better life for them?
Right at this moment in every department in the Cabinet, the Secretaries are busy at work dismantling and accepting those who resign or firing the men and women who pass the civil service tests to work for their nation (so we don't have massive numbers of political appointees there as we did in the 19th century). Unseen by Americans is the termite destruction of our nation by political appointees approved by a Republican Congress in the misguided notion that you don't need any expertise to run a government agency and that smaller is always better and cheaper.
Our present President is smaller than previous men but he is costing us a fortune in accumulated global political good will and a fortune in dollars for the time he spends at his resorts, some 25% of his first 250 days in office! How long will it take Trump voters to realize that this President can ONLY channel resentment and anger, that he isn't capable of creating the circumstances to generate jobs and a better life for them?
74
The only thing worse than Trump's comments thanking Putin for expelling the 755 America diplomats was Trump's complete ignorance of the fact that they are career public servants who remain on payroll.
An American president who can't (or won't) understand the basics of how government works (we are the ones who pay our employees) and who is obviously in the pocket of the Russian dictator.
Even worse, Rex Tillerson, former CEO of Exxon/Mobil who did business with Russia despite sanctions in effect at the time, is another corrupt and contemptible person in this Administration. Tillerson never said one single word in support of the men and women of the State Dept. who work in US embassies around the world. Not a single word in support of the employees of department he heads (not leads) - the very few that are left anyway.
Trump is trying to eradicate the State Dept. and the government of the United States and that is the plan of Steve Bannon, this country's actual president.
Don't just drain the swamp. Remove it entirely.
An American president who can't (or won't) understand the basics of how government works (we are the ones who pay our employees) and who is obviously in the pocket of the Russian dictator.
Even worse, Rex Tillerson, former CEO of Exxon/Mobil who did business with Russia despite sanctions in effect at the time, is another corrupt and contemptible person in this Administration. Tillerson never said one single word in support of the men and women of the State Dept. who work in US embassies around the world. Not a single word in support of the employees of department he heads (not leads) - the very few that are left anyway.
Trump is trying to eradicate the State Dept. and the government of the United States and that is the plan of Steve Bannon, this country's actual president.
Don't just drain the swamp. Remove it entirely.
74
"act, um, minimally"?? Please remember that what his cabinet is doing with environment, education,courts.......etc., etc. also gets chalked up to our talkative leader. See today's front page news about Pruett, for example.
31
Bellicosity--Trump's drug of choice. Guess Viagra isn't enough.
27
Trump thinks talking tough makes him appear presidential, gives him credibility. Outside of Trump idolators, it doesn't. Trump talks the talk but has never walked the walk. Credibility comes from past endeavors. It one looks for any sign of courage and bravery in the arena, Trump is bankrupt.
We might consider the opinions of men who put their lives into the breach. Men like John McCain or John Kerry, all those others who served their country in some way, instead of gaining fame by splattering their name on everything, scarring the Manhattan skyline with their garish ugliness.
Tough men never need to talk tough, but when they do, take heed. Men, and now women, who put their lives in harm's way when they could have, like Trump, gotten out going into battle, even serving in any branch of the Armed Services, are the ones we need to respect. Not Trump, the wuss, the baby, the man-child who bullied his way through life on the reputation and coattails of his Father. Trump has never had to account for any of his unethical criminal behavior. Trump thinks he can do the same as president. This mentally unstable ignoramus is in for rude awakening. He is going to find being an employee of the government is a whole lot harder than being a rich brat, with a far stricter rules to adhere to. Robert Mueller is going to impart this harsh lesson to this brute. Trump's day of reckoning is coming, and not too soon.
DD
Manhattan
We might consider the opinions of men who put their lives into the breach. Men like John McCain or John Kerry, all those others who served their country in some way, instead of gaining fame by splattering their name on everything, scarring the Manhattan skyline with their garish ugliness.
Tough men never need to talk tough, but when they do, take heed. Men, and now women, who put their lives in harm's way when they could have, like Trump, gotten out going into battle, even serving in any branch of the Armed Services, are the ones we need to respect. Not Trump, the wuss, the baby, the man-child who bullied his way through life on the reputation and coattails of his Father. Trump has never had to account for any of his unethical criminal behavior. Trump thinks he can do the same as president. This mentally unstable ignoramus is in for rude awakening. He is going to find being an employee of the government is a whole lot harder than being a rich brat, with a far stricter rules to adhere to. Robert Mueller is going to impart this harsh lesson to this brute. Trump's day of reckoning is coming, and not too soon.
DD
Manhattan
43
As always Gail Collins, thanks for letting me laugh, not a tortured rictus of a grin but a good belly laugh.
14
Trump may be unhinged and irrational.
Or maybe not.
He is successfully distracting the public and the media while Scott Pruitt dismantles the EPA, Jeff Sessions uses the Justice Department to roll back gains in civil rights and lobbyists for corporate America re-write regulations in secrecy.
On the whole, quite an accomplishment in only seven months or so.
Dear media, keep your eye on the ball. Don't fall for the diversions.
Or maybe not.
He is successfully distracting the public and the media while Scott Pruitt dismantles the EPA, Jeff Sessions uses the Justice Department to roll back gains in civil rights and lobbyists for corporate America re-write regulations in secrecy.
On the whole, quite an accomplishment in only seven months or so.
Dear media, keep your eye on the ball. Don't fall for the diversions.
55
The Republican Party spawned this terror, and now Republicans must accept the responsibility for ending it. Even before Mueller's investigation is complete, the Congress must act to protect us against Trump's ability to wage anything. They must also invoke the nepotism clause and insist that Trump's relatives exit their positions and head back to NYC where they belong. (Obviously, they're failing at providing the "restraint" for which many had hoped.) And how about enforcing the emoluments clause or holding some hearings into how Trump's businesses are benefiting from from his presidency. Republicans like to invoke the "broken windows" philosophy as an example of how law enforcement is made easier by stopping crime early on. So, put your money where your mouth is, Republicans. Make this president adhere to the rule of law in these areas as visible reminders he cannot flaunt the Constitution just as he has flaunted the law throughout his life.
21
Good grief. This man is insane and is devoid of the ability to think critically and actually solve a problem. HIs ego gets in the way of his decision making and he is NOT the greatest at anything and he needs to quit telling the world he is. The world is alarmed.
And as for the comment about the State Dept. employees, how disheartened must they be to hear the President say that. It totally invalidates their careers and demonstrates he has no idea how the State Dept. functions.
And as for the comment about the State Dept. employees, how disheartened must they be to hear the President say that. It totally invalidates their careers and demonstrates he has no idea how the State Dept. functions.
32
Now I get it. It's a smartphone. That's why the tweets are more grammatically correct and coherent than his spoken word.
26
"TFC" the lead character in the Bigly Book blog is performing just as expected. The irony of the end of Western Civilization happening on a golf course in New Jersey is laughable if it wasn't so serious. Thank you, Gail, for helping all of us see this as a Comedy of Errors and not an actual prelude to World War III. It certainly makes me long for the days of Mitt Romney with a dog on the roof of his car and George W. Bush unable to pronounce the word "nuclear". Now, we not only pronounce it, we're "locked and loaded"!!!
16
Leaving aside every other possible horror, one thing not mentioned is the nuclear radiation that can be released in just destroying a a nuclear facility or a nuclear weapon with a bomb.
18
Gail, with all due respect, I can't laugh anymore. My stomach churns and my blood pressure rises as I read the articles on the front page of the NYT. All the worst predictions and statements of warning regarding either what might happen in a crisis or whether this was the person you wanted near the nuclear button seem to be coming true. Forget the article on Scott Pruitt's EPA acting in secret ... Trump's nuclear war will destroy the planet much quicker.
16
So all the right can do is react defensively. They haven't the courage to stand up for sanity and righteousness.
How gutless are Ryan, McConnell, and their heard?
Not hearing from the Democratic leadership either, could you please speak up Chuck, Nancy, other senior leaders.
How gutless are Ryan, McConnell, and their heard?
Not hearing from the Democratic leadership either, could you please speak up Chuck, Nancy, other senior leaders.
18
There was this 70's TV movie with Darren McGavin, where to defuse a standoff with a tiny country, they put one man from each side onto a deserted island to fight it out, mano-a-mano.
I say that we put Trump and Kim Jong-un on an island to fight this one out.
I say that we put Trump and Kim Jong-un on an island to fight this one out.
19
"good leaks from the White House staff, which just involve people who 'want to love me and they’re all fighting for love.'"
He speaks and thinks like the Dear Leader; he and Kim are well matched--both completely insane, delusional, and dangerous.
He speaks and thinks like the Dear Leader; he and Kim are well matched--both completely insane, delusional, and dangerous.
28
@V: No, this is not an effort to divert attention from any investigation of post truth charges of Russian collusion. We r not in Argentina c. 1983 when the last of the juntas used a war with GB over a forgotten archipelago in the South Atlantic, Falkland Islands, to deflect attention from a poor economy. Here, the threat appears genuine, but my prediction is that pourparlers that have been ongoing for several months between us and North Koreans will result in a detente, followed by cultural exchanges and do not be surprised to read about in near future the first Fulbright exchange student from Pyongyang arriving to study at an American university. Distinguish between bombast, rhetoric, gasconade and the quiet diplomacy going on behind the scenes and diplomats from both sides seeking a denouement.
2
I recently read that the Northeastern US will be enjoying a warmer fall this year, like into November when in past years winter was forcing us to hunker down! I guess, thanks to global warming. But from where I sit, it looks like this winter will be particularly cold, thanks to NUCLEAR WINTER. And someone mistook my Brussles sprouts for kale and cut the leaves. No Brussels sprouts for me this winter.
3
The other night I watched an add for Trump requesting that all those who are tired of attacks on their hero call to register for the war against elitists who criticize the president. It sounded a little like an add for Kim in NK defending their bellicose leader.
The add said little about what Trump had or had not accomplished. it was aimed at playing to the worst instincts of those who want to continue our own home grown war between those who support the President and those who see his flaws.
We are at war with ourselves. How can we deal with anything effectively out side of our borders as we continue to trash each other.
The add said little about what Trump had or had not accomplished. it was aimed at playing to the worst instincts of those who want to continue our own home grown war between those who support the President and those who see his flaws.
We are at war with ourselves. How can we deal with anything effectively out side of our borders as we continue to trash each other.
12
I beg beg beg you to stop making light of this extremely dangerous man. He intends to drop the Bomb on North Korea, and he will do it, if the military industrial powers allow it.
It is time to stop underestimating Mr. Trump. My god, the man has done what NO ONE IN OUR HISTORY HAS EVER DONE: he has gotten himself elected President against the wishes of BOTH PARTIES, THE MEDIA, A CLEAR MAJORITY OF AMERICAN VOTERS and the industrial captains.
What does he have to do to prove to you that he is no laughing matter?
I understand that humor is the most potent weapon against terrible men. But there is nothing funny about what our President is hoping to do. If America launches another nuclear attack, the world will be in very serious peril.
It is time to stop underestimating Mr. Trump. My god, the man has done what NO ONE IN OUR HISTORY HAS EVER DONE: he has gotten himself elected President against the wishes of BOTH PARTIES, THE MEDIA, A CLEAR MAJORITY OF AMERICAN VOTERS and the industrial captains.
What does he have to do to prove to you that he is no laughing matter?
I understand that humor is the most potent weapon against terrible men. But there is nothing funny about what our President is hoping to do. If America launches another nuclear attack, the world will be in very serious peril.
13
Unfortunately, according to an article in your paper today, Gail, Scott Pruitt in the EPA is doing enough damage to the environment behind the scenes to equal a nuclear winter.
Trump may be the fool we all love to parody but his administrators are doing some potentially irreversible damage in many areas and it will be hard to recover any time soon.
Trump may be the fool we all love to parody but his administrators are doing some potentially irreversible damage in many areas and it will be hard to recover any time soon.
19
I am no Trump supporter but just this once maybe his instincts are right. At some point a country that continually threatens the US needs to hear "if you start something we will finish it".
2
I had an epiphany watching Trump talk about military options regarding Venezuela.
All of the bluster and this too is just his way of diverting press and public to shiny new things that will lead them to forget about the Russian probe (as others here have said on this comment stream).
Think for a moment how profound this is. To protect himself, he shoots his mouth off about fire and destruction, knocking on the door of nuclear madness that could kill millions of people. I will remember this ... as the moment I realized he is not a narcissist. He is a sociopath. I just hope the media who is so enmeshed in trying to decipher him finally gets it: there is absolutely no there there: no plan. No world view, no strategic machinations. Just the chaotic whirlwind of a nowhere man devoted only to himself in the most fundamental way, who sadly may lead us to great destruction.
All of the bluster and this too is just his way of diverting press and public to shiny new things that will lead them to forget about the Russian probe (as others here have said on this comment stream).
Think for a moment how profound this is. To protect himself, he shoots his mouth off about fire and destruction, knocking on the door of nuclear madness that could kill millions of people. I will remember this ... as the moment I realized he is not a narcissist. He is a sociopath. I just hope the media who is so enmeshed in trying to decipher him finally gets it: there is absolutely no there there: no plan. No world view, no strategic machinations. Just the chaotic whirlwind of a nowhere man devoted only to himself in the most fundamental way, who sadly may lead us to great destruction.
17
Dear Times readers. If you'd like to become *really* depressed, read the "We've Had Enough" article in this same front page. It isn't about our boy-king. It is about the critical mass of fellow citizens who put him where he is today. Someday, sooner or later, the boy-king will fade away into history, but the boys with voting rights will be with us for the long haul.
16
Well Trump has been complaining about Chicago for months. What better way to take out a bunch of Democratic voters and ensure the state goes Republican?
3
Diplomacy is like marriage: What happens behind closed doors (i.e. in direct communications between leaders and their representatives) often bears little resemblance to what appears in public. Donald Trump's Presidency is like having a camera in the marital bedroom. Call me old fashioned but I don't like the view.
8
Trump has succeeded from turning the headlines from Russian interfering in his election to nuking North Korea. Robert Mueller has faded away and Kim Jong-un has taken his place as the man everyone is talking about. Once again, Trump has triumphed over the media. He is boorish, ignorant and a liar, but a few Tweets, and they're hooked. Gotta give him credit.
4
Gosh, Roger Stone must feel like putting a Trump tattoo on his chest. To have a client who can so easily escape from scathing criticism for doing nothing to advance his central "jewel" of providing better health care and doing so while saving money is beyond Stone's dreams. A mental and moral Gumbi. Just simply let him loose. Have him do something. Watch how quickly the criticism evaporates of his inactivity and finger pointing once you direct everyone's attention to other ways those fingers can be used.
3
August 12, 1953
That's when the Soviets tested "Joe 4", their first Hydrogen Bomb.**
The world managed somehow or other to continue on despite that, despite a dozen or so years later China under Mao entered the atomic age too.
Will we make it thru this one too ?? Given what seems to be rational responses within the military ranks for the moment, perhaps. Remember, we "lost the fleet" with a carrier group couple months back as it ended up in Australia instead of off the coast of Korea.
** I could write a blues song about that with a classic opening:
"My momma always said
The night I was born
My daddy was gone ....."
Well, that man wasn't a deadbeat, rather as a Captain posted with the 1st Division (Big Red 1) he was out on the "frontier" between West & East Germany. Certainly NATO forces were in high alert.
With me being born just a few days later in Wurtzburg, then West Germany, one friend suggested that when we get a band together to perform that song. We'll call it "Nuclear Bill & the Atomics". I could use a good singer and a base player, not to mention a lyricist if anyone wants to join us. Without doubt the song will blast up the charts.
That's when the Soviets tested "Joe 4", their first Hydrogen Bomb.**
The world managed somehow or other to continue on despite that, despite a dozen or so years later China under Mao entered the atomic age too.
Will we make it thru this one too ?? Given what seems to be rational responses within the military ranks for the moment, perhaps. Remember, we "lost the fleet" with a carrier group couple months back as it ended up in Australia instead of off the coast of Korea.
** I could write a blues song about that with a classic opening:
"My momma always said
The night I was born
My daddy was gone ....."
Well, that man wasn't a deadbeat, rather as a Captain posted with the 1st Division (Big Red 1) he was out on the "frontier" between West & East Germany. Certainly NATO forces were in high alert.
With me being born just a few days later in Wurtzburg, then West Germany, one friend suggested that when we get a band together to perform that song. We'll call it "Nuclear Bill & the Atomics". I could use a good singer and a base player, not to mention a lyricist if anyone wants to join us. Without doubt the song will blast up the charts.
1
What can anyone expect from men raised with the proverbial silver spoon jutting from their jaws?
Threatening extinction could be the uncontrollable babbling of children who have never grown to adulthood or what?
Destruction?
Not funny.
Threatening extinction could be the uncontrollable babbling of children who have never grown to adulthood or what?
Destruction?
Not funny.
5
Let's all just hope that sometime soon Trump's hot air balloon which is filled with his venom for all previous presidents that might challenge his supreme "smartness" will pop soon. He is filled with empty rhetoric lacking any analytical or productive intelligence, and is only supporting the didactic adoration of his base at a detriment to our nation. Let's also hope that Kim Jung-un has a little bit of perception and does not take Trump's off the cuff chest-pounding as reality. While I cringe every morning at what new travesty Trump might have gifted us with, and grow weary of the space he commandeers in the press, I also hope that we will continue to be informed of the acts and words that he delivers so that we can somehow counteract them and take our nation back from this buffoon and the cabinet he appointed that is raping our laws.
5
Our accidental president may actually get something done about North Korea when China realizes that they are dealing with two madmen instead of one, and finally decide to clamp down on Kim. I guess that will count as a win of sorts.
4
Gritty. Teeth gritty. Send emoji.
1
History is going to have a field day with Trump, true enough, but even more so a bigger day with us, the inhabitants of the USA.
How could we have allowed such a person such as Trump to become President of our nation?
And the religious whites and 'rights', what hypocrites you have shown yourselves to be.
It might be a weak parallel, but I think sometimes of the people who rejected the Christ as it is written in the Bible for a known killer in Barabbas.
Ecclesiastes is right, there's nothing new under the sun, everything that is being done has been done before.
How could we have allowed such a person such as Trump to become President of our nation?
And the religious whites and 'rights', what hypocrites you have shown yourselves to be.
It might be a weak parallel, but I think sometimes of the people who rejected the Christ as it is written in the Bible for a known killer in Barabbas.
Ecclesiastes is right, there's nothing new under the sun, everything that is being done has been done before.
5
I hope there is in fact a deep state, and that it is deeply patriotic.
8
Putin, the KGB, and the Moscow Beauty Pageant must have showered so much love on Trump that his heart gushes forth with any mention of Putin.
Putin and Donald, what a love story.
AG
Calgary, Canada
Putin and Donald, what a love story.
AG
Calgary, Canada
5
In Texas I hear a lot from Trump supporters. They say Trump is taking another approach because all the approches have failed. Failed?? The other approaches have kept us out of war! We may not like the North Koreans and their leader but are they worth going to war over and killing millions of people??
10
I have a modest proposal for the Pentagon. The development of a OWGBM Special Infantry Squadron to put on the ground in a depopulated desert zone somewhere in Nevada pretending to be the Sahara - an "Old White Guy Big Mouth" Infantry Squadron that Trump can lead like a malevolent cub scout troop and his supporters in the hinterland can arm themselves and patrol their "war zone" & play out their fantasies without involving the rest of the world. This would free us up to do some good for the US and reinitiate diplomacy in the world. Hey they can have big monster golf carts and v cool uniforms. Can even have skirmishes - imagine Mitch McCvs. the D. paintballing over some strange dune.
5
Dear president bone spurs next time you make a pronouncement regarding delivering "fire and fury" try not to do it with your arms crossed so tightly. You look like you're wearing a straight jacket, though in your case it would be appropriate.
14
Think about it: two fat guys with bad hair who have managed to convince the deluded that they know what they're doing. Maybe that's what it takes to be able to con certain people; too many cheeseburgers and at least two cross-eyed barbers.
10
Of course Trump loves Putin....they are both creatures of the oligarchs. The word on the street here in Germany is that the Deutsche Bank holds most of Trump's debt, through funds channeled from the oligarchs. I wish I had evidence for this, but I don't. All the same, the theory goes like this...when, after all his bankruptcies no New York would lend Trump a dime, the oligarchs were happy to oblige and refloat him. The Deutsche Bank has Russian contacts going back decades. And now the oligarchs are calling in the loan. Maybe somebody can follow the money trail here...
35
I rather wondered, about ten days ago, whether or not Trump could even find the Korean peninsula on a map. Thanks to Google, I now discover there are Trump Towers all over Seoul. That might (or might not) make it a bit more likely that he did in fact know at least where South Korea is.
10
Gail: I think this exercise will help calm every one's nerve. Any time Trump tweets, we should just conjure up a Trump like tweety bird image as a substitute. Even though Warner Bros might object to linking Tweety to Donald Trump, it might just be the kind of mental escapes we can all use right now.
BTW, there's plenty of Tweety Bird images available for free download on the internet.
BTW, there's plenty of Tweety Bird images available for free download on the internet.
8
The tweeter is determined to end the Russian investigation. Wouldn't starting a nuclear war accomplish that purpose? Is he not laughing it up that he has managed to divert attention from the Russians to the North Koreans? If it takes a war to keep him tweeting, he won't hesitate.
2
"Guns, Jesus, Football and Trump" embody the physical and emotional heartland of the United States as it stands today. Everything this wicked administration does is consistent with this world view. It can only end in disaster.
17
Donnie reminds me far too much of this "I Dare You To Cross This Line" cartoon from Bugs Bunny. Only he is Looney Tunes enough to launch a few missiles, because he loves a military show of force. Wanted tanks and heavy artillery in his Inaugural parade, which fortunately was nixed by the generals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkzWyOaS8kU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkzWyOaS8kU
6
Phone negotiations between Kim Jong Un and the Donald:
DT: Ciao, Kimmy. Have I got a deal for you. You are worried about an invasion from your southern border. Well, so am I. So we have something in common. Here's the deal, you drop the nukes - oh not literally drop them on anyone - I mean stop making and testing them and those missiles, and I'll build a wall for you and get South Korea to pay for it. It will be a big wall like the world has never seen before, even bigger than that one in China. Problem solved. Deal?
DT: Ciao, Kimmy. Have I got a deal for you. You are worried about an invasion from your southern border. Well, so am I. So we have something in common. Here's the deal, you drop the nukes - oh not literally drop them on anyone - I mean stop making and testing them and those missiles, and I'll build a wall for you and get South Korea to pay for it. It will be a big wall like the world has never seen before, even bigger than that one in China. Problem solved. Deal?
8
Everybody thought Hillary Clinton was just throwing our political bombast when she told them that anyone who could be baited by a tqweet does not belong in the White House. Now they see that she was prescient.
21
Trump went nationwide yelling, "You're fired." Think he likes the sound of the word "fire" in all its usages? Think little Donnie used to ignite gasoline to melt toy soldiers? It's past time We the People told him, "You're fired", before he goes ready-fire-aim and melts untold millions of human lives.
10
Trump's threats are scary but I watched something else this week almost equally frightening. A tape of a Trump interview about NK from 1999 was played on the news. The man we call our President now, who cannot speak in complete sentences, was very different back then. He was actually coherent, spoke in completely formed sentences, could use accurate terminology and could even pronounce "nuclear proliferation". Side by side, it is clear his mind has deteriorated and he is slipping into dementia.
25th Amendment NOW!
25th Amendment NOW!
34
Donald talks big to gnats like Kim Jong-un (who's actually quite fearsome from South Korea's standpoint but we can't expect Donald's perspective to extend nearly that far) but cowers before someone whom he perceives as a real tough guy. Keep in mind that President Obama was willing to call out Putin in the name of what's right and (we know that) Hillary Clinton would not have sniveled about the diplomatic expulsion the way that Donald just did.
He tweets tough but he acts without spine.
He tweets tough but he acts without spine.
8
What has happened to our wonderful republic?
It has been taken over by such un-American ways of being.
Of course, our principles will OUTLIVE Mr. Trump.
It has been taken over by such un-American ways of being.
Of course, our principles will OUTLIVE Mr. Trump.
6
Trump is playing us like a fiddle. His 40% loves the tough talk and bluster--just look at them fawning at one of his rallies. They're in on the game which is all this is. If it's true that we've been secretly negotiating with North Korea, then both Trump and Kim can claim victory when a settlement is reached.
Trump's numbers will go up--his next tweet will announce that he, and he alone, saved the world from nuclear war--while the rest of us wait patiently for Mueller to indict him.
Trump's numbers will go up--his next tweet will announce that he, and he alone, saved the world from nuclear war--while the rest of us wait patiently for Mueller to indict him.
8
If leaders of the world persist in threatening military action without consideration of the devastation and destruction of millions of innocent lives we should return to the wars of the medieval ages. The "kings" ( leaders of the warring nations) lead the charge complete with standard bearers so that you know where they are. Maybe peaceful negotiations would be seriously undertaken.
5
Unless I'm missing something, it is still Congress that must declare war. As of this writing, anyway, while we still have a Constitution.
It would be good if we could stop talking about Trump as if he were God-Emperor and able to rain death and destruction on the world with a tweet.
As of this writing, anyway.
It would be good if we could stop talking about Trump as if he were God-Emperor and able to rain death and destruction on the world with a tweet.
As of this writing, anyway.
3
I think N.Korea never signed a peace armistice, so they're still at war. Aren't the US of A. still involved in this war ?
3
Reading the still alive and kicking Steele Dossier should be required of all who remain puzzled by Trump's erratic behavior. His deference to pal Putin isn't so puzzling when examined in the context of the Moscow escapades during the Miss Universe contest. And, why in heaven's name was his daughter sitting at the official's table when daddy issued his "fire" warning to North Korea?
12
It's rather difficult to get past the loathing of this horribly inappropriate man to feel the pity . This is one tortured , lonely and isolated individual , aside from being totally inhinged , completely damaged psychologically . Surely he's full of puff - and that's how he's made his living , after his father's largess
(and that surely was guilt money for having raised a whining monster). In the business world one can get by , and even thrive , via lots of cash and bluster
( Trump "Univerdity" , indeed ! ) . However on the world stage things are quite different . Under the protection of our amazing Constitution there exists the rule of law , and in our political history and tradition , honesty , decency , real intelligence and compassion . It is completely foreign to our nation to have such
a needy , narcissistic , nepotistic , self-interested grifter and bluffer as Commander-in-Chief . The really scary scenario is . . .what happens when this person is cornered . . .and trapped ?
(and that surely was guilt money for having raised a whining monster). In the business world one can get by , and even thrive , via lots of cash and bluster
( Trump "Univerdity" , indeed ! ) . However on the world stage things are quite different . Under the protection of our amazing Constitution there exists the rule of law , and in our political history and tradition , honesty , decency , real intelligence and compassion . It is completely foreign to our nation to have such
a needy , narcissistic , nepotistic , self-interested grifter and bluffer as Commander-in-Chief . The really scary scenario is . . .what happens when this person is cornered . . .and trapped ?
10
Well, he doesn't talk softly but he comes across like s big stick. I don't know why he didn't send the Dennid over for a little quiet diplomacy. I bet that would have chilled things right out.
4
OK, OK, I'm tired of winning already. Can we do something else? So much winning, it's getting boring...
5
"Lock and load." The term is alliterative and symmetrical. It just sounds "military like" ... and thus something DJT would utter. But, truth is, he has no idea what the words mean. "Load" ... he may figure that one out. But "lock" ... he has no idea.
5
Look this man is not playing to his base, he is playing his base, big difference
16
It's so hard to believe that only last October, less than a year ago - what used to be a short time until Trump filled our every day - Obama was in the White House and life, while always with it's stresses, was predictable and normal and, well, sane. Our country was still the leader of the free world, respected and admired, and the economy was humming along.
Oh, I know we thought we had it bad. The Republicans were still obstructing anything Obama tried to do - no matter how much good it would do for the people; and they were still refusing to vote up or down for any Supreme Court Justice nominated by any Democratic President ever - essentially usurping the Court as a Republican body; and they were still sabotaging Obamacare - creating the kind of uncertain business atmosphere that assures insurance companies will either raise rates or leave the playing field entirely - which they did.
But then Trump was elected and we all knew things were going to get bad, but not one of us could have imagined what we would go through and where we would be standing in six very long months.
It's almost impossible to believe one human being, in any office, could create so many crises and threaten our people and our way of life in so little time. Three and a half more years is intolerable.
Oh, I know we thought we had it bad. The Republicans were still obstructing anything Obama tried to do - no matter how much good it would do for the people; and they were still refusing to vote up or down for any Supreme Court Justice nominated by any Democratic President ever - essentially usurping the Court as a Republican body; and they were still sabotaging Obamacare - creating the kind of uncertain business atmosphere that assures insurance companies will either raise rates or leave the playing field entirely - which they did.
But then Trump was elected and we all knew things were going to get bad, but not one of us could have imagined what we would go through and where we would be standing in six very long months.
It's almost impossible to believe one human being, in any office, could create so many crises and threaten our people and our way of life in so little time. Three and a half more years is intolerable.
379
@Nancy Parker: Agreed on all points. I've wondered what my late father (1922-2004) would be thinking now. The last Democratic presidential candidate he voted for was Adlai Stevenson, and then only because he thought Eisenhower was mediocre in World War II. Any Trump supporter I've met has willingly discounted his shortcomings. But what talents are there? I've seen none since I first heard of him in the early 1980s.
4
Now we know what it is like to have an inmate from an insane asylum as president of our country.
40
I searched the U.S. Constitution last night for the following terms:
Meshuggah, looney tunes, non-compos mentis, crazy as a hoot owl, out of his gourd and insane in the membrane.
For some reason that is unknown to me, none of these words appeared.
Then I searched for High Crimes and Misdemeanors, Inability to Discharge the Powers and Duties of Said Office and Emoluments.
This time I had I had better luck.
So we'll have to go with those.
Meshuggah, looney tunes, non-compos mentis, crazy as a hoot owl, out of his gourd and insane in the membrane.
For some reason that is unknown to me, none of these words appeared.
Then I searched for High Crimes and Misdemeanors, Inability to Discharge the Powers and Duties of Said Office and Emoluments.
This time I had I had better luck.
So we'll have to go with those.
63
This time I had better luck
2
Trump to Kim Jong Un: You're fired!
White House press secretary will clarify: He was being sarcastic.
Kellyanne Conjob will appear on CNN and deflect to Hillary's emails.
Trump will make campaign speech in West Virginia: Make America Bomb Again.
White House press secretary will clarify: He was being sarcastic.
Kellyanne Conjob will appear on CNN and deflect to Hillary's emails.
Trump will make campaign speech in West Virginia: Make America Bomb Again.
24
Every headline these days brings forth echoes of Dorothy Parker:
"And what fresh hell can this be?"
"And what fresh hell can this be?"
37
Waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on
Waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on
Waist deep! Neck deep! Soon even a
Tall man'll be over his head
We're waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on.
--- From Pete Seeger's 1967 song about Vietnam.
So here we are again. Only this time with nukes.
And the big fool says to push on
Waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on
Waist deep! Neck deep! Soon even a
Tall man'll be over his head
We're waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on.
--- From Pete Seeger's 1967 song about Vietnam.
So here we are again. Only this time with nukes.
33
Meanwhile, over at 'Warbart', they relish at perceiving Kim Jong-un cucked and showboated by their Great Lock 'n' Load Locker Room Freeloader.
As Trump says maybe he wasn´t tough enough on North Korea, threatening all sound and fire and fury, signifying nuking?
Maybe he wasn´t tough enough on Mexico either, failing to make it pay for the Wall, extra-expensive now it has to be made transparent for border patrol head protection purposes, when the bad hombres throw their heavy drugs bags over with no advance warning?
And maybe his lackey on a horse (of the Trojan type for special destructive polluter exploitation interests), Ryan Zinke, wasn´t tough enough on the 'Great Leader of Alaska', threatening to stop the deregulation and the pork for her State, but stopping short of real fire and fury?
Maybe Trump should still heat up the serial bullying and bashing and tweeting and verbal smashing and show-tomahawking, proving to a world begging for freedom from a disinformation and stupid consternation bombardment what behaving presidential really means?
Maybe he should go engage in something tougher and more presidential as golfing, like a shoot-off on Fifth Pyong Pang Avenue for a change?
As the minds of this admin have closed itself to reason, to the benefit of unfeterred private oligarchic profit greed, its telephone lines remain open, as we learned from transcripts: to deliberate how to save Trump´s image...
Foreign leaders on our beautiful planet: your call, your chance!
As Trump says maybe he wasn´t tough enough on North Korea, threatening all sound and fire and fury, signifying nuking?
Maybe he wasn´t tough enough on Mexico either, failing to make it pay for the Wall, extra-expensive now it has to be made transparent for border patrol head protection purposes, when the bad hombres throw their heavy drugs bags over with no advance warning?
And maybe his lackey on a horse (of the Trojan type for special destructive polluter exploitation interests), Ryan Zinke, wasn´t tough enough on the 'Great Leader of Alaska', threatening to stop the deregulation and the pork for her State, but stopping short of real fire and fury?
Maybe Trump should still heat up the serial bullying and bashing and tweeting and verbal smashing and show-tomahawking, proving to a world begging for freedom from a disinformation and stupid consternation bombardment what behaving presidential really means?
Maybe he should go engage in something tougher and more presidential as golfing, like a shoot-off on Fifth Pyong Pang Avenue for a change?
As the minds of this admin have closed itself to reason, to the benefit of unfeterred private oligarchic profit greed, its telephone lines remain open, as we learned from transcripts: to deliberate how to save Trump´s image...
Foreign leaders on our beautiful planet: your call, your chance!
13
Someone, anyone, please get this babbling fool out of the White House before he gets us into a war with China, or Mexico, or Australia or North Korea. He thinks this is still a reality show and his Republican enablers -- who must now realize with dawning horror the enormity of their mistake in supporting this idiot -- are still too scared to do anything about it. It's too late to wait for Mueller's investigation to be completed. Time for Article 25.
32
Venezuela? Military option? Yet another symptom of his mental deficiency.
21
Trump is a chicken hawk, one who should just shut up. A stupid man without a plan. If putting Kelly in as chief of staff was to be a brake on Trump, it didn't work.
20
Trump's regime is every bit as fragile and threatened as Kim's. They are kindred tinpot dictatorial spirits, brothers in alarm. With their mini cold war they can throw bones to their xenophobic base, and distract from their illegitimacy. The US Congress should impeach this dangerous madman immediately. If not for the crimes currently under investigation, then simply for being unfit and unsound. He demonstrates that he is a danger to himself and others. His own party said as much in trying to derail his candidacy. And he proves it every day. Impeach Trump now! It is not funny.
13
All those other stupid presidentals did nothing about North Korea during all those years.
And nobody knows presidential better than me. Believe me...I'll tell you that.
The only thing they did was prevent war. Believe me.
And nobody knows presidential better than me. Believe me...I'll tell you that.
The only thing they did was prevent war. Believe me.
16
Haven't we hit bottom yet?
19
When Putin wants to show off and demonstrate his machismo, he has his picture taken bare chested. Maybe if Trump uttered a little less fire and fury and unbuttoned his.......Nah, never mind.
11
Time for impeachment.
15
Trump would be wise to leave the golf course and pay a visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
18
We got this because Hillary had a private e mail server?
42
Apologies to George Bush. I had thought him the Anti-Christ.
17
we are all going to die!
4
Because he has next to nothing of a diplomatic corp beyond his own mouth, he has no concept of cultural differences and the torch of insult that he ignites with his so called "tough talk". He is speaking the language of annihilation every time he tweets or opens his unthinking mouth. "Tough talk" does not make an enemy back down, often - and possibly with North Korea - it gives them the ammunition to start a conflict.
15
How must the rest of the world look on us now, the electors of President -- it pains me deeply to use these two words together -- Trump. How did this happen? How can we escape from this tragic disaster? It's mind-boggling.
19
In spite of the horror going on in Washington I still hearing people say, “Support our president.” It’s particularly loud here in Tennessee, and like Donald Trump, the worse things get the more vocal they are. Whatever else you can say about the man, he’s a catalyst for mass hysteria.
I think Gail’s right about the ‘manhood’ issue. So maybe instead of being alarmed by Trump’s groveling before his Russian owner and waving his fists at mouthy dictators, we should do something to man him up. Maybe then he’ll stop threatening and insulting foreign leaders. And members of congress. And everyone else who doesn’t idolize him. Maybe he’ll take his finger off the trigger, give his collection of old generals a break, and do what he does best. Golf.
Let’s start with the men he’s fixated on. Like Kim Jong-un, Trump handled the, er …, distinctive hairdo part himself. And he surrounded himself with grinning toadies. But Putin is a problem. I can absolutely guarantee that going shirtless would do nothing for Donald’s image. So it’s off to costuming. How about a Hollywood Rambo outfit? A gigantic plastic machine gun and a few ammo belts? Or perhaps he’d prefer something with more flair, like a Macho Man suit.
Or maybe he could just give up this charade, and retire for “family reasons” so we can try for a real president. We need an election do-over.
I think Gail’s right about the ‘manhood’ issue. So maybe instead of being alarmed by Trump’s groveling before his Russian owner and waving his fists at mouthy dictators, we should do something to man him up. Maybe then he’ll stop threatening and insulting foreign leaders. And members of congress. And everyone else who doesn’t idolize him. Maybe he’ll take his finger off the trigger, give his collection of old generals a break, and do what he does best. Golf.
Let’s start with the men he’s fixated on. Like Kim Jong-un, Trump handled the, er …, distinctive hairdo part himself. And he surrounded himself with grinning toadies. But Putin is a problem. I can absolutely guarantee that going shirtless would do nothing for Donald’s image. So it’s off to costuming. How about a Hollywood Rambo outfit? A gigantic plastic machine gun and a few ammo belts? Or perhaps he’d prefer something with more flair, like a Macho Man suit.
Or maybe he could just give up this charade, and retire for “family reasons” so we can try for a real president. We need an election do-over.
13
The people who support Trump are currently at an alt-right rally in Charlottesville, VA. They're yelling "White Lives Matter" because they couldn't figure out that the chant "Black Lives Matter" is short for "Black Lives Matter as much as White Lives Do."
They actually think that removing Confederate statues from public places is a sign of political correctness gone wild, rather than a century late sign that the defenders of slavery and its child, Jim Crow, do not deserve to be celebrated. Unfortunately, Trump will have a few fat statues made in his honor one day. Elected Demagogues Matter, whether we want them to or not.
They actually think that removing Confederate statues from public places is a sign of political correctness gone wild, rather than a century late sign that the defenders of slavery and its child, Jim Crow, do not deserve to be celebrated. Unfortunately, Trump will have a few fat statues made in his honor one day. Elected Demagogues Matter, whether we want them to or not.
34
They can't figure out what "Black Lives Matter" means.
They can't figure out what a lot of things mean.
Trump has elevated a lot of people who can't figure things out.
They will be the losers for it. We all will be the losers for it.
They can't figure out what a lot of things mean.
Trump has elevated a lot of people who can't figure things out.
They will be the losers for it. We all will be the losers for it.
3
Would someone please give this man the military parade he wants and perhaps a uniform of some kind, complete with medals?
14
Something from the Fulgencio Batista Museum of Has Been Demagogues in Havana?
4
War is the best distraction and red herring an incompetent and crooked leader can have, but only if he can win. The last emperor of France, Napolean III, was such an incompetent, and, encouraged by his wife, Eugenie, was suckered into declaring war on Bismarck's Prussia. Bismarck, who, disciplined himself to resist his legendary impatience and wait for the ideal moment, pounced. Within a month or so, France was defeated, Alsace-Lorraine became part of the new nation of Germany, and N3 died just a couple of years later in total disgrace.
Now neither Kim Jong Un nor Donald Trump is anything close to the brilliance of the wily Bismarck and merely share with him his penchant for being a self-absorbed jerk, so it's hard to imagine how this turns out well for either North Korea or the USA. No, both are more like Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, aka, Napolean III, the last emperor of France.
Now neither Kim Jong Un nor Donald Trump is anything close to the brilliance of the wily Bismarck and merely share with him his penchant for being a self-absorbed jerk, so it's hard to imagine how this turns out well for either North Korea or the USA. No, both are more like Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, aka, Napolean III, the last emperor of France.
10
Since they are quotes, they must be true. But it is hard to believe a sane person would say these things. A rambling old man slipping into dementia maybe. A businessman(I'll throw him a bone)turned politician seems like a stretch. Yet here we are. I won't blame it on Hillbilly nation today. But where else could one place the blame? As the bar is lowered by the GOP what's next? I know, Scaramucci makes a comeback and become 46 or whatever number we are on. Nixon did it, why not the Mooch.
10
We need to ignore Donald Trump - yes -report his meandering, wild threats, and bullying - but focus on real news events - flooding in New Orleans, Quatar, the Middle East, even photos of Putin fishing - now that's a real sport!Trump wants love? Give him the facts. The DearcLeaders are so similar it's frightening. The General lasted one week as Chief of Staff - pray for sun in New Jersey.
4
Perhaps, now that Trump and Mr. Kim have decided to nuke everyone, we can stop worrying about Climate Change or Global Warming. I know, it's not funny. How about the Governor of Guam, he actually believes Trump when Trump tells him we back Guam 1,000 percent. Good luck buddy. You have never met a bigger back stabber, double-crosser and forked tongue person in your life. You won't have a country, but you will be famous and think about the tourism dollars.
7
Yes, Governor Eddie Baza Calvo can make his tourism millions like the Emperor of the Bikini Atoll did.
3
I hope that one of Trump's advisors will point out that an attack on North Korea might trigger a war with China. Every forest fire begins as a single flame. Someone needs to talk Trump down from his anger, now.
6
Until the so-called adults in the WH (the generals) or the GOP-dominated Congress realize the President needs a muzzle AND a minder, or better yet, removed as obviously unfit for the office, we are all at risk of a war started by our President's deep, deep personal insecurities and uncontrollable mouth.
We have now seen N. Korea's and China's leaders castigate us saying, "a tweet is not a policy," and "the rantings of a senile old man...only understands force" They're right: our President is not acting as a functionally mature leader. The scary thing is that N. Korea is right: Trump has to be the most belligerent talker in the room, but when confronted with face-to-face aggression or disapproval, he backs down. (Look at Trump in the tape with Billy Bush: he can't trash talk enough for the boys in the bus, but he becomes diffident in the presence of his female guide and camera.)
Trump is a man who has not had to face the consequences of his words; he depends on his lawyers. But we, as a nation, cannot depend on that. Nor can we depend on his personal business model of declaring bankruptcy rather than paying our bills.
We have now seen N. Korea's and China's leaders castigate us saying, "a tweet is not a policy," and "the rantings of a senile old man...only understands force" They're right: our President is not acting as a functionally mature leader. The scary thing is that N. Korea is right: Trump has to be the most belligerent talker in the room, but when confronted with face-to-face aggression or disapproval, he backs down. (Look at Trump in the tape with Billy Bush: he can't trash talk enough for the boys in the bus, but he becomes diffident in the presence of his female guide and camera.)
Trump is a man who has not had to face the consequences of his words; he depends on his lawyers. But we, as a nation, cannot depend on that. Nor can we depend on his personal business model of declaring bankruptcy rather than paying our bills.
9
"They fight for love", Trump and Kim both need the reassuring demonstration that their people will show unconditional loyalty.
Will either or both demand the ultimate test and drag the unadoring into the pit along with the brainwashed throngs? Will Kelly and McMaster and Kim's last standing relative be forced to watch because to stop the mad leaders would mean their own destruction and who would be left to clean up the mess.
The American people and the Rep party who watched Trump's TV shows could have seen this coming. Trump identifies with that businessman character on The Apprentice. The fiction of the fake plots was reality to him. Trump has just moved the show to the WH. When the show begins to drag and ratings drop, he ratchets up the tension and keeps the cliffhangers coming - will he or won't he.
Let's hope that Kim is a talented director. Perhaps he knows how to bring this show to a successful conclusion. And maybe the Republican party will turn out to be great talent agents and find a better leading man. Because the President is just a two bit actor floundering out there improvising a script based on his failing personality. He is about to jump the shark.
Will either or both demand the ultimate test and drag the unadoring into the pit along with the brainwashed throngs? Will Kelly and McMaster and Kim's last standing relative be forced to watch because to stop the mad leaders would mean their own destruction and who would be left to clean up the mess.
The American people and the Rep party who watched Trump's TV shows could have seen this coming. Trump identifies with that businessman character on The Apprentice. The fiction of the fake plots was reality to him. Trump has just moved the show to the WH. When the show begins to drag and ratings drop, he ratchets up the tension and keeps the cliffhangers coming - will he or won't he.
Let's hope that Kim is a talented director. Perhaps he knows how to bring this show to a successful conclusion. And maybe the Republican party will turn out to be great talent agents and find a better leading man. Because the President is just a two bit actor floundering out there improvising a script based on his failing personality. He is about to jump the shark.
4
Gail, for the last six months, the Times' Opinion Section has been filled with well justified attacks on our Dear Leader and never have these criticisms been more deserved. It worries me, however that Trump will get fed up with our disrespect and scream, "What! You don't believe me. Well, watch this!" and a button will be pressed.
Of course one has to ask, "Will Pence be any better?" The best alternative would be to find another President with a mind. We sure don't have one now.
Of course one has to ask, "Will Pence be any better?" The best alternative would be to find another President with a mind. We sure don't have one now.
5
I'm not sure things will improve until we have him locked and loaded into that rocket ship to Mars he promised us.
6
The threat of war is just the distraction Trump needed from his failings and the investigations swirling around him. It is also gives Kim Jong Un the attention he seems to crave.
6
So now the nation's future and the peace of the world rests on Trump just being a stupid, lazy braggart. Oh, and yes, we have Rex sleeping alone at the State Department. Gail, you are the only peerson who makes this mess sound funny. Thank you!
4
I wish everyone would quit referring to Trump as a man-child or little boy. It's so insulting to children unless you happen to be The Bad Seed or The Good Son. But the kids (both the girl played by Patty McCormack and the boy played by Macaulay Culkin) were very intelligent, an adjective that would never be used to describe Trump.
Trump is an old man, who has been a narcissist his entire life, now clearly exhibiting signs of dementia. Some with dementia become more mellow and benign but some become angrier, lashing out at anyone who disagrees with them and becoming more and more paranoid as well. That is our POTUS.
Trump is an old man, who has been a narcissist his entire life, now clearly exhibiting signs of dementia. Some with dementia become more mellow and benign but some become angrier, lashing out at anyone who disagrees with them and becoming more and more paranoid as well. That is our POTUS.
8
The only calming thought I have regarding Trump's unnatural fascination with lobbing a nuclear bomb is I believe Kelly and/or McMasters will hurl themselves across the Oval Office desk and knock Trump to the carpet before he can call in the launch.
4
If only there was a way we could take Trump's phone away for as long as it takes him to read John Hersey's "Hiroshima".
7
Donald dissed Obama when the red line comment was not followed up by action.
If Donald continues to set verbal red lines and keeps mouthing off and doing nothing, Kim will know that he is dealing with a paper kitty cat and things will not change positively.
Either put up or shut up, Donald. And if you put up, you better believe that causing a war will not get you love from anyone.
If Donald continues to set verbal red lines and keeps mouthing off and doing nothing, Kim will know that he is dealing with a paper kitty cat and things will not change positively.
Either put up or shut up, Donald. And if you put up, you better believe that causing a war will not get you love from anyone.
3
"Obama - he didn't even want to talk about it." Well, if that's the worst he can say about the man whom Trump is not fit to shine his shoes, it was ironically the most complimentary of the three past presidents. Obama's - how I miss him - cool demeanor and wisdom on what and what not to say to the public (it's called diplomacy) worked, safely to say, very well for eight years. In hindsight, eight blissful years in which I could get a good night's sleep without waking up each morning fearful of the latest idiocy emanating from this POTUS.
The good news is that this North Korea circus with two seemingly rabid creatures may just diffuse. It seems our Emperor-in-Chief now has his sights on Venezuela....they have lottsa' oil there, don't they? That will be a win-win for this administration, i.e., not only oil but also declaring war on someone, anyone.
The good news is that this North Korea circus with two seemingly rabid creatures may just diffuse. It seems our Emperor-in-Chief now has his sights on Venezuela....they have lottsa' oil there, don't they? That will be a win-win for this administration, i.e., not only oil but also declaring war on someone, anyone.
6
Gail shows no concern, none, nada, zip, that Kim can soon assure the destruction of the United States fifteen minutes after launch.
3
Kim is not going to start anything unless Trump convinces him that our missiles are on their way. Kim's concern is survival/regime change and he knows that an attack on the U.S. would result in utter annihilation for N. Korea. I mean, Kim learned his lesson from Shrub - when he saw what happened to a dictator (Saddam Hussein) who didn't have nukes. So his desire to have them is perfectly rational (albeit unnerving for us). Right now, rational people are way more worried about Trump than they are about Kim. I'd put my money on Kim being the more rational of the two.
4
The nan is insane and his enablers evil. That's the sad reality we are living in.
6
Kim Jong Un is reported to have a net worth of 6 Billion Dollars - Putin over 90 Billion. DJT has a reported 1.5 Billion and how much of that funneled through Putin only his hair dresser knows for sure.
One has to wonder how illicit wealth equates to membership in the Nuclear Boys Club.
One has to wonder how illicit wealth equates to membership in the Nuclear Boys Club.
4
I can't laugh anymore.
5
We have a problem Gail. The problem is we are getting desensitized to trumps rhetoric. He certainly has met his match in Kim Jong un. Who uses trumpian speak like a meth head. The world has for the most part turned out north Koreas rhetoric. Not good ol boy trumpsky. Every word against him: it's time for the mattresses, vinny and spaghetti. Donald ( vendetta) trump. El venditto. He loves Putin because Putin can control himself. El venditto? Not so much. We have run out of superlatives. Less is more.
3
One of two things is happening with Trump. Either he is frog marching us to nuclear war and millions of deaths or he is shredding America's reputation for reasonable action and leadership around the world, inviting N. Korea to keep on pushing.
All of this makes Trump very happy. If there had been a military option when he was a builder/promoter, Trump would have had the opportunity to threaten anyone who opposed him with something more than lawsuits or ruining people financially. He would have been in hog heaven. Now, displaced from the world he knows to the presidency, he is lost, recycling the younger bold Trump without understanding the danger he is pushing us toward.
There is nothing "conservative" about threatening war against a nation led by an unstable, paranoid dictator. These are wild, radical acts that, at minimum, border on madness.
All of this makes Trump very happy. If there had been a military option when he was a builder/promoter, Trump would have had the opportunity to threaten anyone who opposed him with something more than lawsuits or ruining people financially. He would have been in hog heaven. Now, displaced from the world he knows to the presidency, he is lost, recycling the younger bold Trump without understanding the danger he is pushing us toward.
There is nothing "conservative" about threatening war against a nation led by an unstable, paranoid dictator. These are wild, radical acts that, at minimum, border on madness.
7
"But nobody's perfect" is hardly the encomium for a president even if accurate. I would prefer my president's imperfections to be bad fashion sense or even a limp than this rampant bellicosity. Perhaps our next president will earn the accolade "At least he's sane."
5
I don't recall ever before Trump himself characterizing one of his comments or tweets as sarcasm. This raises an entire new layer of complexity to figuring out where he's going and what he's "thinking."
4
Of the different Trumps that Gail's columns have described the constant is Trump who does not want to look like a fool. His backing down on North Korea seems, frightingly, unlikely.
4
As Gay Talise recently pointed out: Trump loves the military because when he misbehaved as a teenager, his daddy sent him to military school where lower level generals ordered him around. Now, he is in charge of real generals with four stars. That's comeuppance! And now he can show the generals how tough he is and how much smarter he is than all those who actually wear the uniform.
6
We need a good war about ever ten years. Most people don't know that on each bomb there is a 'best if used by date.' One doesn't want to waste money by throwing-out things you already paid for, the American people won't like that.
2
I would call on all Americans to calm themselves, sleep well and continue to go about their daily lives. Regardless of the universality and commonplace use of the phrase, no one has actually ever died of embarrassment.
3
If I were a member of Congress I would introduce a bill requiring President Trump be sent immediately to Guam, or better still to the South Korean headquarters of our armed forces, and from there to either continue his brave battle of words and rhetorical brinkmanship, or otherwise remain until he finds some resolution to the heightened state of tension he's helped bring the world to by his tweets and taunts. There, among those brave men and women, in whose eyes he might very well discover his first true glimpse of patriotism, and closer--a lot closer--to the millions of people it has become his responsibility to defend, we would see the stuff this man is made of--who knows more than the generals around him, who disparages war heroes who get captured, who receivedwee 5 draft deferments and dodged service in Vietnam, and who claims to have raised dealing to the level of art.
5
When is congress going to get off their haunches and proceed with all due haste to a bill of impeachment . . . hen the ICBM's are in the air?
3
His base, comprised of empty headed narcissists (read today's article entitled "We've Had Enough" for comment upon comment of pure ignorance) is lapping it up. Tough guy posturing and blunt language trumps decades of leaders maintaining a cold peace on the Korean Peninsula. They'd have him blow it all up. But, one guy in Colorado getting barbecue with his family is cool with that because he's "in the safest part of the country." But I'm a "leftist" (whatever that is) so I must be the real danger here.
4
"Go away or I shall taunt you again!" The White House is channelling Monty Python, un-ironically. The problem is that the next step is "Fetchez la nuke" instead of "fetchez la vache."
I guess I am glad that Trump is reputed to be less crazy in private. But his public persona has impact, and ratcheting up the heat on a pint sized sack of vanity, ego, temper, with an evil lack of conscience or compassion is a really bad idea.
It might play well to the base, but it also might inspire the pint size Dr. Evil to actually start a war. And that pint size dictator is in charge of the neutral zone between China and the western allies.
I want to hope that the State Department is not out taunting and fetching cows, but instead talking with China about how bad it would be if we had to park our whole fleet in the South China Sea because tinpot Kim Jong-un was out of control.
But I am not sure we *have* a State Department. We have cut payroll, as the big man himself says.
I guess I am glad that Trump is reputed to be less crazy in private. But his public persona has impact, and ratcheting up the heat on a pint sized sack of vanity, ego, temper, with an evil lack of conscience or compassion is a really bad idea.
It might play well to the base, but it also might inspire the pint size Dr. Evil to actually start a war. And that pint size dictator is in charge of the neutral zone between China and the western allies.
I want to hope that the State Department is not out taunting and fetching cows, but instead talking with China about how bad it would be if we had to park our whole fleet in the South China Sea because tinpot Kim Jong-un was out of control.
But I am not sure we *have* a State Department. We have cut payroll, as the big man himself says.
3
Each world crisis should make us ask History, the Greatest Teacher, what happened in the past? In the recent past, for example,
1. What lesson did we learn from the Munich Pact that Chamberlain and Hitler signed?
2. What did Stalin’s annexation and imposition of Communism in several European countries taught us?
3. When Kim Il Sung invaded South Korea in 1950, did we learn something?
4. Did Khruschev ship back to Russia nuclear-tipped missiles from Cuba in 1962 out of the goodness of his heart?
It seems to me, and perhaps to others, that History’s lesson is this: Bullies are not appeased by diplomacy, promises and offers of help. Bullies must be bullied back.
I believe that Donald Trump’s rhetoric in response to Kim Jong Un’s threat is not the result of studying history. His rhetoric comes from Trump being as much of a bully as Kim Jong Un is and because he has the annihilation power Mr. Kim lacks.
The worst cataclysm is nuclear war. Nobody I know (but there may be some) wants it to happen. In these uncertain times History will teach us a new lesson.
1. What lesson did we learn from the Munich Pact that Chamberlain and Hitler signed?
2. What did Stalin’s annexation and imposition of Communism in several European countries taught us?
3. When Kim Il Sung invaded South Korea in 1950, did we learn something?
4. Did Khruschev ship back to Russia nuclear-tipped missiles from Cuba in 1962 out of the goodness of his heart?
It seems to me, and perhaps to others, that History’s lesson is this: Bullies are not appeased by diplomacy, promises and offers of help. Bullies must be bullied back.
I believe that Donald Trump’s rhetoric in response to Kim Jong Un’s threat is not the result of studying history. His rhetoric comes from Trump being as much of a bully as Kim Jong Un is and because he has the annihilation power Mr. Kim lacks.
The worst cataclysm is nuclear war. Nobody I know (but there may be some) wants it to happen. In these uncertain times History will teach us a new lesson.
3
Dangerous diversion tactics from the Russia investigation. Don't be fooled.
4
Trump can afford to put our country at risk. He knows that he and all his cronies have a very nice bunker to protect them and can continue to run the government. If only he could run the government above ground.
The Congress had better come back from vacation and get this crazy man out of the White House...
The Congress had better come back from vacation and get this crazy man out of the White House...
3
The reality show president may be the emperor of the tweetosphere, but Madison, Jefferson , Washington and Adams had higher things in mind than ratings. This is a job which requires study and a search for the common good- none of which can be achieved on a hermetically sealed golf course with fawning friends and family. Perhaps he has found a needle mover in calling out the bully of the east- now if he could only find the mirror.
3
The great and powerful Oz has spoken: DON'T pay attention to the man behind the curtain in the Oval Office!
3
Here is an idea. Get Congress to bring back the draft. That election fraud commission that the President started can then figure out who voted for him and make them all 1A and draft them. I'm sure they won't mind because they would help the President make America great again. If too old for active military service, they could then work in industries to support President Trump's military ventures such a body bag or casket manufacture.
3
There is no private/public dichotomy with trump - what you see is all there is, am empty shell of a human with little heart, less brain, and all mouth spouting verbal diarrhea and fury signifying nothing. Without doubt, trumpty Dumpty will have a great fall and no one will want to put him together again. The only question is how many people will he bring down with him?
2
Locked and loaded? Is he now channeling John Wayne or perhaps Clint Eastwood? Or, is he referring to himself in dire need of being institutionalized.
The utter gall of this man to take one of the most serious situations in 50 years and turn it into a self-aggrandizing love fest.At his late afternoon appearance, he stood there with that annoying smirk on his face and proceeded to bluster and brag about executive orders and alleged accomplishments in these past 6 months.How absurd, what about his utter failures and the blatant corruption, while we're at it.Then add to the bargain Venezuela! What in heaven does that have to do with anything germane to North Korea and the unconsidered collateral damage to the entire Pacific rim.
This lunatic must be removed from office, even by military coup if necessary.
The utter gall of this man to take one of the most serious situations in 50 years and turn it into a self-aggrandizing love fest.At his late afternoon appearance, he stood there with that annoying smirk on his face and proceeded to bluster and brag about executive orders and alleged accomplishments in these past 6 months.How absurd, what about his utter failures and the blatant corruption, while we're at it.Then add to the bargain Venezuela! What in heaven does that have to do with anything germane to North Korea and the unconsidered collateral damage to the entire Pacific rim.
This lunatic must be removed from office, even by military coup if necessary.
3
When I think of Trump, I remember Shakespeare's admonition: "Me think him over-proud and under honest..." Of course, Shakespeare had deeper insights into the human condition than I. I can't get beyond the fact that he and the nut in North Korea both have strange hairdos and are fat. That said, we have two loony tunes running headlong at each other. My solution would be to lock both of them in the same room and open the door after two hours. Would we find them embracing each other or beating each other to death? Either scenario works for me.
2
First of all when everyone argues that the government has actually done nothing over the last 6 months I want to ask you:what about the Paris agreement, signing the reversal of several environmental regulations, immigration changes, and and...are all these executive orders he has signed not included in accomplishments because while we mau not think so trump certainly does. Secondly the fact that I have seen it written a few times over the last few days in the times and elsewhere that if a president decides to drop a nuclear bomb he has complete power to do so that is crazy and I can tell you I'm not happy that we in Canada will be directly affected by this insane undemocratic rule you have. This is not democracy if one man has the sole power to make such a decision without any vote going to the 2 houses. That anytime today or the days after we can be in a full scale world war just because a lunatic decides it. Your system is in serious need of repair and may God have mercy on us all until you do fix it.
2
Rest assured, Americans, our new Secretary of Wrestling, Vince McMahon, has got it covered. That's right, while all of America was asleep, Mr. Trump created this new cabinet position and appointed the president of "World Wrestling Entertainment" to head it. And its first actions have been, of course, leaked!
First step, create 'East-West WrestleMania Number One" called the "Rumble in the Pacific".
Step two, build the world's largest. floating "Steel Death Cage" where two wrestlers will fight to the finish (It can be floated between Guam and North Korea).
Step three, announce the two contenders. In one corner, "Kim the Magnificent" complete with cape and black leggings and in the other corner the masked "Orange Death Dealer" wearing an orange Speedo (Okay, stop the retching, please).
Step four, sell tickets for this "Pay for View" event with all proceeds disappearing magically to, well, take a guess.
Step five, as pre-determined (This IS a McMahon production, after all), the match is declared a tie by the referee (Vlad Putin, I understand, is being sought for this position) as both contenders collapse gasping for air within one minute as neither one of them is in good enough shape to last any longer.
Step six, immediately announce a re-match in "East-West WrestleMania Two"!
Its all true...I read it on the Internet.
First step, create 'East-West WrestleMania Number One" called the "Rumble in the Pacific".
Step two, build the world's largest. floating "Steel Death Cage" where two wrestlers will fight to the finish (It can be floated between Guam and North Korea).
Step three, announce the two contenders. In one corner, "Kim the Magnificent" complete with cape and black leggings and in the other corner the masked "Orange Death Dealer" wearing an orange Speedo (Okay, stop the retching, please).
Step four, sell tickets for this "Pay for View" event with all proceeds disappearing magically to, well, take a guess.
Step five, as pre-determined (This IS a McMahon production, after all), the match is declared a tie by the referee (Vlad Putin, I understand, is being sought for this position) as both contenders collapse gasping for air within one minute as neither one of them is in good enough shape to last any longer.
Step six, immediately announce a re-match in "East-West WrestleMania Two"!
Its all true...I read it on the Internet.
2
Trump and Kim are distorted reflections of each other, another twisted pairing like that between Trump and the Mooch. He loves to look in the mirror, even if if its a little bent. The hazards of having this loon in the White House are just beginning to accelerate. It will get worse.
1
Trump will continue to be fool and embrassment accomplishing nothing. He made a habit in business seeing each failure as a success. The Special Prosecutor will do the accounting. Just join the world laughing at the Trump Family Freak Show and Golf Tour and regretting that this clan of cheesy thieves ruined the neighborhood.
2
"I’m not sure that anybody’s done what we’ve done in a six-month period."
Oh, we're sure. NOBODY has been as unfit to serve as President, and done as much damage to our country's reputation, as the failing, low-rated and psycho Donald J. Trump.
Remove this despot from office before he starts WWIII.
Oh, we're sure. NOBODY has been as unfit to serve as President, and done as much damage to our country's reputation, as the failing, low-rated and psycho Donald J. Trump.
Remove this despot from office before he starts WWIII.
2
We have two bombastic blusterers here: the grifter blusterer and the nut-job blusterer. Let’s not debate who is who. While concerned at first, I’m now thinking they’re just boys being boys; and boys, as we all know from the infamous “Google Memo,” tend to have resentment built into their DNA/hormonal makeup to such a degree that they just can’t get along with anybody who gets on their nerves even a tiny bit. I mean, can you imagine two women doing this? Teresa May and Angela Merkel threatening each other with nuclear bombs?
It’s all great theater, until someplace becomes a nuclear theater of war, then we’re in deep doo-doo.
I’m relying on our generals and ex-generals to tamp things down. I’ve been wondering, lately, how it is that so many boys enter the military just dying to get their hands on some weapons so they can do their DNA/hormonal thing and scream “lock and load,” yet the generals seem unwilling to say stuff like that. I can only surmise that they’re all given periodic psychological evaluation tests to screen out soldiers who select “press the nuclear button” as the answer to too many questions.
Tillerson, despite his reassurances, has done little to staff his State Department, and since there’s no profit in this venture I’m sure he has little actual interest in it, so I wouldn’t count on him too much.
It’s all great theater, until someplace becomes a nuclear theater of war, then we’re in deep doo-doo.
I’m relying on our generals and ex-generals to tamp things down. I’ve been wondering, lately, how it is that so many boys enter the military just dying to get their hands on some weapons so they can do their DNA/hormonal thing and scream “lock and load,” yet the generals seem unwilling to say stuff like that. I can only surmise that they’re all given periodic psychological evaluation tests to screen out soldiers who select “press the nuclear button” as the answer to too many questions.
Tillerson, despite his reassurances, has done little to staff his State Department, and since there’s no profit in this venture I’m sure he has little actual interest in it, so I wouldn’t count on him too much.
2
Two crazy misanthropes with weird haircuts have the world on edge.Watching Kim Jong Un waddling along while his generals applauded was startlingly like watching our cabinet members announcing their love and loyalty for our own Supreme Don Trump Un.
4
Twitter Trump is embarrassing. Trigger Trump is scary. Especially if his golf caddy is also carrying the nuke launch codes "locked and loaded" and aimed at the Kim-dom.
1
Hey, all you Trumpsters....now's a dandy good time to sign up your young 'uns to military service. Maybe you too...if you're not suffering from a heel spur.
4
"Annyeong!"
"Kim, it's me, Donald."
"Ah, Donald, annyeong."
"I just called to thank you for having my back. That rocket launch really distracted the press from the phony witch hunt in the Russian collusion thing."
"You're welcome, Donald."
"If ever I can do the same for you, just let me know. Your people and my base are such fools they will believe anything. I've got your back, Kim."
"Yes, Donald. Annyeong."
"Kim, it's me, Donald."
"Ah, Donald, annyeong."
"I just called to thank you for having my back. That rocket launch really distracted the press from the phony witch hunt in the Russian collusion thing."
"You're welcome, Donald."
"If ever I can do the same for you, just let me know. Your people and my base are such fools they will believe anything. I've got your back, Kim."
"Yes, Donald. Annyeong."
1
The stupid leading the blind. That is America to me, at this juncture in history.
"Reduced payroll"? You mean fire people?
Trump knows how to fire, does anyone believe he cares how to hire? I guess enough bought the snake oil last November. Ahh...that's where I live: the land of stupid people.
"Reduced payroll"? You mean fire people?
Trump knows how to fire, does anyone believe he cares how to hire? I guess enough bought the snake oil last November. Ahh...that's where I live: the land of stupid people.
1
I'd love to see the press burst out laughing when trump spouts some nonsense during a "press conference". "Stop, you're killing us"! could be shouted back, or "Mr. President, you're a hoot"! Better yet, I'd like to hear someone respond, "Mr. President, do you know how foolish you sound? You have no idea what you're talking about". A gag response from the whole gang would be good any time he brags about his "win" in the presidential race.
I don't know how they can stand there and listen and keep a calm look on their faces.
I don't know how they can stand there and listen and keep a calm look on their faces.
5
On a related note, I'm curious, why is it that so many are obsessing over how far Kim Jung Un's misiles will fly. Granted, a bomb of any type exploded in the U.S. would be catastrophic, but no matter where KJU bombs, Crooked Donald would start a world war.
1
Never forget that it was the Electoral College that gave us this freak show.
2
For our Maximum Dear Leader, "in place, locked and loaded" readily switches to "in disgrace, blocked and bloated." Just sayin', perhaps a tad sarcastically.
2
Fools rush in, where angels fear to tread. Trump believes his unorthodox methods are better than all his predecessors! I wonder when the inane comment of ' I didn't know NK was so complicated'!!!!!!!!
1
I know what happened this week. First, the facts. Trump has a short attention span. He doesn’t listen to, nor will he take, advice. He’s an emotional child with no military exp and a suspect track record as a businessman. Basically, he is a NYC con man.
So he threatened Kim twice but Kim didn’t back down.
Kim knows that Trump is NOT going to launch a preemptive strike. The sanctions aren’t working so Trump has no other cards to play.
Unfortunately, Trump is too stupid & inexperienced to know this.
China isn’t going to help because they are our enemy. They are enjoying every minute of this charade and using our dysfunction to score advantages with our trading partners. Ditto for Russia so the UN Vote = 15 – 0 was pure symbolism. Basically, Trump foolishly backed himself (and the US) into a corner because he will not listen to others, and lacks the skill to handle this matter on his own.
Kim wins again.
So Trump gave a press conference on Weds, the best he’s ever delivered. He looked presidential and answered every question to perfection. Trump was excellent.
And that’s because the press conf was probably staged. The questions were softballs, Trump knew them in advance & was prepped in advance. TV viewers never saw the “reporters”. Trump was “prepped” to look presidential. This will be the new norm for the con man.
The con just got bigger and Trump’s idiot supporters are going to love it. Ditto for the defense contractors.
So he threatened Kim twice but Kim didn’t back down.
Kim knows that Trump is NOT going to launch a preemptive strike. The sanctions aren’t working so Trump has no other cards to play.
Unfortunately, Trump is too stupid & inexperienced to know this.
China isn’t going to help because they are our enemy. They are enjoying every minute of this charade and using our dysfunction to score advantages with our trading partners. Ditto for Russia so the UN Vote = 15 – 0 was pure symbolism. Basically, Trump foolishly backed himself (and the US) into a corner because he will not listen to others, and lacks the skill to handle this matter on his own.
Kim wins again.
So Trump gave a press conference on Weds, the best he’s ever delivered. He looked presidential and answered every question to perfection. Trump was excellent.
And that’s because the press conf was probably staged. The questions were softballs, Trump knew them in advance & was prepped in advance. TV viewers never saw the “reporters”. Trump was “prepped” to look presidential. This will be the new norm for the con man.
The con just got bigger and Trump’s idiot supporters are going to love it. Ditto for the defense contractors.
It's the Battle of the Self-Obsessed, Bloated, Belligerent, Horribly-Coifed World Leaders!
1
I can only hope that Mueller is locked and loaded.
4
I wish that one reporter at everyone of these "sprays" would take on the role of Designated Troll (DT) with a question designed to surely produce an answer that is likely to produce mirth and merriment until the next spray.
"Mr. President, this week we saw that President Putin is uninhibited about baring his body while on vacation. Your reaction?"
"Mr. President, this week we saw that President Putin is uninhibited about baring his body while on vacation. Your reaction?"
2
If he is so tough, let Trump and his family take an extended golf vacation in Seoul.
2
Trump "...who once wanted to play the president in “Sharknado 3,” has managed to drag America into a bizarre Sharknado nightmare in which he is the leader of 60 million angry sharks that we did not know have been living next door to us.
These angry sharks adore their dear leader who adores his dear leader in the Kremlin. So! Kim Jong-un is not the only dear leader. While America's dear leader is not as scary as Kim, he is just as bizarre as a clownish and sad parody of a president.
I suggest Trump and Kim settle their "your mamma..." insults and threats in a wrestling match instead of with the deaths of millions. Trump has a vast shark following, he could be announced as Sharknado. Kim is considered a god by his country and could be introduced into the ring as Godzilla. Sharknado meets Godzilla! Bill it as "the match of the millennium" and hold it in Putin's gym. Make it a wrestle to death.
So who would Americans cheer for?
These angry sharks adore their dear leader who adores his dear leader in the Kremlin. So! Kim Jong-un is not the only dear leader. While America's dear leader is not as scary as Kim, he is just as bizarre as a clownish and sad parody of a president.
I suggest Trump and Kim settle their "your mamma..." insults and threats in a wrestling match instead of with the deaths of millions. Trump has a vast shark following, he could be announced as Sharknado. Kim is considered a god by his country and could be introduced into the ring as Godzilla. Sharknado meets Godzilla! Bill it as "the match of the millennium" and hold it in Putin's gym. Make it a wrestle to death.
So who would Americans cheer for?
How can it be that we still don't have ambassadors to South Korea and Japan at this stage of the administration. And with all the talk about North Korea?
1
Why do I feel that the greatest threat North Korea poses to us is Donald Trump?
And, why do I feel that this has more to do with Mueller, the raid on Paul Manafort's house and Russia than anything Kim Jong Un has done?
And, why do I feel that this has more to do with Mueller, the raid on Paul Manafort's house and Russia than anything Kim Jong Un has done?
34
Along with Roger Cohen's "Donald Trump's First Nine Holes" - your commentary saves us with satire. It must helps that it isn't necessary to add anything much to his lines - - just to expand the context . . .
Here's hoping that the 2013 Miss Universe pageant is ultimately seen as a big nothing burger..
Now back to looking for old fallout shelter plans . . .
Here's hoping that the 2013 Miss Universe pageant is ultimately seen as a big nothing burger..
Now back to looking for old fallout shelter plans . . .
4
It's hard not to recognize that Trump's bloviating is exactly what the script of a reality show would call for at this time.
What a way to get ratings! And face it folks, when it comes to Trump, ratings are all that count.
What a way to get ratings! And face it folks, when it comes to Trump, ratings are all that count.
13
OK. Gift Trump with the notion that he's less crazy than he appears whenever he says or does something.
But don't go overboard with calling him a lazy thinker. That would imply that he is not of below average cognitive ability.
How could citizens have chosen such a man? There's more to the earth's problems than mere climate change.
But don't go overboard with calling him a lazy thinker. That would imply that he is not of below average cognitive ability.
How could citizens have chosen such a man? There's more to the earth's problems than mere climate change.
6
All true, but it all comes comes down to one basic question: What will it finally take for the GOP to take action against this man?! The Democrats have been rightfully criticized for lacking a broadly compelling message, but we need to callout the GOPs lack of moral courage in collectively standing up and saying "enough." Stop fiddling while our democracy burns.
8
The problem with hot air is that it can become explosive if it gets too hot. A tiny snowball can develop into an avalanche if not stopped in time.
The danger with Trump is that he will cause WWIII if not impeached beforehand.
The danger with Trump is that he will cause WWIII if not impeached beforehand.
10
"People who've dealt with the private Trump often say they found him less crazy than the public version."
Though I find it difficult to believe that his public persona is so very different than the one people see in private, I suppose it could be possible. But can someone please tell me what the upside of such an act might be? Does Trump imagine his base enjoys crazy? Does he think his relationships with the rest of the world will be better served by appearing unhinged? Or is it some symptom of mental disease? Whatever the motivation or cause, someone needs to let the man know appearing to be off your rocker is a dangerous game; one that has torn this country in two, and has now exposed us all to the real possibility of a nuclear war.
Channel the saner man, Mr. Trump, let him control that other fellow before he precipitates the murder of untold numbers of innocent people and destroys the country that he's been given to lead. This "game" of yours is no game at all.
Though I find it difficult to believe that his public persona is so very different than the one people see in private, I suppose it could be possible. But can someone please tell me what the upside of such an act might be? Does Trump imagine his base enjoys crazy? Does he think his relationships with the rest of the world will be better served by appearing unhinged? Or is it some symptom of mental disease? Whatever the motivation or cause, someone needs to let the man know appearing to be off your rocker is a dangerous game; one that has torn this country in two, and has now exposed us all to the real possibility of a nuclear war.
Channel the saner man, Mr. Trump, let him control that other fellow before he precipitates the murder of untold numbers of innocent people and destroys the country that he's been given to lead. This "game" of yours is no game at all.
5
If the best that you can say about the president of the United States is that he is less crazy in private and than in public, then we are entering the final countdown.
16
Trump's truest statement was that he would never take a vacation while in office. He just goes away from that "dump" in Washington to a place where he can spew vile without the minimal filters that barely restrain him. His respect for intelligence is understandable, as we often admire those who possess qualities which we fundamentally lack.
5
If tweets could kill Trump would be a serial killer. Talk is cheap and no talker is cheaper than Trump. Thinking beyond 140 characters is Trump's impossible dream. Trump is no Tweetie Pie. Putin is no Sylvester.
7
If North Korea sends an unarmed missile near Guam, will Trump consider this a "treat" that he has promised to respond to with "fire and fury"? We really can't say. Trumps off the cuff language is sloppy. This is just the kind of environment that can lead to tragedy.
Trump is truly irresponsible, incompetent and unhinged. We will be lucky to get through four years without having his loose lips costing lives.
Trump is truly irresponsible, incompetent and unhinged. We will be lucky to get through four years without having his loose lips costing lives.
11
From one perspective the North Korean crisis looks like a farce. Two fat bombastic officials bumping chests while their fans cheer. Kind of like professional wrestling.
Looking at it another way, it is a melodrama. The music should be ominously threatening to keep us focused on what might happen as the characters engage each other. The drama is intense, almost artificial.
Unfortunately, this is not any kind of performance art, although I'm not sure Donald Trump realizes this. He's enjoying the role of tough guy who won't make any sissy mistakes of being cautious about nuclear weapons. His fans are cheering, which always makes him feel good.
Some in the press are wringing their hands at the danger we face. Others are trying to be as hopeful as possible; maybe Donald Trump has some kind of strategy in mind.
While they are engaged in thinking, talking and writing about North Korea, they are not keeping the focus on the Russian investigation. The real danger in all this may be, not Kim's bellicosity, but the need to ratchet up the drama. It's the ratings, of course.
Looking at it another way, it is a melodrama. The music should be ominously threatening to keep us focused on what might happen as the characters engage each other. The drama is intense, almost artificial.
Unfortunately, this is not any kind of performance art, although I'm not sure Donald Trump realizes this. He's enjoying the role of tough guy who won't make any sissy mistakes of being cautious about nuclear weapons. His fans are cheering, which always makes him feel good.
Some in the press are wringing their hands at the danger we face. Others are trying to be as hopeful as possible; maybe Donald Trump has some kind of strategy in mind.
While they are engaged in thinking, talking and writing about North Korea, they are not keeping the focus on the Russian investigation. The real danger in all this may be, not Kim's bellicosity, but the need to ratchet up the drama. It's the ratings, of course.
5
Trump should be forced to heed the words of Teddy Roosevelt: Walk softly but carry a big stick. He's in all his glory brandishing that big stick and screaming to the world ("locked and loaded") that he's not timid about using it (unlike his wimpy predecessors Clinton, Bush, and Obama). He's a real tough commander-in-chief, so tough, in fact, that he evaded military service. This is a president so incompetent, so ignorant, and so psychologically disturbed, the "likes of which the world has never seen." He makes Kim look like the adult in the room.
10
Presidential cage fighting: that's the answer to the ratings problem. Come on Mr President, make your base even prouder.
9
With Trump matched against KIm, wouldn't that be more like Sumo wrestling ??
My limited understanding of the sport is that the objective is to push the other outside a circled area. We could have the circle within which they engage to be mounted on a raised platform for all to see. Gravity could prove to be just the solution to many of the world's problems.
My limited understanding of the sport is that the objective is to push the other outside a circled area. We could have the circle within which they engage to be mounted on a raised platform for all to see. Gravity could prove to be just the solution to many of the world's problems.
I see Trump as the only president who spends his entire term (hopefully a truncated one at that) as acting president, because that's all this is...an act. All Trump wants --needs, actually-- is applause. As long as he gets that, the rest of us can just put our worries, complaints and observations where the sun don't shine.
Can anyone name a single "Presidential" action (with the capital "P") that Trump has performed. Recently the TV new showed Trump placing the Congressional Medal of Honor around the neck of a medic...from the Vietnam war. Talk about irony, Gail. I was a medic in Vietnam. I was never in a situation like this man encountered and acquitted himself with the utmost bravery. But had it been me, I don't know that I would have --could have-- accepted the Medal of Honor from this man with the crippling heel spurs and the utter lack of any sense of honor himself.
Can anyone name a single "Presidential" action (with the capital "P") that Trump has performed. Recently the TV new showed Trump placing the Congressional Medal of Honor around the neck of a medic...from the Vietnam war. Talk about irony, Gail. I was a medic in Vietnam. I was never in a situation like this man encountered and acquitted himself with the utmost bravery. But had it been me, I don't know that I would have --could have-- accepted the Medal of Honor from this man with the crippling heel spurs and the utter lack of any sense of honor himself.
12
"Very few presidents have done what we've done in a six-month period." You can say that again.
Presidents since WWII have feared nuclear war. Is Trump getting his base accustomed to the idea with this blustering?
Just to point out, The Project for a New American Century back around 2000 (members included Bush II, Cheney, Wolfowitz, Rove, and others of that crowd) had a mission to use unilateral military strikes (read: invade) to gain access to resources (oil). The Venezuela comment by Trump is nothing new. Republicans only need a pretext to use the American military to enrich themselves. Remember Iraq?
I believe we need to do more than pray that somewhere in the WH is a saner mind not yet fired.
Presidents since WWII have feared nuclear war. Is Trump getting his base accustomed to the idea with this blustering?
Just to point out, The Project for a New American Century back around 2000 (members included Bush II, Cheney, Wolfowitz, Rove, and others of that crowd) had a mission to use unilateral military strikes (read: invade) to gain access to resources (oil). The Venezuela comment by Trump is nothing new. Republicans only need a pretext to use the American military to enrich themselves. Remember Iraq?
I believe we need to do more than pray that somewhere in the WH is a saner mind not yet fired.
7
I'm sorry, but Iraq a pretext for enriching ourselves? A military quagmire, thousand of American lives lost and trillions of dollars down the toilet is not enrichment. Truly a net loss.
1
The problem with boys like Trump and Kim Jong Un playing a game of "chicken" with dangerous toys is that eventually the gunning motors of verbal threats, the escalating tweets and the careful "Mine is bigger than yours." display of military power isn't enough for the base which thirsts for action.
Kim Jong Un can just throw himself a bigger and bigger military parade to Trump's undying envy. Trump has written his base voters an IOU he can't back up; any pivot to diplomacy will put him in the bucket with the Bushes, Clinton and Obama presidents. By the way, just how close to nuclear war will the US come before the bipartisan group of former presidents intervenes?
Kim Jong Un can just throw himself a bigger and bigger military parade to Trump's undying envy. Trump has written his base voters an IOU he can't back up; any pivot to diplomacy will put him in the bucket with the Bushes, Clinton and Obama presidents. By the way, just how close to nuclear war will the US come before the bipartisan group of former presidents intervenes?
8
If this week doesn't convince the under forty set to vote, nothing ever will. The perfect has become the enemy not just of the good but of the "not completely in over his head"
5
Having been a teacher for many years, I am equipped to give advice to the "adult in the room" on how to handle a bully: Rule 1: Never reprimand, or even reason, with a bully in a public space. He will consider the public more important and play to them. Take him out into the hallway. Rule 2: Try to determine what the bully actually wants. If it's just attention, you're gold; you can provide that. If it's a deep-seeded neurosis or twisted ideology, you'll need specialized help. Rule 3: Do not shy from seeking advice from specialists. Rule 4: Don't try the hand-shake routine between the bully and the victim unless you are sure you have rapprochement. He's lying. Rule 4: If you feel like the bully will respond to an intervention, use only female interveners. Girls have a seasoned understanding of male aggression. Rule 5 (which chronologically goes first): Call the parent or guardian of the bully. They might help, though they are often enablers and coconspirators. Rule 6: Do research. Go through the pupil's records. Find out as much as you can. Talk to the bully's counselor. This will prepare you for Rule #1, which is the private talk. Remember to never, never!, provoke a bully in public. Rule 7: Use the nuclear option--punishment--as a last resort. It only represses and postpones the problem.
6
As another article points out, NK needs a 'David vs Goliath' narrative to justify it's nuclear ambitions, crying that the USA threatens their existence.
Trump gives NK exactly what they want. Great negotiating there, Donnie!
Trump gives NK exactly what they want. Great negotiating there, Donnie!
3
Trump has made it impossible for for N. Korea to come to the negotiating table with his lock and load nonsense. He never served in the military where did he get that military term from?
I hope China and Russia will come to our aid maybe N. Korea will listen to them.
China was a big help by saying if N. Korea starts it they will not respond to our counter attack. Putin is also aboard.
I hope China and Russia will come to our aid maybe N. Korea will listen to them.
China was a big help by saying if N. Korea starts it they will not respond to our counter attack. Putin is also aboard.
2
Assuming that the state department employees expelled by Putin are still employed by the U.S. Government when they return to the United States, will they not continue to receive paychecks? Not much money saved there. Perhaps Tillerson will order immediate layoffs.
4
Sure, Trump keeps talking big and doing little. The concerning thing here is that the one time he acted and a majority of Americans approved was when he launched missiles at Syria. He may have the idea this is the logical next step to improve his approval rating.
11
Congratulations Donald. You have just replaced Warren Harding as the WORST President of the U. S..
18
"Congratulations Donald. You have just replaced Warren Harding as the WORST President of the U. S.."
No he hasn't just done it. He had done it by January 21 at the latest.
No he hasn't just done it. He had done it by January 21 at the latest.
11
I stand corrected.
1
It's good to keep in mind that the Republicans believe that wars are good for business and a sure way to bolster the economy. America's endless wars - no wonder the stock market is doing so well.
Our military budget is roughly the size of the next seven largest military budgets around the world, combined. We may as well get our money's worth, right?
I wonder how many Americans understand how the rest of the world views our country. The sense of privilege and arrogance from most is staggering! I just wish there was a system where only the war mongers, regardless of wealth and privilege, would have to serve on the field of battle.
Our military budget is roughly the size of the next seven largest military budgets around the world, combined. We may as well get our money's worth, right?
I wonder how many Americans understand how the rest of the world views our country. The sense of privilege and arrogance from most is staggering! I just wish there was a system where only the war mongers, regardless of wealth and privilege, would have to serve on the field of battle.
25
We now have special ops forces in 70% of the world's countries as of 2016 --that does not include acknowledgement of Somalia, Syria and Yemen. Now Trump wants to add Venezuela and N. Korea. (Forbes)
What are we doing? Apparently, we never leave a country once we arrive -- which means this is driven as much by lack of coherent planning as any supposed threats.
Think of this the next time some infrastructure collapse of health care fiasco directly affects us in the US. We are impoverishing ourselves out of some imagined idea that we can manage every country better than they can themselves.
What are we doing? Apparently, we never leave a country once we arrive -- which means this is driven as much by lack of coherent planning as any supposed threats.
Think of this the next time some infrastructure collapse of health care fiasco directly affects us in the US. We are impoverishing ourselves out of some imagined idea that we can manage every country better than they can themselves.
3
What happened to the thought that the first folks to be called into service for a fighting war should be the people in congress and their their children ? Could it be that this is a plan whose time has come?
1
How has it come to this?
8
Integrity is what's missing. We are the only country that has used nuclear weapons. We have more of them then anyone else. Who are we to decide who can have them and who can't. When integrity goes a lack of respect replaces it. That's where we are moving towards now. Making people afraid of us is not the same as having them respect us. We should learn this from our own obvious gun proliferation problems (but we don't). I have lost a lot of respect for this country's failure to act responsively in these matters. Trump can not be the answer in any way, shape or form. Ignorance is not bliss. It is destructive. Violence is failure of leadership. That is what is happening now.
17
George Bush will be remembered for his fraudulent invasion of the Middle East. Trump will probably be remembered for the threat or possible use of nuclear weapons. There seems to be something of a pattern starting here that involves a lot of death and destruction caused by Republican presidents of questionable intellectual capacity.
25
As they say in Texas, and I hope it's true, he's all hat and no cattle. Otherwise, it really could be the end of times. Kim lobs a warhead at us, we nuke North Korea (south Korea would be affected too), China and or Russia join the game and the fear we all had in the 50s becomes reality. All because the angry white voters wanted $30/hr jobs with no qualifications, women and minorities suppressed, and the bible supplanting the Constitution, the latter document of no interest to the GOP. Then there were the DINOs who voted for Stein. I hope you will all be happy as it all blows up.
23
THIs is the 21st century. We are no longer the bumbling fools our ancestors were, killing each other, belligerent, threatening motherloads of ammunition against each other. In this 21st century, war and weapons should become obsolete. We have to collectively find ways to solve problems because you know when the ice melts in the Antarctica and the Arctic, sea levels will rise and all our coastal cities will submerge. Time is short we have to learn to behave like grown ups. Time to play schoolyard bullies and fist pumping anti humans, is basically OVER. If we want a future for our children and grandchildren we have to WAKE up to the reality that humans were not build to fight each other, yours and mine territorial fights, but realize we are all intertwined interdependent and interconnected. Our survival as a species depends on it.
11
Here in Florida the schools get hurricane days off when those storms approach. Northern states get snows days off when blizzards hit. Trump's perverse idea of uniting America is "nuclear days off" is as outlandish and nightmarish as his rise to power. Presidents with glass egos and tabloid intellects shouldn't have nuclear codes!
12
What is actually going to happen now? Kim will continue to build his military, continue to build atomic bombs, continue to improve his missiles. He will also continue to make threats against the US, South Korea and Japan. Maybe he will test his missiles with a shot near Guam.
And what will the US (or South Korea, or Japan) do about it? Essentially, there is nothing anyone can do. Any military option would result in a bloodbath: Seoul (pop. 13 000 000) destroyed, perhaps Tokyo also.
There is only one option that isn't catastrophic: engage with N. Korea, negotiate a non-agression treaty (which is what they really want), remove sanctions, and hope for liberalization.
And what will the US (or South Korea, or Japan) do about it? Essentially, there is nothing anyone can do. Any military option would result in a bloodbath: Seoul (pop. 13 000 000) destroyed, perhaps Tokyo also.
There is only one option that isn't catastrophic: engage with N. Korea, negotiate a non-agression treaty (which is what they really want), remove sanctions, and hope for liberalization.
11
How is it that egoism, recklessness, ignorance, lack of empathy, and all the character flaws we reject in everyday people, can be so easily accepted in a president. "Trump became president, so nothing would surprise me" used to be my mantra, but no longer. Now I'm continually shocked and at the complacency that keeps this dangerous individual in the White House.
26
Trump's tough talk, I suspect, is as much to sound tough as it is to take attention away from the Russia probe.
Of course, Trump being all about Trump is putting the country in a precarious situation, with the threats he has made against North Korea and Venezuela.
"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far," Teddy Roosevelt wrote once, wise words that escapes Trump.
As it is, North Korea threatened to launch missiles at or near Guam after Trump's "fire and fury" threat. Trump doubled down after his version of the line on the sand was crossed.
China, incidentally, has warned North Korea that it is on its own if it sends missiles near US territory. China also warned that it will come to North Korea's aid if the US and/or South Korea opts to launch a preemptive strike.
The country has added to its deficit woes with ill-advised military adventures in Afghanistan, Iraq and so on. North Korea is, like it or not, a nuclear power, and a substantial conventional threat as well. The cost of war with North Korea, both financially and in human lives, would be much worse than what we suffered in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Trump said in 2016, "I want to help all of our allies, but we are losing billions and billions of dollars. We cannot be the policemen of the world."
Apparently those were empty words. The best we can hope is that his latest threats are also empty words.
Of course, Trump being all about Trump is putting the country in a precarious situation, with the threats he has made against North Korea and Venezuela.
"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far," Teddy Roosevelt wrote once, wise words that escapes Trump.
As it is, North Korea threatened to launch missiles at or near Guam after Trump's "fire and fury" threat. Trump doubled down after his version of the line on the sand was crossed.
China, incidentally, has warned North Korea that it is on its own if it sends missiles near US territory. China also warned that it will come to North Korea's aid if the US and/or South Korea opts to launch a preemptive strike.
The country has added to its deficit woes with ill-advised military adventures in Afghanistan, Iraq and so on. North Korea is, like it or not, a nuclear power, and a substantial conventional threat as well. The cost of war with North Korea, both financially and in human lives, would be much worse than what we suffered in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Trump said in 2016, "I want to help all of our allies, but we are losing billions and billions of dollars. We cannot be the policemen of the world."
Apparently those were empty words. The best we can hope is that his latest threats are also empty words.
6
Unfortunately, Trump is exactly the kind of irresponsible Pres who would not just bluster, but cause a catastrophic war to stop the Russian "problem." Why worry, he and his family will not be donning uniforms.
1
What Trump doesn't realize is all this talk of going nuclear might resonate with other nuclear able countries and before we know it, Israel India Pakistan china and European nations will all start rattling their nuclear missiles. Fireworks like the Universe hasn't seen since the last Big Bang!
3
"I'm not sure anyone has done what we've done in a six month period." He's right about that...and it ain't good.
11
It is high time we imagine the unimaginable - nuclear holocaust and an aftermath of nuclear winter - and boot this sick man from office. Our planet is at stake.
22
Can we go back to when we had Scaramucci?
11
I think I'll go watch Dr. Strangelove.
7
At least Dr. Stangelove is funny. This is not. Watch Failsafe.
2
To all the thoughtful people who could not support Hillary Clinton (servers, "lying", whatever Trumped-up reason): You stayed home, or voted for Jill Steinburg. Are you happy today? Or, even a little remorseful?
26
I have one of those in my family. They are not remorseful. They dodge the issues arising with Trump in the WH, and are still focused on how "terrible" Hillary would have been. It's "Bernie, Bernie, Bernie" all the way.
1
Madman! Madman! Bombs away! When Seoul becomes rubble, Trump will proclaim, "You don't mess with me."
6
Gail, you must lead every column with nobody likes you, Mr. Trump, because it's true and it makes him crazy. The 30-35% that like him, that's about the same number that think aliens in human suits run our government. They're the crackpot vote -- 'nuff said. He needs to be hammered with that again and again. When his head blows up and he says he's going to turn the military on the 65-70% of us who despise him (remember, he's already threatened military action in Chicago), that's when he'll get carted out -- and not in a golf cart.
16
The effect of Trump's tough tweets have been to publicize and legitimize North Korea's nuclear power. He has raised their fearless leader right up to his own level.
This is an unattended consequence of Trump's strategy for pushing his Russia collusion and legislative failure news off the front pages. It is a true measure of his competence.
This is an unattended consequence of Trump's strategy for pushing his Russia collusion and legislative failure news off the front pages. It is a true measure of his competence.
8
I have to agree with Trump's assertion he has accomplished more in 6 months than any other US President:
A lot more insults of Congressional leaders, foreign leaders and past Presidents.
Saved millions of dollars by not filling State Department positions.
Threaten the military option on more countries.
Used more hair gel and hair spray than any former President.
Eaten more chocolate cake and ice cream.
Made more money from foreign governments in his hotels and golf clubs and still has paid no income tax.
Issued more threats to North Korea.
And yet has not signed one trade deal.
Knows more "substantial guys?" Is that a quote from the Sopranos?
A lot more insults of Congressional leaders, foreign leaders and past Presidents.
Saved millions of dollars by not filling State Department positions.
Threaten the military option on more countries.
Used more hair gel and hair spray than any former President.
Eaten more chocolate cake and ice cream.
Made more money from foreign governments in his hotels and golf clubs and still has paid no income tax.
Issued more threats to North Korea.
And yet has not signed one trade deal.
Knows more "substantial guys?" Is that a quote from the Sopranos?
15
Kim and Trump have back channels to each other--probably via Dennis Rodman and Exxon-Mobile. The two maniacs agreed to boost each others credibility, and each will declare victory.
4
Others may have made this suggestion: Well balanced USA diplomats making threats against North Korea would be ignored because they are known to be well balanced; conversely unblaanced persons in authority might be taken seriously when they make threats of nuclear strikes for the exact reason they are known as unbalanced.
It is unfortunate that both North Korea and the USA have such persons in power. What does that say about the people who put and kept them there?
It is unfortunate that both North Korea and the USA have such persons in power. What does that say about the people who put and kept them there?
120
While we can't stop nations from going nuclear, we can show leadership on behaving respectfully and rationally, as our past Presidents have mostly done..... and it has worked....
Everyone knows that an act of folly will unleash an unthinkable response, so no folly...
But to threaten such a response to an act of mere testing the technology sets the bar in a whole different place.... one that invites a host of actions that will fly under the radar... war by other means... biological ? cyber ? terrorist ?
So stumpy, have your fun.... entertain your base.... but your stupidity is showing, again....
This in on YOU, and every fool who cheers you on....
Everyone knows that an act of folly will unleash an unthinkable response, so no folly...
But to threaten such a response to an act of mere testing the technology sets the bar in a whole different place.... one that invites a host of actions that will fly under the radar... war by other means... biological ? cyber ? terrorist ?
So stumpy, have your fun.... entertain your base.... but your stupidity is showing, again....
This in on YOU, and every fool who cheers you on....
184
We all know that 45 is an avid tv viewer. He'd probably install a battery of 60'"flatscreens in all the State Rooms of the White House if he could. Perhaps someone should remind him that Samsung is a South Korean company, and a strike on Seoul might wreck havoc with the delivery of these products to the United States-45 is an instant gratification type, and he wouldn't want to be on a waiting list for a new set. Civilian casualties in the hundreds of thousands might leave him cold, but having to wait for a new flatscreen? It's worth a try.
9
He lies on an ongoing basis. He's accomplished NOTHING in over 200 days.
He attacks his allies and fellow Republicans for his failures. His staff and cabinet with a few exceptions is low caliber and ineffective. He speaks like an uneducated dummy. Americas standing and respect for our President has NEVER been lower. If he hasn't obstructed justice No one ever has. Now the cherry on top- he's recklessly threatening nuclear war and has elevated the madman in North Korea to co-equal status with the President of the United States.
Any American that supports this fool after all this and more and thinks he's doing a good job is, well, deplorable.
He attacks his allies and fellow Republicans for his failures. His staff and cabinet with a few exceptions is low caliber and ineffective. He speaks like an uneducated dummy. Americas standing and respect for our President has NEVER been lower. If he hasn't obstructed justice No one ever has. Now the cherry on top- he's recklessly threatening nuclear war and has elevated the madman in North Korea to co-equal status with the President of the United States.
Any American that supports this fool after all this and more and thinks he's doing a good job is, well, deplorable.
11
Teddy Roosevelt: "A Square Deal for America"
Woodrow Wilson: "New Freedom"
FDR: "A New Deal for America"
LBJ: "The Great Society"
The current president: "Just Kidding!"
Woodrow Wilson: "New Freedom"
FDR: "A New Deal for America"
LBJ: "The Great Society"
The current president: "Just Kidding!"
11
Isn't it always the ones who never served, like Dick Cheney, who are so cavalierly willing to send our troops into battle?
566
The GOP chickenhawks are alive and well.
1
Hey DRB,
How about ol' George Dubbaya hisself? Do you call what he did as "serving"?
More like "AWOL", I'd say?
How about ol' George Dubbaya hisself? Do you call what he did as "serving"?
More like "AWOL", I'd say?
1
I would have so loved to have been Trumps D.I. in bootcamp.
10
Trump contains to be a fount of misinformation or as he would term it "False News." In terms of "Mine is bigger than yours" he is correct when that refers to the number of nuclear weapons. His tough talk is dangerous. But it will continue because few 71 year olds can change their nature.
4
Donald is a TV reality show character and a con artist. While manufacturing drama that keeps us whiplashed from comment to comment, the real damage to our country goes on daily, secretly buried under the most recent headline. All these "top" headlines may be titled "What Donald Said." Yawn! The real news is here : https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/11/us/politics/scott-pruitt-epa.html
This and similar stories detail the wholesale destruction of government documents, public information and policy. From Devos to Pruitt, to Tillerman, every one of Donald's picks are placed to strategically deconstruct Obama-era policy. The nuclear threat HAS arrived. Its target is democracy, humanism, health, welfare, equality, justice and the greater good.
This and similar stories detail the wholesale destruction of government documents, public information and policy. From Devos to Pruitt, to Tillerman, every one of Donald's picks are placed to strategically deconstruct Obama-era policy. The nuclear threat HAS arrived. Its target is democracy, humanism, health, welfare, equality, justice and the greater good.
11
I think North Korea should have its BOMB! and so should every other country that wants to defend themselves or..... we should all work to get rid of them. Psychology 101 says you don't beat a child to teach them not to beat someone else. A perfect example that shows it doesn't work is President Donald J. Trump. Are all his retired generals also buying into the "let's try the tough talk approach because it's all they understand"? These guys are all cavemen walking around with their clubs. The human race hasn't come very far.
2
Gail, it is common knowledge that Mr. Trump does not like information that requires more than half a page. Really, are you joining the cabal to try to defeat the Deep State by spreading glowing reports (aka lies) about the man? Shame on you. A full page, indeed! And pretending man never follows through on his word in such a blatant attempt to reassure people.
I realize that for someone with your ability with the witty word, Mr. Trump is a godsend. You must, however, stop shoring him up at every turn.
I realize that for someone with your ability with the witty word, Mr. Trump is a godsend. You must, however, stop shoring him up at every turn.
2
Perhaps some of those returning American diplomats can find less costly employment working in a presidential environment here in the states, say Mar-A-Lago. Save on visa fees for imported talent.
3
The President has backed himself into a corner. To get out, look for him to take military action against Mitch.
15
trump further tweeted, "And Iceland, I'm watching you and we're taking nothing off the table".
8
Our president mimics the childish bluster of a third world dictator and in a recent poll his approval rating shoots up. now that's scary.
17
I think he means exactly what he tweets.
I hope he does!
I hope he does!
1
Is anyone else is tired of the staff follow ups in the days following inane remarks such as be as rough as you can and thanks to Putin for expelling 700 plus diplomats and staffs from Russia.? " He was only kidding " is getting very tiresome. Hopefully, this president will start realizing that words matter even the limited vocabulary that he posses.
6
So today Trump threatened Venezuela with military action, for what purpose no one can tell. Today Venezuela, tomorrow the world! Excelsior!
12
In January of this year, I predicted in a comment to this institution that new president Trump would fail badly and start a war to regain public support.
You refused to post that comment.
How about now?
You refused to post that comment.
How about now?
25
As exclusive trump thinks the National Golf course is or Mar a Lago, he will never be a member of the most exclusive gathering, the President's Club. Imagine his post-presidential library. No books, just magazine covers. And where are they going to hang his presidential portrait? In storage.
9
I often remarked that W's library would probably be in a phone booth. MrT's will fit in the drawer of a night table with room to spare.
1
I bet Boehner is still whistling a happy tune.
8
There is nothing that makes the world more nervous than war talk by a powerful nation. And when that nation is led by someone who has no conception of foreign relations and is, moreover, unreliable and unstable, you have the makings of a considerable crisis.
The Guam threat was made many months ago: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/...
So why this saber rattling now? What is Trump trying to hide?
The Guam threat was made many months ago: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/...
So why this saber rattling now? What is Trump trying to hide?
13
Sufficiently distracted yet? Godspeed, Mr. Mueller. I hope you and your team understand that you are tasked with saving the planet. The GOP is certainly not up to it.
Make America Intelligent Again. I know, that's a heavy lift.
Make America Intelligent Again. I know, that's a heavy lift.
36
Let's hope the Swiss embassy is crawling with American and North Korean diplomats talking to each other.
9
Gail, worry no more.
Last night it struck me like a bolt of lightning. I have finally figured out Trump's strategy. The loopy guy with the nuclear football really does have a plan.
The months of ineptitude. The failure to accomplish anything. The unending golf vacations on the tax payer dime. Terrifying Earth's humanity with his threats of nuclear fury. It finally all makes sense to me.
Trump is positioning himself for a contract buy out.
I think the time has come for Congress to make him an initial offer. I think for $5 Billion and an exemption from paying any future taxes, he will resign from the Presidency. At least this seems like a good place to start the negotiations.
Just think about this. All the fumbles and interceptions over the past 6 months were a ploy to get a buy out.
Unprecedented, you say. Pshaw! "Unprecedented" and "unpresidential" is the Trump brand. The only possible goal Trump could have for his monumental failure is a buy out. Congress just needs to get the negotiations started.
Last night it struck me like a bolt of lightning. I have finally figured out Trump's strategy. The loopy guy with the nuclear football really does have a plan.
The months of ineptitude. The failure to accomplish anything. The unending golf vacations on the tax payer dime. Terrifying Earth's humanity with his threats of nuclear fury. It finally all makes sense to me.
Trump is positioning himself for a contract buy out.
I think the time has come for Congress to make him an initial offer. I think for $5 Billion and an exemption from paying any future taxes, he will resign from the Presidency. At least this seems like a good place to start the negotiations.
Just think about this. All the fumbles and interceptions over the past 6 months were a ploy to get a buy out.
Unprecedented, you say. Pshaw! "Unprecedented" and "unpresidential" is the Trump brand. The only possible goal Trump could have for his monumental failure is a buy out. Congress just needs to get the negotiations started.
482
Should we be so lucky as to this contract buyout, when it comes time to pony up the few billion, we should follow Trump's lead in terms of contract payment: short him a billion or two.
If he doesn't like it, he can sue us.
If he doesn't like it, he can sue us.
7
When Pres. Trump said nobody had done more in six months (closer to seven actually), what he meant was that no previous President had talked more than he about legislation that had been promised but had not been passed.
6
Actually, nobody has done more Harm in six months.
2
Trump can rattle all of his sabers because if war breaks out he will have the safest bunker in the world. He and his cronies will be protected against the war he is trying to start. Unlike the rest of the us.
The Russia investigation must be getting really closes to indicting him and his family. Trump is using his powers of distracting us with the worst possible outcomes so we forget about the Russia investigation.
Hurry up Mueller before we are toast.
The Russia investigation must be getting really closes to indicting him and his family. Trump is using his powers of distracting us with the worst possible outcomes so we forget about the Russia investigation.
Hurry up Mueller before we are toast.
248
Great comic relief indeed but when I get up in the morning, I never know which bombshell will fall out when I read the news. North Korea yesterday, Venezuela tomorrow..hey, maybe France is next on his list. But we all know Russia is not, it's such a great country, according to Trump. Shame on him!
19
The North Korean dictator cannot continue to practice his missiles against us. Why don't you write a historical perspective about how Clinton sold the nukes and the 1994 agreement and how stupid he was to give them what he did and agreed to. You cannot negotiate with these people or Iran. The democrats have repeated
Y insulted the American people.
Y insulted the American people.
The North Koreans are indoctrinated from a young age to view USA as an axis of evil, much like FOX News viewers are indoctrinated to view peace/sustainability/fairness-loving democrats.
5
My words are aimed at my fellow citizens who put this man (with the aid of an antiquated electoral college) in office. Trump has now shown his true colors; in fact, he demonstrated his complete lack of morals and readiness for office during the campaign. Any hope that he would "grow up and act presidential" once in office must have evaporated by now.
What are YOU going to do? Sit back and watch your children's future disappear along with the environment? Watch him lead us into an unnecessary and possibly nuclear war to divert attention from his financial dealings with the Russians? Are you really that blind? That mad at being "left behind" that you would rather destroy our democracy with this belligerent, ranting and raving madman? And I'm not talking about the "supreme leader" of North Korea.
What are YOU going to do? Sit back and watch your children's future disappear along with the environment? Watch him lead us into an unnecessary and possibly nuclear war to divert attention from his financial dealings with the Russians? Are you really that blind? That mad at being "left behind" that you would rather destroy our democracy with this belligerent, ranting and raving madman? And I'm not talking about the "supreme leader" of North Korea.
27
Let's all be grateful that Congress has not offered to make Trump King of the United States, as was the case with George Washington, who refused the offer.
14
Washington refused the offer because he didn't want to be King George the IV.
The Donald would be King Caligula the II.
The Donald would be King Caligula the II.
Beginning with Mr. Clinton, all past administrations have been kicking the can on North Korea, but now, we are near the end of the road. IMO, the only way to handle Kim Jong-Un is to place all available military assets near his door, fully visible, and allow him to make a decision. Readers can do all the "arm chair quarterbacking" they wish, but I assure you, if one ICBM gets launched over the pole and gets through, they will be wish Mr. Trump had been even more aggressive in his stance in taking out this lunatic.
3
His accomplishments so far consist of empowering white nationalists with hate, getting new AC for white house office, and making health care more expensive nest year , oh wAIT I FORGOT ABOUT NEW CARPET FOR OVAL OFFICE.
22
As many withdraw from the president, including US politicians and world leaders, it looks increasingly like our military is disregarding his direction as well. What happens to the chain of command that the military respects? It will survive in the ranks I believe, but our current POTUS has seriously diminished the office he occupies. That is a serious violation of our constitution and, along with his possible charge soon of 'obstruction of justice', makes the 25th amendment more likely as the only viable solution. A military coup would not be a good precedent for the future of our country.
10
I think the North Korean leadership is too hedonistic to risk it all in a nuclear endgame.
To Trump this would be perfect though. He is deeply ingrained with pre-medieval evangelical eschatological visions of what life is about.
Proving climate change a hoax with a beautiful nuclear winter, taking the entire planet with him in his inevitable downfall, that he postponed by a thousand 'settlements', and tried a last time to ward off in vain by firing Comey, getting himself Mueller instead, how sweet can bitter revenge be to him?
I rather see him provoke one of his Muslim counterpart puppies posing as top dogs though, puppets dancing to the strings of their greed impulses, rewarding themselves as the holy chosen ones, and to the strings of their eschatological, religious revenge instincts. Or maybe just an overprovoked lone cell of culprits with access to the nuclear code, a few lost folks obeying the hate muezzin´s call for holiness, will set off our long due earthly Karmageddon.
It´s not just Trump. It´s our entire religious-military-industrial complex.
They´re singing "Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" for a long time already, as strongly profit-greed driven as by "Drill, baby, drill!"
When the uncrowned queen of alternative facts, Kellyanne Conway, promoted the Bowling Green Massacre, was she misspeaking and actually pre-announcing the Golf Green Massacre of this week?
Whatever it is we are hearing or seeing, of one thing we can rest assured: we ain´t heard or seen nothing yet.
To Trump this would be perfect though. He is deeply ingrained with pre-medieval evangelical eschatological visions of what life is about.
Proving climate change a hoax with a beautiful nuclear winter, taking the entire planet with him in his inevitable downfall, that he postponed by a thousand 'settlements', and tried a last time to ward off in vain by firing Comey, getting himself Mueller instead, how sweet can bitter revenge be to him?
I rather see him provoke one of his Muslim counterpart puppies posing as top dogs though, puppets dancing to the strings of their greed impulses, rewarding themselves as the holy chosen ones, and to the strings of their eschatological, religious revenge instincts. Or maybe just an overprovoked lone cell of culprits with access to the nuclear code, a few lost folks obeying the hate muezzin´s call for holiness, will set off our long due earthly Karmageddon.
It´s not just Trump. It´s our entire religious-military-industrial complex.
They´re singing "Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" for a long time already, as strongly profit-greed driven as by "Drill, baby, drill!"
When the uncrowned queen of alternative facts, Kellyanne Conway, promoted the Bowling Green Massacre, was she misspeaking and actually pre-announcing the Golf Green Massacre of this week?
Whatever it is we are hearing or seeing, of one thing we can rest assured: we ain´t heard or seen nothing yet.
9
Whatever happened to "America First"?
8
What say you now, all you Democrats who bought the anti-Hillary lines and did not vote in 2016? All you Independents who decided to give Trump a try? All you Republican nominators of Trump? If the “Better Deal” slogan is not persuasive enough for you to vote for Democrats in 2018, how about “Make America Great Again”?
51
I might be satisfied with just plain "Make America Again."
Paul, I'd settle for "Back to OK, US of A!"
The Republican Party has been particularly good at getting the country into unending wars so Trump's bellicose rhetoric is indeed frightening. I fear for our young people... for as Einstein remarked, “Older men start wars, but younger men fight them." .... and die in them. Trump, who avoided his own military service during the Vietnam war, seems to relish being the tough guy as if he is part of a movie but with little personal fear of harm because someone else does the fighting for him. The risk he is putting the Korean people and other Eastern countries is immense.
31
To all you Trump supporters who voted for him because "he will make our country safer"...how is that working out for you now?
56
And now the Republican playbook...tax cuts and a war. Right, Georgie?
39
As the meuller investigators close in, war is the best diversion for the Trump family doesn't matter that hundreds and thousands of people will be put in harm's way. We learned that from Bush junior.
3
As Jeb correctly said "Trump is a chaos candidate and would be a chaos president."
Unfortunately, America got what it voted for.
Unfortunately, America got what it voted for.
757
Almost 11 million more people, in total, voted against Trump than voted for him. Our system has no way to accommodate those who do not win enough states (Hillary and her 3 million+ more voters) or those who say, "None of the Above" (almost 8 million voters). We need to change this. We need a trigger to handle situations where someone wins the Electoral College but not even a plurality of the votes. What would it take? What if someone "won" but the other candidate had 50 million more votes? How much outrage is enough?
3
@Doug, there is a movement afoot to end the Electoral College called the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Here's something about it: http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/11/10/the_electoral_college_...
Given the appeal of a foreign war to a leader being scrutinized for possibly treasonous and/or corrupt behavior, Trump's tossing in the possibility of military intervention in Venezuela is interesting. His bellicose base would love the flexing of American muscle and the rest of the country might at least be relieved the big baby's attention turned to something less dangerous than North Korea.
15
Won't there need to be a reintroduction of the draft to maintain a presence in all these new wars? Can they find enough white men not on opioids to serve?
As is clear from another article in today's NYT, there is a thirst for this kind of confrontational rhetoric by Mr.Trump in many parts of this country. I find this to be chilling. The mature way to handle North Korea's threat is to publicly ignore them and work with our allies to control the situation. Terrorism whether by nations or individuals will not be going away and meeting fire with fire will only result in tragedy.
37
As the federal civilian payroll is reduced "very substantially", the over seas bank accounts of the Trump cronies increase dramatically through their privatization and deregulation activities.
37
Gail, thanks for comic relief from a depressing situation.
24
“Americans should sleep well at night.”
About humans elsewhere, who cares?
About humans elsewhere, who cares?
40
Aren't Trump's "tough tweets" more smoke and mirrors to distract the thinking public from the Mueller investigation? It may be that the closer Mueller gets to dislodging potentially damaging information that Trump prefers desperately to keep hidden, the more crazy and belligerent he becomes. When Trump doubles down on his "strong man" rhetoric, it's because his "savior" complex has kicked in. But the only skin he really wants to protect is his own.
34
Why must we continue to over intellectualize Trump? He's just crazy. He should be removed under the 25th Amendment and hospitalized. Often the most simple answer is the correct answer.
89
Six months into his presidency and already government officials are advising US territory residents to not look at the mushroom cloud, lest they damage their eyesight in the pause before the first shock wave vaporizes them.
It his is winning, I'm sick of it.
Trump's warning, mind you, was less aimed at North Korea than it was aimed at Robert Mueller. Trump might as well have said, "obtain a warrant for a predawn raid on Trump Tower and I will turn the Korean peninsula into a parking lot."
Get this mad man out of office, now.
It his is winning, I'm sick of it.
Trump's warning, mind you, was less aimed at North Korea than it was aimed at Robert Mueller. Trump might as well have said, "obtain a warrant for a predawn raid on Trump Tower and I will turn the Korean peninsula into a parking lot."
Get this mad man out of office, now.
68
Both the President of the United States and the Leader of North Corea are resorting to weapons of MASS DISTRACTION while inflicting pain and suffering to the poor and the marginalized in their own countries.
25
Rain is forecast today in NJ. Would somebody please hide the nuclear code football???
12
Let me get this straight. We save several million dollars in salaries we would have paid for diplomats at the State Department. We spend one or two trillion dollars on another avoidable military conflict, with the expected result of America being labeled a war criminal and an incompetent one at that.. Trump is showing America why it is better to have a great businessman in the Oval Office. is there a bankruptcy court at the Hague?
38
and how about the millions spent as the secret service protects the family on overseas business trips?
11
Diplomats stay on the payroll. No $ saved......
Is it possible that only seven months ago we had a president whose administration did not have a single scandal in 8 years? Who spoke articulately and thoughtfully? Who hired experienced professionals rather than turning the National Security Council over to 30-year old Breitbart reporters? Who vetted his nominees and did not nominate people who had millions of dollars of unreported income from Ukraine or Russia or Turkey? Who spent his evenings reading policy briefs? It's hard to believe we began the year 2017 so accustomed to this normalcy.
103
Donald and Kim have several things in common - big egos, little experience, and, most of all, the need at all cost to avoid appearing weak.
Is it likely that their bluster will end in a war this week? No. Is it likely that it will end with the two sides on hair trigger for the foreseeable future? Absolutely.
In 1914 the Austro-Hungarian ambassador asked the Kaiser Wilhelm II, in private, what Germany's position would be if war came with Serbia over the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The unscripted, unconsulted response was that Germany would unconditionally stand with her ally. The result was two World Wars, the Cold War, and the deaths of millions.
And some think that when Secretary of State Atchison left "South Korea" off the list of countries the United States would defend that gave the North a "green light" to attack in 1950.
Sometimes words are as deadly as weapons.
Is it likely that their bluster will end in a war this week? No. Is it likely that it will end with the two sides on hair trigger for the foreseeable future? Absolutely.
In 1914 the Austro-Hungarian ambassador asked the Kaiser Wilhelm II, in private, what Germany's position would be if war came with Serbia over the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The unscripted, unconsulted response was that Germany would unconditionally stand with her ally. The result was two World Wars, the Cold War, and the deaths of millions.
And some think that when Secretary of State Atchison left "South Korea" off the list of countries the United States would defend that gave the North a "green light" to attack in 1950.
Sometimes words are as deadly as weapons.
43
Why does Trump believe the intelligence on North Korea? Shouldn't he be casting doubt on it as he has the intelligence on Russia?
239
The POTUS is all braggadocio, all bluster and tweets, but no action. He's as transparent in this regard as a clean pane of glass. The global leadership ranks are seeing clear thru him at this point. America is in for a "fun" remainder of term at the rate he is going.
So it goes.
John~
American Net'Zen
So it goes.
John~
American Net'Zen
9
Someone on one of those endless CNN panel discussions offered an analysis of Trump that I found especially worthwhile. Trump, he said, most enjoys talking about himself being President. He doesn't actually like being President, because it is a difficult job and not everyone agrees with you. But Trump watching himself, as on TV, is a source of endless delight for Trump.
He is, put another way, basking in his own spotlight. Let's have more of me, Trump says to himself every morning when he rolls out of bed. The very definition of a meglomaniacal narcissist.
He is, put another way, basking in his own spotlight. Let's have more of me, Trump says to himself every morning when he rolls out of bed. The very definition of a meglomaniacal narcissist.
103
Where Trump is "winning" is with his base, which absolutely loves his bellicosity. They would love to have him bomb the hell out of the North Koreans. The less inhumane among them foolishly believe that we can "take out" Kim and his missiles without hurting any "innocent people." One cited in a front page article even feels safe because he is in Bolder, CO (apparently it's ok with him if DT's actions get a few million coastal Americans killed as long as his spot in the middle is ok - hey, they're probably elitist liberals, anyway - right?).
459
"Bellicose definition, inclined or eager to fight; aggressively hostile; belligerent; pugnacious." - defines Trump and his followers.
Trump and his 36% of voters love this persona that he sells on twitter and in the media. But, in some ways, he just reminds me of VP Cheney - another shallow dangerous looney. Solutions to problems = 'bomb them into the stone age". Invade, invade, invade Iraq, Venezuela, NK = helps the ratings. The NRA has stepped into it big mpw with their plea for NK to target CA.
I feel like I am watching a pro wrestling match. But, he may just be "all hot air with no balloon". Hoping here.
Trump and his 36% of voters love this persona that he sells on twitter and in the media. But, in some ways, he just reminds me of VP Cheney - another shallow dangerous looney. Solutions to problems = 'bomb them into the stone age". Invade, invade, invade Iraq, Venezuela, NK = helps the ratings. The NRA has stepped into it big mpw with their plea for NK to target CA.
I feel like I am watching a pro wrestling match. But, he may just be "all hot air with no balloon". Hoping here.
But weather patterns head east, as in Wyoming and Nebraska.
1
The guy in Boulder probably doesnt care because the coasties didnt vote for Trump. In fact, he would be dancing a jig if the coasties were taken out.
"I’m not sure that anybody’s done what we’ve done in a six-month period,” Trump said.
Actually, that's true. But it's all catastrophic.
Actually, that's true. But it's all catastrophic.
310
N Korea? "Bomb it"
Venezuela? "Invade it"
McConnell? "You are fired!"
Hilary? "I won"
Various women not related to him? "blood, look at that face... etc."
Mooch? "You are fired but I will have dinner with you"
Priebus? "You are fired but you are a good man"
Putin? "Thank you"
Venezuela? "Invade it"
McConnell? "You are fired!"
Hilary? "I won"
Various women not related to him? "blood, look at that face... etc."
Mooch? "You are fired but I will have dinner with you"
Priebus? "You are fired but you are a good man"
Putin? "Thank you"
108
Follow the money......get the tax returns.
Bob Mueller, I am sure you are listening......
Bob Mueller, I am sure you are listening......
4
Mr. Tillerson met with his NK counterpart the other day, it is not a coincidence that a day later this fake crisis developed. Somehow money is going to be funneled to the NK and perhaps via our good friend Mr. Putin.
Mr. Trump will get a diplomatic win as Mr. Kim will see the light of negotiating. To save face the Chinese of course will get involved with Mr. Kim and viola, Mr. Kim will be siting at the negotiating table having a coffee with Mr. Trump.
there will be no war or even a skirmish.
If you ran a hedge fun this type of information of a "crisis" that would drop the stock market would be quite nice to have, now i wonder who may have this information.
Mr. Trump will get a diplomatic win as Mr. Kim will see the light of negotiating. To save face the Chinese of course will get involved with Mr. Kim and viola, Mr. Kim will be siting at the negotiating table having a coffee with Mr. Trump.
there will be no war or even a skirmish.
If you ran a hedge fun this type of information of a "crisis" that would drop the stock market would be quite nice to have, now i wonder who may have this information.
20
Interesting, very interesting indeed. Hadn't thought of the potential Putin connection. Then all sing along how they help avoid nuclear war.
One of the many reasons people feared his election was his proximity to the nuclear codes. Now this scenario has predictably unfolded as we all hold our breath, wondering what the next erratic tweet will say and what irreparable, irreversible damage it might do. I also find it amusing that Trump has so much compassion for the people "dying and suffering in Venezuela" when you consider the suffering he has inflicted in this country between his immigration orders and deportations and calling for the repeal of health care for millions just so he can destroy Obama's legacy. The insanity just never ends and his supporters continue to embrace it. I no longer have any expectation that anyone can turn him around with reason, logic or consequences. He's just not interested.
356
Leader of the Free World... or "all hot air, no balloon"? We know from The Art of the Deal that Trump likes to throw a "bomb" into a business meeting to see what happens (which by the way is the best Trump lovers can come up with in defence: Let's see what happens). But now he's on the world stage and threatening to throw a real bomb, maybe a nuclear bomb, into one or more countries. Will the Far East become his one-up to W's Middle East adventure? The world is certainly changing when we look to Xi Jingping to tell Trump that his "off the cuff remarks" are "tacky" and "emotional". Emotional??? Did Xi just grab Trump by the wherever? Let's hope Mueller's exposure of decades of Russian money laundering sends Trump for the White House back to the Tower or the Big House to contemplate his mistake in opening himself up to a lot more than the $10 million he's already paid in fines for money laundering in his casino days. You can't make this stuff up? With Trump YOU CAN.
50
He is trying to make up for his youthful cowardice after military school when he begged his father to find a way for him to avoid service in Vietnam after he had received a call from his (Flushing, NY) draft board. The elder Trump had his doctor write a letter stating that the Donald had a bad heel. He really didn't want to go to Nam because it was dangerous and there were no young women to harass there.
Now he surrounds himself with generals and salutes anyone in a uniform. This is the poor substitute for a man whom t
Now he surrounds himself with generals and salutes anyone in a uniform. This is the poor substitute for a man whom t
59
Do you think Rex sleep well at night while his boss undermines him? I bet those folks who turned down cabinet positions are singing happy songs tonight. Moving on...
All this bellicose rhetoric from a man who had bone spurs at the height of the Vietnam War is interesting. The closest he's come to the military and bravery is the military school his parents sent him to, and, yet he's willing to play Russian Roulette with the world's lives. What hubris.
Between his NK rants and his new war against Mitch McConnell plus threats against Venezuela, the Russian investigation is now the 3rd story. Does seem like wag the dog territory here.
All this bellicose rhetoric from a man who had bone spurs at the height of the Vietnam War is interesting. The closest he's come to the military and bravery is the military school his parents sent him to, and, yet he's willing to play Russian Roulette with the world's lives. What hubris.
Between his NK rants and his new war against Mitch McConnell plus threats against Venezuela, the Russian investigation is now the 3rd story. Does seem like wag the dog territory here.
45
I never thought a military coup was a possibility in the USA until Trump came along.
I wonder how many serious thinkers have had quiet discussions about which line the President must not be allowed to cross.
I wonder how many serious thinkers have had quiet discussions about which line the President must not be allowed to cross.
73
I've been telling all my friends the same thing for months. I never ever thought the word "coup" and the United States would ever be in a sentence together.
I have had fleeting thoughts that perhaps I might someday live to regret making disparaging comments about our president. Ridiculous?
What a pair. DJT, who seems not to have a sense of humor, other than to say, that was a joke after being called on another outrageous tweet. And Gail Collins, who, week after week seems able to conjure some humor out of this morass into which Republicans have sunk. I do not know how Collins does it, but if there is a recipe, I want it.
58
What is the matter with everyone? Why do commentators keep pointing out that Trump never criticizes Putin? It's been obvious from the start that Putin has something on Trump and yet Collins like all the other opinion writers are unwilling to just say it: Trump is in Putin's pocket!
Mueller is moving quickly and his investigation will show what Trump's trying to hide. Let's hope it happens before Trump can take us into a devastating war.
Mueller is moving quickly and his investigation will show what Trump's trying to hide. Let's hope it happens before Trump can take us into a devastating war.
53
You can hide behind an alias. Collins cannot.
1
Donald is a real estate businessman and a media personality. He's not aware that he's been promoted to a new level and its handling this as he handled wrestling on TV, and he reduces every to that level. The level of the stunts he knows. Learning is not what he does. The situation we are in is his fault, because he is unable to tell the difference between reality TV and reality. It's also the fault of who voted for him, and his enablers around the country.
29
Most of all, I blame the gutless GOP for letting Trump walk all over them during the primaries.
2
1) New Orleans is a disaster right now. What is the President saying or doing about it?
2) Donald Trump is in his element -- hanging out at his golf club for three weeks with his sporting buddies, eating burgers and occasionally taking his 19th hole braggadocio out to the microphones. He can impress the members of his golf club with how important he is. Can't do that when he's back at that dump in D.C.
3) There's no Mrs. Trump in evidence, or young Master Trump, to offer some home life for the President. He's surrounded by sycophants 24/7, who want to impress him, and whom he wants to impress. We are living through a non-stop Trump therapy session.
4) There's rain expected tonight and tomorrow in Bedminster. Thus, Trump will have ample time to tweet and make mischief when he can't relieve his tensions with his golf clubs.
5) Someone should tell him that a gentleman does not wear his baseball cap indoors.
2) Donald Trump is in his element -- hanging out at his golf club for three weeks with his sporting buddies, eating burgers and occasionally taking his 19th hole braggadocio out to the microphones. He can impress the members of his golf club with how important he is. Can't do that when he's back at that dump in D.C.
3) There's no Mrs. Trump in evidence, or young Master Trump, to offer some home life for the President. He's surrounded by sycophants 24/7, who want to impress him, and whom he wants to impress. We are living through a non-stop Trump therapy session.
4) There's rain expected tonight and tomorrow in Bedminster. Thus, Trump will have ample time to tweet and make mischief when he can't relieve his tensions with his golf clubs.
5) Someone should tell him that a gentleman does not wear his baseball cap indoors.
88
5a) He's not a gentleman, and he was having a "bad hair day".
2
I'll bet he cheats at golf.
2
Trump's comment on the expulsion of 755 diplomats from Russia is proof of his belief he's the King of the United States; he alone can decide if we need a diplomatic mission at work in Moscow and other cities. Threatening North Korea with nuclear destruction is also his decision made without consultation with the military. The Republican Party is responsible for this madman. Congress must start impeachment proceedings before a Trump mushroom cloud drifts across the Pacific to sicken everyone in its path.
34
So at best, Trump is a kind of bizarro Hunter S. Thompson, who wants to shoot off cannons if at all possible, because cannons are very cool, let's just get that straight. Have you ever done research on ratings of shows with cannons vs shows without cannons? I have. It's no contest. Cannons.
To be honest, if this thesis is correct, I think Trump is more complicated to boot.
He is our first Warholian president, too: i.e., our first pure mirror president who simply reflects our surfaces back to us. (that would explain the ratings...). Hunter S. Thompson was, ultimately, pretty cryptic and reclusive; the Donald is Hunter obsessed with getting YOU to notice Him.
Just still sounds like a pretty toxic situation we are in, no matter how you cross-reference it.
To be honest, if this thesis is correct, I think Trump is more complicated to boot.
He is our first Warholian president, too: i.e., our first pure mirror president who simply reflects our surfaces back to us. (that would explain the ratings...). Hunter S. Thompson was, ultimately, pretty cryptic and reclusive; the Donald is Hunter obsessed with getting YOU to notice Him.
Just still sounds like a pretty toxic situation we are in, no matter how you cross-reference it.
10
This presidency never should have happened. If we survive this round of madman ranting and distraction from the real issues, please, let the legislatures of every state with a conscience vote to neutralize the electoral college so it can never again be used to override and annul the popular vote and hand power to those who least deserve it. Go to http://www.nationalpopularvote.com/ and read what can be done for the people of the future, if there is to be a future.
22
This is serious. The fact that this sick, self absorbed toddler has the fate of the world in his hands is nuts. And we're nuts to not be doing everything we can to get him out of the presidency.
43
In order to get Archbishop Pence in the top spot? Yes Gail, there are nightmares.
"Stick it in the irony drawer." We have a "Junk Drawer" in our kitchen - doesn't everybody have one of those? Put it in there.
11
If I could only give you 10 thumbs up!
Trump reminds me very much of the blowfish we thought it was amusing to bounce on the docks at Montauk. Rankled just a bit, the silly things would puff up to give the appearance of size and importance. They even had the same lips as the Dear Orange Leader.
As the dearly missed Kurt Vonnegut would say: "so it goes..."
As the dearly missed Kurt Vonnegut would say: "so it goes..."
11
Trump's North Korea talk - distraction from the Russian investigation?
25
BINGO!
1
all sizzle and no steak.
in the real world, he kowtowed to Putin.
7
I'm equally bothered by
1. Trump's loudmouth blathering.
2. Equaled only by his lack of meaningful action to actually improve things.
3. His followers can't tell the difference between talking and doing.
1. Trump's loudmouth blathering.
2. Equaled only by his lack of meaningful action to actually improve things.
3. His followers can't tell the difference between talking and doing.
27
There is an old adage, which I have on a laminated piece of paper on my desk at work. It says:
"You don't have to explain what you don't say."
To wit: Think about how frighteningly "effective" Dick Cheney was in doing what he wanted during Bush II. Many felt that he essentially ran the White House, especially on foreign policy. He didn't want people knowing what he was doing. He didn't care about his "brand" or how many "followers" he had. It was difficult to know exactly what he was doing or what his role was because that was exactly the way he wanted it. He didn't have to explain what he didn't say.
As opposed to Cheney, Trump's use of Twitter has adversely impacted his ability to be successful. Look at North Korea: He has publicly backed into a corner a ruthless man-child whose only goal is to keep himself in power. Trump could have easily used our existing diplomatic back channels to tell Kim "Look, if you do anything near Guam or any other US territory or ally, we will bomb you back to the Stone Age." Then Kim could have backed down without public humiliation. But not now--Trump's need to self-aggrandize and look like a tough guy in public has eliminated that option.
I hate to say it, but Dick Cheney would be a good role model for Trump.
"You don't have to explain what you don't say."
To wit: Think about how frighteningly "effective" Dick Cheney was in doing what he wanted during Bush II. Many felt that he essentially ran the White House, especially on foreign policy. He didn't want people knowing what he was doing. He didn't care about his "brand" or how many "followers" he had. It was difficult to know exactly what he was doing or what his role was because that was exactly the way he wanted it. He didn't have to explain what he didn't say.
As opposed to Cheney, Trump's use of Twitter has adversely impacted his ability to be successful. Look at North Korea: He has publicly backed into a corner a ruthless man-child whose only goal is to keep himself in power. Trump could have easily used our existing diplomatic back channels to tell Kim "Look, if you do anything near Guam or any other US territory or ally, we will bomb you back to the Stone Age." Then Kim could have backed down without public humiliation. But not now--Trump's need to self-aggrandize and look like a tough guy in public has eliminated that option.
I hate to say it, but Dick Cheney would be a good role model for Trump.
6
Has it come to THAT?
6
Thanks once again, Gail. As my heart breaks every week into smaller pieces, I worry that this administration has done irreversible damage, you manage to touch me and assure me I'm not alone.
In days of despair, your editorials lighten my gloom.
My hope is that one day we can all laugh even harder about these times.
In days of despair, your editorials lighten my gloom.
My hope is that one day we can all laugh even harder about these times.
13
Trump displays American exceptionalism by being "tough." "Tough" is measured by his willingness to reign nuclear fire on Korea. That fire is from the burning of tens of thousands of childrens' bodies, along with their mothers and families.
My America taught me that "tough" was when a parent, at cost, lives up to his ethics and sacrifices and subordinates his interests for those of his children, family and country. How is it "tough"to kill or threaten to kill others' children? What monsters admire this? My fellow citizens?
A good negotiator may back up and push his opponent but the direction should be toward the goal the good negotiator wishes. Pushing and ridiculing to foment a fight is only sadistic. In this case, the sadist is safely miles away and thousands of times stronger than his victim. Tough indeed–
I think we can assume Kim does not wish to invade and and establish a beachhead in California. He wishes to secure his regime. He has learned from "W." that if he does not have nukes the US is willing to start a war to end him. See Saddam and Gaddafi.
An Asian version of NATO in which Korea, China and Japan commit that a strike against any of them would commit the others to their mutual defense might give Kim the security he requires to begin a path toward a safer world. China could realize its goal of maintaining a divided peninsula and a safer Kim can roll back some of his threat in exchange for reduced sanctions. A deal is possible.
My America taught me that "tough" was when a parent, at cost, lives up to his ethics and sacrifices and subordinates his interests for those of his children, family and country. How is it "tough"to kill or threaten to kill others' children? What monsters admire this? My fellow citizens?
A good negotiator may back up and push his opponent but the direction should be toward the goal the good negotiator wishes. Pushing and ridiculing to foment a fight is only sadistic. In this case, the sadist is safely miles away and thousands of times stronger than his victim. Tough indeed–
I think we can assume Kim does not wish to invade and and establish a beachhead in California. He wishes to secure his regime. He has learned from "W." that if he does not have nukes the US is willing to start a war to end him. See Saddam and Gaddafi.
An Asian version of NATO in which Korea, China and Japan commit that a strike against any of them would commit the others to their mutual defense might give Kim the security he requires to begin a path toward a safer world. China could realize its goal of maintaining a divided peninsula and a safer Kim can roll back some of his threat in exchange for reduced sanctions. A deal is possible.
8
Wishing will make it so. Let a crazy Kim threaten the world with his nukes. Sorry the time to stop him is now......tomorrow he gets stronger and even more belligerant.
The idea of four years of this kind of turmoil is too much to contemplate. I think the 25th amendment has a process for removing the president from office. Trump is certainly unfit. More like insane. Now that he's picked a fight with Mitch McConnell, this may move the congressional leadership to truly have an accomplishment they can be truly proud of. Remove Donald Trump from office before he starts a nuclear war.
15
When Trump indulges in sarcasm or his version of humor on domestic issues, he debases the high office he holds. When, on the other hand, he resorts to such language in comments directed at a potentially dangerous adversary like North Korea, he endangers the safety of the American people.
If Americans cannot determine whether Trump seriously means to threaten Kim with nuclear annihilation, how can the Korean dictator, shaped by a different culture and apparently paranoid, analyze the president's intentions? A miscalculation on his part could plunge America and North Korea into a nuclear exchange that would devastate both countries, plus South Korea and perhaps Japan.
Trump's inability or unwillingness to grasp this vital point, which his advisers have surely attempted to explain, reinforces the conclusion that he lacks the maturity and the patience to fulfill his duties responsibly.
If Americans cannot determine whether Trump seriously means to threaten Kim with nuclear annihilation, how can the Korean dictator, shaped by a different culture and apparently paranoid, analyze the president's intentions? A miscalculation on his part could plunge America and North Korea into a nuclear exchange that would devastate both countries, plus South Korea and perhaps Japan.
Trump's inability or unwillingness to grasp this vital point, which his advisers have surely attempted to explain, reinforces the conclusion that he lacks the maturity and the patience to fulfill his duties responsibly.
11
And I suppose if we allow the North Korea crazies to get greater nuclear expertise we would all feel a lot safer. Sort of the Neville Chamberlin strategy huh.
1
Right after Republicans in the House passed their version of mean health care reform, they had a little shindig at the White House. There was Trump saying, "Can you believe it? I'm president." Personally, I'm still having trouble believing it, yet here he is spouting whatever nonsense pops into his head at these press briefings.
We know Trump had no idea what he was going to say before these briefings. Somebody asks a question about North Korea, and the greatest president in history (his words, not mine) suggests, like I did when I was in third grade, that if Kim Jong-un doesn't stop what he's doing, Trump is going to beat him up like nobody ever has before.
I keep thinking, who says these kinds of things? Then I remember it's Trump, who is no more qualified to be president than my 3rd grade granddaughter. Then he suggests that we use our military in Venezuela as well. That's the first I have heard of that. What a group, Kim, Trump, and Maduro, three peas in a pod. How much longer must we endure this?
We know Trump had no idea what he was going to say before these briefings. Somebody asks a question about North Korea, and the greatest president in history (his words, not mine) suggests, like I did when I was in third grade, that if Kim Jong-un doesn't stop what he's doing, Trump is going to beat him up like nobody ever has before.
I keep thinking, who says these kinds of things? Then I remember it's Trump, who is no more qualified to be president than my 3rd grade granddaughter. Then he suggests that we use our military in Venezuela as well. That's the first I have heard of that. What a group, Kim, Trump, and Maduro, three peas in a pod. How much longer must we endure this?
9
I am quite sure that your third grade granddaughter would make a better President. Yes, she would have had family involved, but, judging from your comment, a more public- spirited family.
And many of her Cabinet appointments would have beèn better too.
And many of her Cabinet appointments would have beèn better too.
5
“I’m not sure that anybody’s done what we’ve done in a six-month period.”
That's why we're hiding under the covers.
That's why we're hiding under the covers.
19
Since when have our expelled diplomats automatically been fired from their jobs in the State Department? The answer is Since Never. There's no reduction in payroll. Can't this guy ever tell the truth?
And no wonder the Venezuelans hate this country. Their Miss America probably had some unfortunate encounter with Trump back stage.
As for the Secretary of State expecting us to sleep well, that's a no-brainer. Since election day last November, most of us are probably drinking ourselves to sleep.
And no wonder the Venezuelans hate this country. Their Miss America probably had some unfortunate encounter with Trump back stage.
As for the Secretary of State expecting us to sleep well, that's a no-brainer. Since election day last November, most of us are probably drinking ourselves to sleep.
12
Interesting point ... even if he was "joking" he reveals much about his own thought processes here - as IF Russia could fire U.S. government employees!
Can we maybe just ask Putin to fire Trump? Trump would apparently just say "Okay thanks" and go away then.
Can we maybe just ask Putin to fire Trump? Trump would apparently just say "Okay thanks" and go away then.
4
Is it just me, or is there anybody else out there wondering why the 25th amendment is just lying there on a dust covered shelf waiting to be used.Surely I am not alone in realizing this grotesque man is completely out of his mind. How can it be possible that the people who are in office, and responsible for our security are not doing everything in their power to remove such a dangerous individual ? The very thought that this man with the serious mental deficiencies that he has, has control over our nuclear arsenal is outrageous.
Is there no one there with the guts, and integrity to begin the process of removal, and replacement ?
Is there no one there with the guts, and integrity to begin the process of removal, and replacement ?
17
You are certainly not the only one with this line of thought. Every 5 minutes I'm asking myself, "How much longer?"
1
Mueller will find something in a checkbook register. Like billions that don't belong somewhere that someone "forgot." Then it's the Mike Pence Show. But first a word from Monsanto.
2
Ms. Collins, you warned your readership about the perils of tweeting nearly a decade ago. A prominent General had to resign because he was tired and did not want to attend a ceremonial Paris Black-Tie event, and expressed to his inner circle that he would just like to hang out for a change. Unfortunately, in this technological revolution, word spread faster than a crepe suzette blend in a frying-pan, and it was with regret that President Obama had to accept his resignation.
We have come a long way since then with the tweeting, and I still feel sorry for Trump but more concerned about the welfare of my Country. The recurring image that comes to mind with the tough talk, laced with a hint of desperation, is that of King Kong pounding his chest. He leaves a lot of damage in his way in expressing his view that all blondes are not the same.
There is a concept that North Korea was just going to show its arms at some point, and it is probably one of the reasons we went off to Iraq to take care of weapons of mass destruction. This American voted to rebuild and restore our Nation after a global recession and two wars. We are not out-of-the woods yet, but lost, we are dragging our heels and choosing to live dangerously on the edge.
Nobody's perfect, but I just want a President. Gender, complexion, religion not important but a person who inspires stability, brightness and hope. A willingness for We The People to Unite and be at Our Best.
We have come a long way since then with the tweeting, and I still feel sorry for Trump but more concerned about the welfare of my Country. The recurring image that comes to mind with the tough talk, laced with a hint of desperation, is that of King Kong pounding his chest. He leaves a lot of damage in his way in expressing his view that all blondes are not the same.
There is a concept that North Korea was just going to show its arms at some point, and it is probably one of the reasons we went off to Iraq to take care of weapons of mass destruction. This American voted to rebuild and restore our Nation after a global recession and two wars. We are not out-of-the woods yet, but lost, we are dragging our heels and choosing to live dangerously on the edge.
Nobody's perfect, but I just want a President. Gender, complexion, religion not important but a person who inspires stability, brightness and hope. A willingness for We The People to Unite and be at Our Best.
3
I understand Trump is guaranteeing more tourists going to Guam. It's all a game to him. Or a possibility of a new hotel.
3
It is quite clear that our so-called president has never been in the military or been in a shooting war. He should ask those that have been if we should go to war. Or at the very least, watch that old move "Dr. Strangelove". That movie makes more sense than does our Fearless Leader.
6
I doubt he'd understand Dr. Strangelove. It's too sophisticated for his intelligence level.
Is it possible that the comment, "...they found him less crazy than the public version." is another way of saying, "Suzie isn't so bad, we think she's a little less pregnant than it looks." Just what is the definition of "less crazy"?
3
Wait a minute. How can he say we're "locked and loaded" when he hasn't weeded out the transgenders in the military yet? How does he know some of "them" won't be piloting the bombers he plans to send over North Korea to stage his "fire and fury" light show?
3
“People who’ve dealt with the private Trump often say they found him less crazy than the public version.”
Let’s mark our calendars. At last, Donald Trump receives a ringing endorsement from Gail Collins.
She is somewhat more than generous than most of us.
Let’s mark our calendars. At last, Donald Trump receives a ringing endorsement from Gail Collins.
She is somewhat more than generous than most of us.
There's a worse scenario and a worst scenario - there's no half-way good scenario
The worst -- Trump and Kim talk themselves into all-out war, with hundreds of thousands or even millions of casualties -- and they are not among them!
Worse, i.e. less than worst: Kim backs down, and braggart Trump chalks it up to his great negotiating skills and gets even more popular with his base. How can one not wish for this scenario considering the worst scenario.
So: the way it looks from Berlin, which has been through it all, is that we have to wish that one of the two monsters climbs down.
Where to turn?
The worst -- Trump and Kim talk themselves into all-out war, with hundreds of thousands or even millions of casualties -- and they are not among them!
Worse, i.e. less than worst: Kim backs down, and braggart Trump chalks it up to his great negotiating skills and gets even more popular with his base. How can one not wish for this scenario considering the worst scenario.
So: the way it looks from Berlin, which has been through it all, is that we have to wish that one of the two monsters climbs down.
Where to turn?
4
Let's hope Trump has the Nerf football version of the nuclear codes in that briefcase and someone else with a brain has the real ones. Trump's saber rattling while riding around on a golf cart and tweeting is surreal. And then he whines and disses former US Presidents and thanks Russian dictator Putin for expelling our diplomats.
Mueller must be closing in on something big with this much Sound and Fury.
Mueller must be closing in on something big with this much Sound and Fury.
10
---“maybe it wasn’t tough enough.” Followed by “maybe that statement wasn’t tough enough” and “if anything, that statement may not be tough enough.” This was all within 30 seconds. There seems to be a theme.---
Our President appears unable to assess how he is being received; unable, even, to pay attention to his own words and their redundancy from one sentence to the next. When tasked with getting his oratory right in the face of a frightening nuclear threat he himself helped to create, we should be very I'm worried about that.
Our President appears unable to assess how he is being received; unable, even, to pay attention to his own words and their redundancy from one sentence to the next. When tasked with getting his oratory right in the face of a frightening nuclear threat he himself helped to create, we should be very I'm worried about that.
5
It's not good when the most positive thing many express is that no one takes the President of the United States seriously anyway.
Brave Trump bluffed and folded like hotcakes.
Brave Trump bluffed and folded like hotcakes.
3
I agree with this squatter in the Oval Office that he's done something no other President has managed to do He's shown us the flaws in how we allow a person to become Leader of the Free World and he's shown us how honorable the 44 people who came before him actually were, even Nixon.
We must plug this hole. The President must be vetted or at least given a more rigorous bar than a kid at the local McDonalds who has to take a drug test and have a background check to get his job.
I say this every comment but something must be done. This cannot go on.
We must plug this hole. The President must be vetted or at least given a more rigorous bar than a kid at the local McDonalds who has to take a drug test and have a background check to get his job.
I say this every comment but something must be done. This cannot go on.
14
'Secretary of State Rex Tillerson tried to soothe the country, saying, “Americans should sleep well at night.” He did not mention whether there would be nightmares.'
Here in Honolulu, we'd be lucky to even have nightmares.
Here in Honolulu, we'd be lucky to even have nightmares.
1
• “But I talk,” our president said, unnecessarily.
“I am a whiner, and I keep whining and whining until I win,” he once said. Will his Spoiled Brat mode succeed with North Korea?
Now Trump agrees that his response to Putin's action is mere sarcasm. Is that it, then? Does he have any _other_ response?
It's a pity he backed out of playing the president in “Sharknado 3.” That would have been so much better suited to his abilities.
“I am a whiner, and I keep whining and whining until I win,” he once said. Will his Spoiled Brat mode succeed with North Korea?
Now Trump agrees that his response to Putin's action is mere sarcasm. Is that it, then? Does he have any _other_ response?
It's a pity he backed out of playing the president in “Sharknado 3.” That would have been so much better suited to his abilities.
3
Like a cross between Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies, and Team America, World Police. As soon as the light in the bedroom went out there was a stirring and a fluttering all through the farm buildings. Word had gone round during the day that old Donald, the prize Middle White boar, had had a strange dream on the previous night and wished to communicate it to the other animals.
4
the Trump Nightmare....its unfortunately a serial on day 204 ...produced by the GOP, directed by the one and only Donald Tower Trump...but empowered by the self-righteous and terrifying Trump voter.
6
Well another thrilling week of watching Trumpolini sink deeper into his Sloth of Despond. Fortunately no one seems to have been killed.
We have kicked the can down the road for decades now about N. Korea. Clinton tried diplomacy and ultimately failed. 'W' was too busy selling the quagmire in Iraq to want to worry overmuch about the situation. Poor President Obama had a big mess to clean up in all our foreign relations due to his predecessor's ability to PO just about everyone. Now it has come to this.
Trumpolini may actually believe he can pull off the Madman strategy but brinkmanship has a funny way of biting you on the behind. Now is the time for all those generals to take him in hand. Let's hope they are successful.
We have kicked the can down the road for decades now about N. Korea. Clinton tried diplomacy and ultimately failed. 'W' was too busy selling the quagmire in Iraq to want to worry overmuch about the situation. Poor President Obama had a big mess to clean up in all our foreign relations due to his predecessor's ability to PO just about everyone. Now it has come to this.
Trumpolini may actually believe he can pull off the Madman strategy but brinkmanship has a funny way of biting you on the behind. Now is the time for all those generals to take him in hand. Let's hope they are successful.
9
This leader's remarks catapult from a sincere identification of an actual problem to prideful posturing that promises a dangerous or damaging response.
For a contrasting example of sober, responsible rhetoric, consider the following scene from Calvin Trillin's reporting on Dr. King (reprinted in the New Yorker series Eighty-Five from the Archive). In a conversation on an airplane, a casual presumption was met by a noble response:
"... I think you are causing violence,” the young man said.
“Would you condemn the robbed man for possessing the money to be robbed?” asked King. “Would you condemn Christ for having a commitment to truth that drove men to crucify him? Would you condemn Socrates for having the views that forced the hemlock on him? Society must condemn the robber, not the man he robs.”
For a contrasting example of sober, responsible rhetoric, consider the following scene from Calvin Trillin's reporting on Dr. King (reprinted in the New Yorker series Eighty-Five from the Archive). In a conversation on an airplane, a casual presumption was met by a noble response:
"... I think you are causing violence,” the young man said.
“Would you condemn the robbed man for possessing the money to be robbed?” asked King. “Would you condemn Christ for having a commitment to truth that drove men to crucify him? Would you condemn Socrates for having the views that forced the hemlock on him? Society must condemn the robber, not the man he robs.”
2
Maybe this this guy is doing the best he can. Maybe he has already given us his best shot. Maybe nuclear confrontation is where he has been headed all along. After all, a man who sees himself as "grand" in the scale of his personality requires an instrument equally grand and large---what better than a rocket with an atomic bomb attached to it?
He cannot read, he will not think and he has no sense of "other." We have elected Huckleberry Finn President. Nothing is proactive. Everything is reactive.
There is no history except that which he writes with his behavior. So many of us, probably the majority, know how destructive he is. We are stuck with this contemptible man and the members of his own party best positioned to remove him take no steps toward impeachment---and I thought Richard Nixon was bad.
Boy, how things come to scale if you live long enough.
He cannot read, he will not think and he has no sense of "other." We have elected Huckleberry Finn President. Nothing is proactive. Everything is reactive.
There is no history except that which he writes with his behavior. So many of us, probably the majority, know how destructive he is. We are stuck with this contemptible man and the members of his own party best positioned to remove him take no steps toward impeachment---and I thought Richard Nixon was bad.
Boy, how things come to scale if you live long enough.
6
Thank you Gail. Any humor, from anyone, anywhere, and anytime is sorely needed now on North Korea and Trump. I too am hoping that Trump's all hat and no cattle, otherwise the untthinkable happens.
4
Please Mr. Mueller, speed up your investigation. The world may depend on it.
10
re: jas2200
"The wheels of justice turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine."
Patience. Better to have done it well than to botch the process in haste. We don't want four more years now, do we?
"The wheels of justice turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine."
Patience. Better to have done it well than to botch the process in haste. We don't want four more years now, do we?
2
So this is what we’re down to: Hoping Trump is “less crazy” than he appears, the alternatives being “as crazy” and “more crazy.”
I know, I know.
I know, I know.
7
Nixon's "madman theory" was no theory.
4
The hate many NYTs readers have for President Trump is making them smaller as individuals with every insult they pen. Here is an American President who is finally on the ball when it comes to the North Korean threat unlike most of his predecessors. He has now addressed something that should have been dealt with years ago. The US has again been threatened with attack by the North Koreans and if you think striking a liberal pose loaded with bombast will alleviate that threat you are the ones badly mistaken not Trump.
1
"On the ball?" Trump is an American president who is being unnecessarily aggressive in his rhetoric and as a result is painting himself in a corner when it comes to military action. The result may well be a catastrophic war, resulting in hundreds of thousands of casualties. That's something that all of his predecessors managed to avoid.
8
Finally, a NY Times commenter who sees Trump as someone who is not "badly mistaken." All of these NY Times commenting just don't get it that Trump is Superman, a tough son of a gun who will, with nothing more than his tweets and statements will make N. Korea, Venezuela, Mexico, NATO, and others realize that he is all powerful and their interests will be served best by paying attention to his daily tweets and pronouncements.
5
It's not hatred, it's contempt, and that goes for his supporters too. The following may make me "small", but since you are so offended by "insults", here goes: Trump is an over-privileged twit, a draft-dodging coward, a loud-mouthed bully, a thin-skinned egomaniac, an habitual liar, an unread, ill-educated ignoramus, and, if you want one more diagnosis, a grossly out-of-shape slob.
6
'Secretary of State Rex Tillerson tried to soothe the country, saying, “Americans should sleep well at night.” He did not mention whether there would be nightmares.'
4
"Speak loudly, and carry a small feather duster."
Yeah, say what you want about Trump, but just look at his ratings!
Yeah, say what you want about Trump, but just look at his ratings!
2
And now he's talking about military intervention in Venezuela.
We are having a very contentious debate in Australia about same-sex marriage. Can we expect that he will threaten to intervene militarily here if we can't sort it out to his satisfaction?!
What sort of maniac have you (Americans) inflicted not just on yourselves but on all inhabitants of this planet?
We are having a very contentious debate in Australia about same-sex marriage. Can we expect that he will threaten to intervene militarily here if we can't sort it out to his satisfaction?!
What sort of maniac have you (Americans) inflicted not just on yourselves but on all inhabitants of this planet?
9
The artful use of voter suppression and gerrymandering allowed a minority of Americans to choose this maniac. The majority of us are just as appalled and anxious as you are.
5
I fear Trump has as little regard for the millions of potential casualties in a Korean conflict as he does for the millions of Americans whose health care he has sabotaged.
25
Who knew the domino theory would apply not only internationally but also to domestic politics? The world's most basic institution's are falling as the President brags about how much he has destroyed in six months! (More than any President ever!)
Begin with global healthcare for women, attacked by cutting funds for family planning which will increase both abortions and deaths for the world's poorest women unable to obtain birth control or health exams. The next domino is funds for HIV treatment—but many Americans ask, why should US tax dollars help people whose behavior was irresponsible despite George Bush having started the program? Because tax dollars are more important than guns; they pay a return on spending. The Capex of foreign aid protects markets and peace that amplify America's greatness!
At home, the dominoes topple! Trump insists Congress pass a bill to deny health coverage for 16 million Americans and raise premiums—he wants that win on his greatness plate! Will it save money? A concern we discovered when he co-signed the killing of 700+ good American jobs by a foreign power recently winning over America? No, the money will be given gratis to another group winning over America despite a decade of bad deals on income and housing—the rich. They are fleecing us! And since winning, in the amazing six months, Trump has done nothing to stop the grab. You would think they can do anything they want!
Begin with global healthcare for women, attacked by cutting funds for family planning which will increase both abortions and deaths for the world's poorest women unable to obtain birth control or health exams. The next domino is funds for HIV treatment—but many Americans ask, why should US tax dollars help people whose behavior was irresponsible despite George Bush having started the program? Because tax dollars are more important than guns; they pay a return on spending. The Capex of foreign aid protects markets and peace that amplify America's greatness!
At home, the dominoes topple! Trump insists Congress pass a bill to deny health coverage for 16 million Americans and raise premiums—he wants that win on his greatness plate! Will it save money? A concern we discovered when he co-signed the killing of 700+ good American jobs by a foreign power recently winning over America? No, the money will be given gratis to another group winning over America despite a decade of bad deals on income and housing—the rich. They are fleecing us! And since winning, in the amazing six months, Trump has done nothing to stop the grab. You would think they can do anything they want!
14
Let us not forget the ugliness of the last six months!
This NRA video ad: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH9EHEuBibY].
This NSA memo on cultural Marxists, Islamists, and the deep state: [http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/08/10/heres-the-memo-that-blew-up-the-nsc/]
These transcripts of Presidential conversations: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/politics/australia-mexico-t...].
Have fun with the horror!
This NRA video ad: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH9EHEuBibY].
This NSA memo on cultural Marxists, Islamists, and the deep state: [http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/08/10/heres-the-memo-that-blew-up-the-nsc/]
These transcripts of Presidential conversations: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/politics/australia-mexico-t...].
Have fun with the horror!
5
It goes without saying that the President should work out a script with his generals and then stick to it. Loose lips sink ships as they used to say in WW2.
Talking about a military option for Venezuela is also a bad idea. Venezuela should be left to rot. It is a fine example of the consequences of socialism.
Talking about a military option for Venezuela is also a bad idea. Venezuela should be left to rot. It is a fine example of the consequences of socialism.
5
Actually, Venezuela is a fine example of a dictatorship--first that egomaniac Chavez and now Maduro--and complete over reliance on oil revenues. The fact that many of their policies tended toward the left end of the spectrum was the tail on the dog, because there was no democratic accountability. These two clowns could not and, with recent changes, cannot be voted out. Madura is now being propped up by the military, or what's left of it. The situation is exactly like some of the strongmen in Africa and the Middle East. The problem is the political system (or lack of one), not the political philosophy.
8
Of corrupt socialism.
4
Venezuela is a fine example of the "resource curse."
2
When Richard Nixon's behavior became increasingly aberrant toward the end of his presidency, Secretary of Defense, James Schlesinger, allegedly told the Joint Chiefs not to obey any order to use military force from Richard Nixon, without Schlesinger's signature. Donald Trump's increasingly jingoistic, and reckless, spur of the moment bombasts about North Korea, raise existential questions about whether Trump has the temperamental fitness and psychological stability to make what are always the ultimate Presidential decisions, going to war or the use of nuclear weapons. The potential for a catastrophic conflagration on the Korean Peninsula, involving perhaps millions of casualties hangs in the balance. Hopefully, there is tacit understanding between the experienced, rational, James Mattis, and the current Joint Chiefs, which mirrors the Schlesinger-Nixon paradigm.
49
@DON SHIPP: As I wrote in a published comment, well placed sources indicate that pourparlers between North Korean diplomats and our side have been going on for months, endeavoring to work out a modus vivendi between the two nations, and the ultimate outcome will be a tamping down of the heated rhetoric of the present moment. North Korean leaders want a place in the sun, to be taken seriously by the world, and if a nuclear arsenal and swaggering on the world stage is the only way to achieve this, "ainsi soit il!"Don't be surprised to see a"detente" following the present war of words, reciprocal cultural agreements worked out and scholars from the only Stalinist dictatorship left in the world coming to study here in the US, and our folks going there to study.Average South Korean does not appear to take the present "stand off" all that seriously, and they are next door.CNN may want to rev this up for the sake of ratings and its profit margin, but when were its pundits right about anything, above all the presidential election? Gerry Adams and Tim Mcguiness,top echelon of the Real IRA never stopped communicating with Whitehall throughout The Troubles in N.Ireland, and negotiations between the Algerian nationalist FLN and successive French governments going back to Pierre Mendes France and Guy Mollet were a fact of political life before De Gaulle came to power in 1958 to negotiate an end to France's final colonial war in 1962.
3
From your pen to the defense secretary's ears. Hopefully not to his pen.
A missle test on Guam is NOT an attack.
A missle test on Guam is NOT an attack.
1
Trump and Kim Jong Un are brothers from another mother.
Trump's mastery of cliche is second to none. While he has not studied history, he does appear to have learned that starting a war distracts. His financial chicanery and dependence on Putin's oligarch's (Deutschebank shenanigans made to order) is about to come to light. What else can he do, but create fear and loathing and wreck the planet?
What choice does he have? He's a mental dodo, backed into a corner.
we will all go together when we go.
What a comforting fact that is to know.
Universal bereavement,
An inspiring achievement,
...
We will all go together when we go.
All suffused with an incandescent glow.
...
Oh we will all fry together when we fry.
We'll be french fried potatoes by and by.
There will be no more misery
When the world is our rotisserie,
Yes, we will all fry together when we fry.
....
With complete participation
In that grand incineration,
Nearly three billion hunks of well-done steak.
....
Just sing out a te deum
When you see that I.c.b.m.,
And the party will be "come as you are."
Oh we will all burn together when we burn.
There'll be no need to stand and wait your turn.
When it's time for the fallout
And saint peter calls us all out,
We'll just drop our agendas and adjourn.
....
When the air becomes uranious,
And we will all go simultaneous.
Yes we all will go together when we go.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frAEmhqdLFs
Trump's mastery of cliche is second to none. While he has not studied history, he does appear to have learned that starting a war distracts. His financial chicanery and dependence on Putin's oligarch's (Deutschebank shenanigans made to order) is about to come to light. What else can he do, but create fear and loathing and wreck the planet?
What choice does he have? He's a mental dodo, backed into a corner.
we will all go together when we go.
What a comforting fact that is to know.
Universal bereavement,
An inspiring achievement,
...
We will all go together when we go.
All suffused with an incandescent glow.
...
Oh we will all fry together when we fry.
We'll be french fried potatoes by and by.
There will be no more misery
When the world is our rotisserie,
Yes, we will all fry together when we fry.
....
With complete participation
In that grand incineration,
Nearly three billion hunks of well-done steak.
....
Just sing out a te deum
When you see that I.c.b.m.,
And the party will be "come as you are."
Oh we will all burn together when we burn.
There'll be no need to stand and wait your turn.
When it's time for the fallout
And saint peter calls us all out,
We'll just drop our agendas and adjourn.
....
When the air becomes uranious,
And we will all go simultaneous.
Yes we all will go together when we go.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frAEmhqdLFs
28
Sorry, character limit. I stole as much of that as I could fit from Tom Lehrer, who sings it at the link. He has three songs about the bomb. this one, Who's next ("Egypt's gonna get one too / Just to use on you know who / So Israel's getting tense / Once when in self defense / The lord's our shepherd says the psalm / but just in case / We gotta get a bomb?) and So Long Mom, I'm Off to Drop the Bomb (so don't wait up for me / But while you swelter / Down there in your shelter / you can see me / on your TV / ... I'll look for you when the war is over / An hour and a half from now")
Sometimes black humor is the only way to endure. Dogged endurance is the way to go these days.
Sometimes black humor is the only way to endure. Dogged endurance is the way to go these days.
29
But some of us may go earlier:
'You cannot face it steadily, but this thing is sure,
That time is no healer; the patient is no longer here,
When the train starts, and the passengers are settled
To fruit, periodicals and business letters
(And those who saw them off have left the platform)
Their faces relax from grief into relief,
To the sleepy rhythm of a hundred hours.
Fare forward, travellers! Not escaping from the Past
Into different lives, or into any future'. (The Dry Salvages)
This president shows no signs of rolling up his sleeves and inviting us to get our act together. Let us remember our Korean Community at this time in America who is part of the fabric of our Nation. They have family and friends at home caught in this double whammy.
It sounds as if Trump is under the thumb of Putin. America shudders at times, but this President is on his way to becoming our biggest obstacle to get in motion. If we can find a big pacifier for him and get him to put his nuclear threats to rest, talk less and take some constructive action, we might be able to put aside some of our fears with respect to the stability and sense of his heart and soul.
'You cannot face it steadily, but this thing is sure,
That time is no healer; the patient is no longer here,
When the train starts, and the passengers are settled
To fruit, periodicals and business letters
(And those who saw them off have left the platform)
Their faces relax from grief into relief,
To the sleepy rhythm of a hundred hours.
Fare forward, travellers! Not escaping from the Past
Into different lives, or into any future'. (The Dry Salvages)
This president shows no signs of rolling up his sleeves and inviting us to get our act together. Let us remember our Korean Community at this time in America who is part of the fabric of our Nation. They have family and friends at home caught in this double whammy.
It sounds as if Trump is under the thumb of Putin. America shudders at times, but this President is on his way to becoming our biggest obstacle to get in motion. If we can find a big pacifier for him and get him to put his nuclear threats to rest, talk less and take some constructive action, we might be able to put aside some of our fears with respect to the stability and sense of his heart and soul.
3
Given Trump's most recent poll numbers, one cannot help but wonder if we aren't watching "Celebrity Apprentice Meets Wag the Dog." Just with a deadly new twist: in this case the war would be real. And the president in question would have even less foresight or conscience about the consequences.
31
"Upping the ante, he also bragged that “very few presidents have done what we’ve done in a six-month period.”"
Never were truer words ever spoken. Not so much in heft or changes helping all Americans but in devastating impact. In the annals of history, Donald Trump will be number one: in scandals (Russia), ineffectiveness (healthcare), vindictiveness (Hillary Clinton, Mitch McConnell, Jeff Sessions) and pettiness (cracking down on DACA immigrants who expected clemency, Scott Pruitt, Betsy DeVos).
But he may be exceeding even those actions by making sure the world can't sleep, Rex Tillerson notwithstanding.
Donald Trump campaigned against stupid wars as well as needless wars, ineffective wars, endless wars. And yet, this man so taken with military might (typical of men who evaded the draft), is talking about more military intervention from the US ("a hyper power" says Sebastion Gorka, who elected him?) than all of his predecessors combined.
Nothing like saber rattling to divert and lull his shrinking base into thinking Trump is keeping them safe.
In Trump's nonstop war of words, the majority of Americans are already casualties.
And in braggadocio.
Never were truer words ever spoken. Not so much in heft or changes helping all Americans but in devastating impact. In the annals of history, Donald Trump will be number one: in scandals (Russia), ineffectiveness (healthcare), vindictiveness (Hillary Clinton, Mitch McConnell, Jeff Sessions) and pettiness (cracking down on DACA immigrants who expected clemency, Scott Pruitt, Betsy DeVos).
But he may be exceeding even those actions by making sure the world can't sleep, Rex Tillerson notwithstanding.
Donald Trump campaigned against stupid wars as well as needless wars, ineffective wars, endless wars. And yet, this man so taken with military might (typical of men who evaded the draft), is talking about more military intervention from the US ("a hyper power" says Sebastion Gorka, who elected him?) than all of his predecessors combined.
Nothing like saber rattling to divert and lull his shrinking base into thinking Trump is keeping them safe.
In Trump's nonstop war of words, the majority of Americans are already casualties.
And in braggadocio.
114
Remember Trump's comment on the Civil War?
Only Andrew Jackson could have prevented that war?
Only Andrew Jackson could have prevented that war?
8
And he's also great at sending up smokescreens. I wonder what his staff is doing while all of us wait fo the next news report on Trump & Kim
2
Typical of men who have avoided the draft. Right on the mark Sir!
3
I never thought Donald Trump could evolve.
But he has evolved right before our eyes, from a bumbling buffoon to Dr. Strangelove on steroids.
But he has evolved right before our eyes, from a bumbling buffoon to Dr. Strangelove on steroids.
179
"Students of the future will look back upon the 2013 Miss Universe contest in Moscow as the central moment in 21st century history."
It's about that time when Trump's finances should be of great consequence to the investigation by Robert Mueller and his team of prosecutors.
It could be a turning point as a broad lesson in civic education that no person is above the law and it was demonstrated in the removal of President Trump from office.
It's about that time when Trump's finances should be of great consequence to the investigation by Robert Mueller and his team of prosecutors.
It could be a turning point as a broad lesson in civic education that no person is above the law and it was demonstrated in the removal of President Trump from office.
34
No one loves war like a Republican who's never fought in one. Even so we've gone through six Republican presidents since the cessation of hostilities on the Korean Peninsula in 1953 and we've managed to avoid losing any of our troops to a succession of krazy Kims during that period (one intelligence vessel notwithstanding). Now that the latest one has apparently developed a handful of nuclear weapons, our own nuclear-armed president has decided that this is the right time to teach him a lesson. If the two of them come to blows can they manage to do it privately- like in a back-alley someplace? The fate of the world needn't be involved here considering that all they'd be fighting for is the right to declare "my ego is bigger than your ego!"
212
Very well said.
4
I think we can all relax a bit. I was watching Washington Week tonight, and one of the commenters had just spent her entire week at the Pentagon, which she covers regularly. Turns out there is no "locked and loaded" ramping up. No alerts, only one aircraft carrier in Korean waters, no military families being evacuated from Guam, etc.
Trump is just blowing smoke because his base likes to hear it and his popularity is slipping. Besides, who has time to think about Russian collusion when Trump is rattling his purportedly big saber with his diminutive hands?
Trump is just blowing smoke because his base likes to hear it and his popularity is slipping. Besides, who has time to think about Russian collusion when Trump is rattling his purportedly big saber with his diminutive hands?
223
I hope that Kim knows that Trump is just blowing smoke. Better yet....I hope that Kim doesn't fear his own people hearing Trump's threats, and then Kim having to put up a face saving show of force in order to re-establish his aura.
3
Well, he is adding his sage advice to Venezula and sending Kush to the Middle East, so I guess he is trying to out bNoble Peace prize Obama!
2
Philip,
I watched the same program and also found it informative on several levels. Perhaps one of the most salient comments was one made by Michael Duffy who pointed out that the key to all of the saber rattling and chest pounding was to be found in Trump's comments about the more than "10 million Americans" who were feeling reassured by his recent declarations. It doesn't take a genius to understand that 1) Trump is changing the subject from low poll numbers and the Russian investigation to homeland defense, and 2) rallying his base at the expense of everyone's frayed nerves.
I watched the same program and also found it informative on several levels. Perhaps one of the most salient comments was one made by Michael Duffy who pointed out that the key to all of the saber rattling and chest pounding was to be found in Trump's comments about the more than "10 million Americans" who were feeling reassured by his recent declarations. It doesn't take a genius to understand that 1) Trump is changing the subject from low poll numbers and the Russian investigation to homeland defense, and 2) rallying his base at the expense of everyone's frayed nerves.
5
They “want to love me and they’re all fighting for love”? I assume he meant they're fighting out of love for him, not actually fighting for his love, although in fact the latter sense seems fairly accurate. Either way, it's an appalling thing for someone in his position to say. But this kind of thing has become normalized; there is so much, almost every day, that is far worse, that we've become inured.
64
In fact, it's an appalling thing for anyone to say. I read through comment after comment looking for this reaction. Those words are sick, just sick.
4
Collins illuminates Mr. Trump better than most and with a mix of wit and rapier. Paragraph 7 is perhaps my favorite in this column. However, with Mr. Trump fully revealed, save for the willfully blind, how about some of the same sustained attention to the other characters running about Washington. While there are many, I'd suggest Hans von Spakovsky, who is hotly pursuing the "millions of people" (Mr. Trump's words) who voted illegally in the last election, of course for Hillary Clinton. A close runner up is von Spakovsky's wing man on the presidential commission on voter integrity, Kris Kobach of Kansas, another avid hunter of the millions. And what's Tom Price up to over at Health and Human Services now that repeal and replace has, well, you know. He must be itchy to turn his attention somewhere. And of course Betsy De Vos at the Department of Education has provided lots of yuks and would probably be happy to provide more. And EPA head Scott Pruit is wreaking havoc and wants to remove the word "regulation" from all public school dictionaries, a joint effort with De Vos over at Education. Just kidding. But seriously, these people and many more merit closer scrutiny. Trump, thanks to his penchant for running his mouth and tweeting at all hours, is almost too easy a subject. Try coaxing a few others into the open.
110
Trump already has us taking our eyes off the ball! Early on most of us were discussing the danger posed by Bannon, Trump's "brain". He's gone silent, at least in terms of grabbing headlines. But he and his handiwork are still there, whispering in Trump's ear and wreaking havoc behind the scenes. PLEASE take the time to read Rich Higgins memo. It's frightening and straight out of the Bannon playbook. In fact, he is a Bannon-Flynn acolyte. The alt-right is gearing up for, and rationalizing, the cultural civil wars they plan to start the minute anyone, even "Establishment Republicans" dare mess with their dear leader.
3
This week we're back to Korea, and today even Venezuela. Two weeks ago it was Iran. China and the South China Sea is always there as well. Not to mention our interminable involvements in Afghanistan and Iraq. Wow, we could be fighting 5 or 6 wars pretty soon. Good thing for Trump that Barack Obama left him with such a strong military.
Well, at least we know there's one country we won't be fighting on Trump's watch: Russia.
Well, at least we know there's one country we won't be fighting on Trump's watch: Russia.
64
Yep, then he can say -- no other president has fought six wars on five continents at once!
3
Well, what can we say, Gail? Trump is certainly not boring. Even when he's playing a simple golf game he's controversial.
He's right about one thing. No one's done what Trump has done in the first six months of office. No one rational, that is. If Trump is complaining about some sort of mess that previous presidents have left him, he *did* complain that the White House was a dump.
And Putin. There's something going on between those two. Normally, any president has had an easy time establishing a formidable posture against Russia. I mean, when a president was in some sort of domestic trouble, all he'd have to do is rail about Russia and everyone would back him. Trump, O.T.O.H is that Svengali who tells his followers that Russia is a good place to take the family on vacation. If they get into trouble, however there's no American Embassy for support
Yes, Trump and Kim are a matched set. It really feels as if we are back in the eighteenth century with dueling and all of that. Trump has taken us backwards. I was in Guam in the Marines during the Vietnam War and I felt safer then than I do now. There was still a Japanese WW II soldier in the Guamanian jungle back then, a jungle visible from the Cliff House where we'd go drinking. A few scotches and he was of less concern.
But Trump and Kim have brought us to the precipice of a nuclear exchange, It'll take more than a few scotches to make Trump and Kim less terrifying. My sympathy is with the Guamanians.
He's right about one thing. No one's done what Trump has done in the first six months of office. No one rational, that is. If Trump is complaining about some sort of mess that previous presidents have left him, he *did* complain that the White House was a dump.
And Putin. There's something going on between those two. Normally, any president has had an easy time establishing a formidable posture against Russia. I mean, when a president was in some sort of domestic trouble, all he'd have to do is rail about Russia and everyone would back him. Trump, O.T.O.H is that Svengali who tells his followers that Russia is a good place to take the family on vacation. If they get into trouble, however there's no American Embassy for support
Yes, Trump and Kim are a matched set. It really feels as if we are back in the eighteenth century with dueling and all of that. Trump has taken us backwards. I was in Guam in the Marines during the Vietnam War and I felt safer then than I do now. There was still a Japanese WW II soldier in the Guamanian jungle back then, a jungle visible from the Cliff House where we'd go drinking. A few scotches and he was of less concern.
But Trump and Kim have brought us to the precipice of a nuclear exchange, It'll take more than a few scotches to make Trump and Kim less terrifying. My sympathy is with the Guamanians.
38
Trump hugging himself while he made the "fire and fury" threats said everything about this unloved little boy.
A day later he assumed a more dignified posture while doubling down on his threats, no doubt chastised by General Kelly, Melania or both.
What almost everyone in the world except for Trump seems to already know is that the US has overwhelming military assets and is more than prepared to defend our interests.
No need to boast, little Donnie. That, and hugging yourself just makes you look like a frightened little boy.
And running down past Presidents makes you look even smaller. Grow up, little Donnie.
A day later he assumed a more dignified posture while doubling down on his threats, no doubt chastised by General Kelly, Melania or both.
What almost everyone in the world except for Trump seems to already know is that the US has overwhelming military assets and is more than prepared to defend our interests.
No need to boast, little Donnie. That, and hugging yourself just makes you look like a frightened little boy.
And running down past Presidents makes you look even smaller. Grow up, little Donnie.
150
If Trump has not grown up by now, he never will.
3
That was the strangest thing to see a US President hugging himself for dear life while "tough talking". Never ever have seen that one.
5
look ahead
Nice smackdown.
Very nice indeed.
Nice smackdown.
Very nice indeed.
2
The tRump talk is what his yahoo followers like. They believe the president of the U.S. should talk tough, after all he is head of the biggest baddest country and that is how they talk when they have few beers and maybe a couple of boilermakers with 100 proof bourbon.
It is also how those low mentality types you knew in school talked, the ones that made fum of you for reading Shakespeare, who were surprised when you stood up to them.
their answer was to fogjt. All it took was for one bookish type to smack them down, and they had to slink away. Kim knows this but it is a dangerous game, as tRump goes berserk when he does not get his way. His response to those who have stood up to him is to sue. Most of his tormentors do not have the financial means to litigate, so then he crows how he beat them.
He has managed to get away with this most of the time, but Kim is not dumb or intimidated. He knows how to make tRump fuss and fume which can be fun to watch, but it has the potential to cause him to act irrationally which he does frequently. A little push will realty set him off. As we see frequently he has to make himself look good at any cost, that is why he prevaricates as often as he does. He thinks others will believe him, just as he believes himself, yet lives with the anxiety that he will be found out for the fraud he is.
Congress has to put a stop to him, the War Powers Act gives him 60 days of military action before he needs their approval.
It is also how those low mentality types you knew in school talked, the ones that made fum of you for reading Shakespeare, who were surprised when you stood up to them.
their answer was to fogjt. All it took was for one bookish type to smack them down, and they had to slink away. Kim knows this but it is a dangerous game, as tRump goes berserk when he does not get his way. His response to those who have stood up to him is to sue. Most of his tormentors do not have the financial means to litigate, so then he crows how he beat them.
He has managed to get away with this most of the time, but Kim is not dumb or intimidated. He knows how to make tRump fuss and fume which can be fun to watch, but it has the potential to cause him to act irrationally which he does frequently. A little push will realty set him off. As we see frequently he has to make himself look good at any cost, that is why he prevaricates as often as he does. He thinks others will believe him, just as he believes himself, yet lives with the anxiety that he will be found out for the fraud he is.
Congress has to put a stop to him, the War Powers Act gives him 60 days of military action before he needs their approval.
31
Donald Trump is a caricature - of a successful businessman, of a President, and of a Republican.
I feel like we are living in a South Park episode, which, if I were to imagine an ending, would be to have King Jong Un and our President recognizing each other as kindred spirits and working things out between them. Who know? Anything's possible. Right?
I feel like we are living in a South Park episode, which, if I were to imagine an ending, would be to have King Jong Un and our President recognizing each other as kindred spirits and working things out between them. Who know? Anything's possible. Right?
18
Right. If Satan and Saddam could become lovers, anything's possible.
2
Trump sees a confrontation with North Korea as a way to get his ratings up. He's been play-acting being president since he was inaugurated. He is an empty suit, a mindless idiot whose only idea of what the presidency entails is based on the TV-based, alternative reality he lives in, where a successful president is one with high poll numbers. That's it.
And acting "less crazy" when he's not on camera does not mean he's sane. It means he's still crazy.
And acting "less crazy" when he's not on camera does not mean he's sane. It means he's still crazy.
503
May we please substitute "certifiably insane" for "crazy"? Crazy sounds too much like wacky old Uncle Jeb eating toothpaste and jelly sandwiches.
7
That's my take also. When this all cools down, which it always does, Trump will claim credit.
1
@Mary Scott
“Trump sees a confrontation with North Korea as a way to get his ratings up.”
Not “the ratings” so much as “Pay no attention to that man over there, Mueller, and his grand jury.”
Trump is freaking out that Bob Mueller is investigating Trump’s family finances and the business’ investments in foreign countries. The “shock and awe” of the pre-dawn raid of Paul Manfort’s home left Trump unable to speak and his one tweet was basically “They can do this?”
“Trump sees a confrontation with North Korea as a way to get his ratings up.”
Not “the ratings” so much as “Pay no attention to that man over there, Mueller, and his grand jury.”
Trump is freaking out that Bob Mueller is investigating Trump’s family finances and the business’ investments in foreign countries. The “shock and awe” of the pre-dawn raid of Paul Manfort’s home left Trump unable to speak and his one tweet was basically “They can do this?”
6
This guy has been president for six months, and already he’s flirting with nuclear war. What does he do for a second act? Where will we be after four years of empty threats and hollow boasting from a president who writes checks with his mouth that his brain can’t cash?
Here is a man who has never had to pay attention to a single word he’s said, nor live up to a promise, nor face consequences that a slick lawyer can’t get him out of. He’s toying with a man who has had his close relatives taken out back and shot. He’s had a clueless dupe poison his half-brother in a crowded airport.
Groping starlets doesn’t make you a man, Mr. President. Bill Clinton made sexy-time in the Oval Office, but he managed to steer the country in a straight line in his spare time. Barack Obama was an honorable man who had more intelligence and strength of character in his little finger than you have in your whole bloated body.
As smart as they were, they made occasional errors. It’s unavoidable. But Mr. Obama created a health care option that even with its flaws is impervious to the attempts of the opposition party to tear it down.
Smart people can make mistakes with the best of intentions. Imagine what happens when a dim-witted fragile narcissistic tweet-happy man-child comes up against a real psychopath.
Winter is coming. Nuclear winter.
Here is a man who has never had to pay attention to a single word he’s said, nor live up to a promise, nor face consequences that a slick lawyer can’t get him out of. He’s toying with a man who has had his close relatives taken out back and shot. He’s had a clueless dupe poison his half-brother in a crowded airport.
Groping starlets doesn’t make you a man, Mr. President. Bill Clinton made sexy-time in the Oval Office, but he managed to steer the country in a straight line in his spare time. Barack Obama was an honorable man who had more intelligence and strength of character in his little finger than you have in your whole bloated body.
As smart as they were, they made occasional errors. It’s unavoidable. But Mr. Obama created a health care option that even with its flaws is impervious to the attempts of the opposition party to tear it down.
Smart people can make mistakes with the best of intentions. Imagine what happens when a dim-witted fragile narcissistic tweet-happy man-child comes up against a real psychopath.
Winter is coming. Nuclear winter.
1100
On the bright side, maybe Trump does finally believe in global warming, and nuclear winter is his strategy to fight it.
3
@gemli
“sexy-time” is just superb.
However, I must disagree with your statement:
"But Mr. Obama created a health care option that even with its flaws is impervious to the attempts of the opposition party to tear it down.”
1) Trump can cut crucial subsidies to help health insurance companies pay for their lower income patients’ medical bills. Worth $7 billion this year, insurance companies can jack up premiums and flee states. (We’re already seeing this.)
2) Individual mandate-He could stop enforcing the requirement for most people to have insurance of pay a fine. The mandate is the most unpopular part of this law but it is crucial that healthy people sign up for coverage.
3) Trump can pull funding to promote enrollment in Obamacare. The Trump administration has already canceled funding at the end of the last enrollment period.Without sustained outreach effort there would likely see decreased enrollment in Obama’s marketplace.
On its face it seems risky to tear down an entitlement program that people like and need. But Trump’s base isn’t ready to give up fight to destroy Obamacare.
http://www.politico.com/video/2017/07/28/3-things-trump-can-do-to-destro...
Trump’s base is now seeing that they will hurt badly w/o Obamacare. And many in the base don’t understand that the ACA and Obamacare are the same thing...not sure if Trump understands this either.
But Trump and the GOP want to obliterate the very name Obama from history.
Hatred of Obama fuels 45.
“sexy-time” is just superb.
However, I must disagree with your statement:
"But Mr. Obama created a health care option that even with its flaws is impervious to the attempts of the opposition party to tear it down.”
1) Trump can cut crucial subsidies to help health insurance companies pay for their lower income patients’ medical bills. Worth $7 billion this year, insurance companies can jack up premiums and flee states. (We’re already seeing this.)
2) Individual mandate-He could stop enforcing the requirement for most people to have insurance of pay a fine. The mandate is the most unpopular part of this law but it is crucial that healthy people sign up for coverage.
3) Trump can pull funding to promote enrollment in Obamacare. The Trump administration has already canceled funding at the end of the last enrollment period.Without sustained outreach effort there would likely see decreased enrollment in Obama’s marketplace.
On its face it seems risky to tear down an entitlement program that people like and need. But Trump’s base isn’t ready to give up fight to destroy Obamacare.
http://www.politico.com/video/2017/07/28/3-things-trump-can-do-to-destro...
Trump’s base is now seeing that they will hurt badly w/o Obamacare. And many in the base don’t understand that the ACA and Obamacare are the same thing...not sure if Trump understands this either.
But Trump and the GOP want to obliterate the very name Obama from history.
Hatred of Obama fuels 45.
7
Our constitution gives the right to declare war only to Congress. We need to pass a law that gives Congress control over the nuclear codes, not the President.
81
Bad as it is that the nuclear codes are in the hands of someone so unstable, giving the codes to Congress would be worse. They (and we) would be toast before they could agree on using them.
We certainly should rethink the War Powers Act though; giving the president 60 days before Congress can do anything seems generous and outdated.
World War III probably won't last that long.
We certainly should rethink the War Powers Act though; giving the president 60 days before Congress can do anything seems generous and outdated.
World War III probably won't last that long.
21
Somehow that doesn't make me sleep any better.
5
I find it difficult to believe that Trump is eager to annihilate his family and business empire in a nuclear holocaust. The North Korean leader also wants to live and remain in power, but if he is painted into a corner, then what? That’s a dangerous gambit we don’t want to entertain, especially since there are many other options available to us, not the least of which are rational reflection, discussion, and diplomacy.
I’m wondering what Trump’s children think about all this bombastic, hawkish nuclear rhetoric from their father. Do they give any thought to the world they want themselves and their children to grow up in, or do they have any thoughts about the lives of the rest of us? Are they suicidal? Do Jared and the rest of the crew think that this is the best way extricate themselves from the looming Russia debacle and other investigations and tribulations that confront them?
Time always tells. Our problem is that it is something we appear to have in ever-shorter supply.
I’m wondering what Trump’s children think about all this bombastic, hawkish nuclear rhetoric from their father. Do they give any thought to the world they want themselves and their children to grow up in, or do they have any thoughts about the lives of the rest of us? Are they suicidal? Do Jared and the rest of the crew think that this is the best way extricate themselves from the looming Russia debacle and other investigations and tribulations that confront them?
Time always tells. Our problem is that it is something we appear to have in ever-shorter supply.
36
Keep in mind it's not our guy who is threatening first use of nuclear weapons. Even so, Speaker Ryan has warned us he's new at this stuff. Maybe like a kid who's just gotten a thermonuclear war game for Christmas. Let's hope he falls asleep before he blows us all up.
Ok, not funny.
Ok, not funny.
38
The tragedy is that all this chest thumping will likely get Trump reelected. His supporters are as devoted to him as Kim's people are to him. It is not a huge exaggeration to say that his media defenders--including Fox News and whoever will take Jeffry Lord's place on CNN--are just as willing to justify all he does as Kim's broadcasters are willing (or afraid not to) justify Kim's actions. And stronger Trump looks on TV, the more his pool of support will grow. If he bombs North Korea, the entire media willl fall in line and his approval ratings will go through the roof, His return to popularity will only be aided by the reemergence of terminally not-ready-for-cable TV Obama officials like Susan Rice.
2
First, there's something about Trump that makes ME go gag. And sincere thanks for trying to soothe us all. But, I must mention the unofficial, REAL
Trump Doctrine: Donald Trump can, and probably will, make anything
Worse. It's an innate, lifelong talent. Tempered by Decades of business
" success ". And bankruptcies. Now with Collaborators.
Remember, only Nixon could go to China. And only Trump would get himself deported. Bigly.
Trump Doctrine: Donald Trump can, and probably will, make anything
Worse. It's an innate, lifelong talent. Tempered by Decades of business
" success ". And bankruptcies. Now with Collaborators.
Remember, only Nixon could go to China. And only Trump would get himself deported. Bigly.
46
After listening to Mr. Trump's strange belicose ramblings today, I expect to see him soon sporting a military uniform laden with gold braid and sporting a few ostentatiously gaudy decorations he made up and awarded to himself. perhaps a "Grand Order of the Greatest Grandiloquence."
I am also wondering how long Nikki Haley(sp.?) and Rex Tillerson will continue to abase themselves in the service of America's very own "Dearest Leader." Or will they just continue to sing "What I did for love ... "
I am also wondering how long Nikki Haley(sp.?) and Rex Tillerson will continue to abase themselves in the service of America's very own "Dearest Leader." Or will they just continue to sing "What I did for love ... "
230
Yeah, Nikki Haley, Trump acolyte. From starlet to harlot in a few short months.
21
Ms. Collins, I doubt very much that the generals at the Pentagon believe that the president has respect for intelligence, seeing that he saw fit to trash the agencies responsible for gathering intelligence in one of his very first pronouncements as Chief Executive.
"But I talk", bragged the president, which is exactly why he's squaring off against Kim Jong-un and has the global community on edge. Now the president is eyeing Venezuela as a military port of call. Why would a country in deep turmoil attract the president's attention?
Tweetie bird is asking for trouble. He's flown out of his cage and the puddy tat he thought he saw is a full grown North Korean tiger itching to flex its muscles. The president is playing with fire.
"But I talk", bragged the president, which is exactly why he's squaring off against Kim Jong-un and has the global community on edge. Now the president is eyeing Venezuela as a military port of call. Why would a country in deep turmoil attract the president's attention?
Tweetie bird is asking for trouble. He's flown out of his cage and the puddy tat he thought he saw is a full grown North Korean tiger itching to flex its muscles. The president is playing with fire.
27
It's difficult to see any virtue in Trump giving us the 'Dirty Harry' presidency . . .
18
please don't insult Dirty Harry.
3
Is there a better way for him to vent frustrations ?
7
Back during WWII, we had a slogan, "loose lips sink ships"; that applies to 45 today as he recklessly tweets and spouts his one-liners.
61
Everyone except the 38% of Americans who bow and scrape in front of him have figured out that Trump is a blowhard. So of course his threats have no effect.
14
Here's a strategy for Kim Jong-un to defuse the crisis and stick it to Trump at the same time. He strikes up an alliance with Putin. Trump will never take on Kim if Putin is protecting him. Plus, Kim and Putin can gang up on China if the need arises. Now Kim is an international power-player instead of a wanna-be. Problem solved.
8
Kim shares a small border with Russia. Russia has been selling him arms for sometime now.
4
I agree with Trump that no president has accomplished as much in his first six months. Trump has dramatically reduced American power and influence, reversed decades of progress in racial justice, begun the reversal of efforts to produce clean water and air, and made America safe for white supremacist fascists.
It's not an enviable record, but it's impressive.
It's not an enviable record, but it's impressive.
917
All started a drive to disenfranchise millions of legitimate voters, placed a reactionary in the stolen SC seat, caused countless people overseas to lose access to even the most rudimentary health care in his relentless war against women, and appointed the most corrupt, conflicted, inexperienced and incompetent cabinet in the history of the United States, some of whom have perjured themselves or violated federal law withholding relevent information on their appointment related documents, shredded ethics and anti-nepotism standards.
9
Normally, I find Gail's columns to be very humorous.
Tonight I am too terrified to find the humor in anything.
The thing that scares me the most is the utterly unchecked insanity of our so-called president.
Tonight I am too terrified to find the humor in anything.
The thing that scares me the most is the utterly unchecked insanity of our so-called president.
259
Exactly. Stomach in knots, heart in throat.
The unchecked part has me angry: the Republicans have the power right now to do something about this, but they won't. Perhaps they need to change the color of their party from red to yellow.
The unchecked part has me angry: the Republicans have the power right now to do something about this, but they won't. Perhaps they need to change the color of their party from red to yellow.
3
Let's hear some suggestions for who should play DJT when they make the movie. Unfortunately, John Wayne is no longer working, so no fair voting for him.
5
John Wayne specialized in laconic, supremely capable, and confident men. Even if he were still around, he'd NEVER be an appropriate choice to play Trump.
Now Adam Sandler, on the other hand...
Now Adam Sandler, on the other hand...
7
If he were still around, Rodney Dangerfield would be perfect: always whining about how he can't get no respect!
7
Please don't insult John Wayne.
3
Can't we just we just put these two colicky infants in a crib with a couple of Nerf bats and let them have at each other?
26
Trump has needed a war since he took office. Naturally, he prefers an opponent easily beaten and humiliated. Odds are good he will take Iran over North Korea, simply because Iran is an easier "win" in terms of an invasion and consequent strut. Trump may not be smart enough to hope North Korea is all talk, but certainly anyone with a sense of potential casualties and mayhem hopes fervently that someone, anyone, will show intelligent restraint before the adolescent egos of two insecure men cause unspeakable death and destruction.
4
Neither N.K. nor Iran are easy wins, not by a long shot. His advisers must have recently pounded that into his head, which is why he's now talking about Venezuela. I'm pretty sure we'll hear him talk about finding ISIS there soon.
5
People are saying they're getting a bit feisty in Granada again. Maybe a redux of that operation will suffice for Trump.
3
It was disconcerting for Trump to say, on Friday, that he had been very clear with his words on North Korea and had meant what he said.
First, Trump's words would have to be translated and cliched 'tough guy' terms like "locked and loaded" do not flow from one language to another.
Second, Trump sure sounded mirthless when he thanked the humorless Putin for expelling 700+ diplomats, then announced that it was sarcastic.
There sure is no room for facetiousness with nuclear war.
First, Trump's words would have to be translated and cliched 'tough guy' terms like "locked and loaded" do not flow from one language to another.
Second, Trump sure sounded mirthless when he thanked the humorless Putin for expelling 700+ diplomats, then announced that it was sarcastic.
There sure is no room for facetiousness with nuclear war.
19
The president is, at the very least, emotionally challenged. That is a serious and dangerous situation. Also dangerous is the situation of many of his followers. For them, the payoff is seeing the president be outrageous; seeing the so=called elites and media types horrified by the bullying and the lies. The question is whether all this entertainment that they seem to enjoy so much will continue to amuse as their children and grandchildren are threatened with incineration. Flash! This is not some version of "The Apprentice." The stakes here are actually not as scripted as on a TV show and, while cool heads and informed decision-making are called for, we may have to deal with the fact that the amusement factor may be reduced. Bummer.
14
The refusal of Congressional Republicans to initiate Trump's removal from office is based purely on political opportunism. And perhaps covering their own hindquarters as well. Don't forget a recording exists of Ryan, McCarthy and Scalise admitting they knew Russia was financially contributing to Trump. But instead of disclosing that to the electorate, they conspired to "keep it in the family."
Those actions violate election laws and clearly constitute obstruction of justice. Crimes committed by the leadership of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress.
Has it become too "elitist" to expect our representatives to inform us when they have knowledge that a presidential candidate has suspicious ties to a foreign adversary? We certainly shouldn't allow them to skew the presidential election by withholding profoundly significant information of criminal activity by a candidate or members of his campaign staff. This is nothing more than the minimum level of honesty, loyalty to their oath of office and patriotic duty we should demand from our elected officials.
And they can't even meet that standard.
I hope Mueller doesn't let that one slip through the cracks.
Those actions violate election laws and clearly constitute obstruction of justice. Crimes committed by the leadership of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress.
Has it become too "elitist" to expect our representatives to inform us when they have knowledge that a presidential candidate has suspicious ties to a foreign adversary? We certainly shouldn't allow them to skew the presidential election by withholding profoundly significant information of criminal activity by a candidate or members of his campaign staff. This is nothing more than the minimum level of honesty, loyalty to their oath of office and patriotic duty we should demand from our elected officials.
And they can't even meet that standard.
I hope Mueller doesn't let that one slip through the cracks.
155
"Locked and Loaded" is the brand name they will use for the war. It will be, this years "Bring Em On". I can already see the add campaign for selling the new commander in chief as defender of the realm. Donald Trump, twice as incurious as Bush and twice as dangerous...NOW, with "collusion".
11
Appears that secret, behind the scenes pourparlers have been taking place between N,Korean diplomats and our own side for months, so tough talk from both leaders should be taken with a proverbial grain of salt.Remember Richard Nixon's madman theory which did bring Giap to the negotiating table in 1973, a prelude to ending our involvement in VN two years later?There was never a moment when Gerry Adams and Martin, Tim Mcguiness of the Real IRA were not in communication with Whitehall during The Troubles in Northern Ireland.Even Johnny Mad Dog Adair of the Ulster Defense Force was reputed to be a double agent in the pay of British intelligence.
4
"People who’ve dealt with the private Trump often say they found him less crazy than the public version."
"Less crazy" is a low bar. I am not mollified.
"Less crazy" is a low bar. I am not mollified.
237
It is so reassuring watching as all Trump's generals, during this Trump made crisis, transform into Mike Pence. Pretty soon when Trump speaks and says so many inflammatory and dangerous things, they will be applauding wildly clapping their hands over their heads like the military does for the Great Leader in North Korea. The one thing Trump does with great expediency is rob men of once sterling reputation of their integrity.
93
Unfortunately, those "men" give up their sterling reputations willingly and gladly. Why?
8
25th Amendment... it's time.
29
Glad you've not lost your sense of humor. Mine left me a long time ago. It's not coming back anytime soon, either. I pray we will all survive this horror that is the president.
17
Trumpworld is anything but funny, but there are other sources of humor. For instance, as Shirley MacLaine noted, "The person who knows how to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused."
2
We have to give President Trump full credit on one point. Nobody’s done what he's done in a six-month period; no president, NObody! Period. And to think that we still have three and a half years still to go -- if we get that far. What amazing achievements lie in store!
13
Trump is like a little boy who has just discovered war games, running around and shouting threats. He does not sound like a rational adult.
The number of casualties of a second Korean War would be horrific - with 24 million people in Seoul 40 miles away from the border. In 3 years for the first Korean War (where one of my uncles served), there were 2.7 million Koreans killed, 33,000 Americans, and 800,000 Chinese. http://www.newsweek.com/2017/05/05/what-war-north-korea-looks-588861.html
The US would have to have a draft. Trump has already said that he doesn't support American POWs since he likes people who aren't captured, and he said the US will now save on salaries of the several hundred diplomatic staff that Putin is expelling. That means he is tossing these experienced diplomats and personnel, who were serving in a tough situation, out the door at Putin's pleasure.
Does anyone think Trump values a single American life? Or especially an Asian life?
The insane man in the White House is more demented every day. This is a catastrophe, and he is enjoying it. He has discovered how much he likes to play a war president threatening every other country with war. He won't stop even after this situation. From now on, his first resort will be to threaten war.
25th Amendment Now. Congress needs to return, and the psychiatrists need to be consulted. Trump is insane.
The number of casualties of a second Korean War would be horrific - with 24 million people in Seoul 40 miles away from the border. In 3 years for the first Korean War (where one of my uncles served), there were 2.7 million Koreans killed, 33,000 Americans, and 800,000 Chinese. http://www.newsweek.com/2017/05/05/what-war-north-korea-looks-588861.html
The US would have to have a draft. Trump has already said that he doesn't support American POWs since he likes people who aren't captured, and he said the US will now save on salaries of the several hundred diplomatic staff that Putin is expelling. That means he is tossing these experienced diplomats and personnel, who were serving in a tough situation, out the door at Putin's pleasure.
Does anyone think Trump values a single American life? Or especially an Asian life?
The insane man in the White House is more demented every day. This is a catastrophe, and he is enjoying it. He has discovered how much he likes to play a war president threatening every other country with war. He won't stop even after this situation. From now on, his first resort will be to threaten war.
25th Amendment Now. Congress needs to return, and the psychiatrists need to be consulted. Trump is insane.
137
"The US would have to have a draft." Let every son and daughter, every husband and wife, every confederate waving clown who voted for trump go fight his wars! Not MY president, not MY sacrifice, not MY children's sacrifice. trump's ignorant supporters wanted war. Let them fight it!! NO draft! Let his rabid base march off to death. My loved ones will not be sacrificed to the slaughter.
5
Trump uses everything - North Korea, Venezuela, Mitch McConnell, the "mooch", the opioid crisis, Hillary's emails - to distract and deflect us from the Russia investigation. His tweets about North Korea are a calculated, manufactured "crisis" by an ignorant and infantile man. And it will work if Americans don't rise up and demand truth and consequences for Trump, his appalling family and administration, and a mostly craven Congress. The rule of law means nothing if Americans don't enforce it. We must stay INDIVISBLE.
29
This really isn't funny any more. How about some articles or insights into who is working on some practical way of getting Republicans on board to remove Mr. Trump from office? Maybe give him a good uniform with braid, and a gold airplane, and promote him to President Emeritas? We need to get creative. The Trumps are looking weirder and weirder. What are apparently capable people like Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner doing with a lying,manipulative joker like Don Sr.? Surely they are people who could earn a good living without kowtowing to a petty dictator who puts hem and their children's lives at risk - along with those of the rest of the country.
13
You give way too much credit to Ivanka and Kushner!
10
What hope do we have? Over and over commenters have pointed out That Trump fails at EVERYTHING. Ok I guess his one success (sort of) was The Apprentice, which I could not watch because it was so ugly and bloated and mean. How did we get so many horrible and cruel people in this country who support Trump. Have they been hiding in plain sight all these years? Maybe there is a conspiracy to not only dumb people down, but to make them inhuman as well. Where has America's heart gone? Are the rest of us who still care deeply what happens to the citizens of North and South Korea and Japan and Guam and our own people the misfits?
24
Hey, has anyone else noticed that our president is a phony?
Outside the US, they've all noticed.
It's going to take more than one Obama-caliber administration to fix the damage.
Sad!
Outside the US, they've all noticed.
It's going to take more than one Obama-caliber administration to fix the damage.
Sad!
25
For decades, we have confronted rogue states trying to go nuclear. We used carrots. We used sticks. We demanded Saddam Hussein to give up his nuclear ambitions. He complied, and then we killed him. We demanded Muammar Qaddafi to give up his nuclear ambitions. He complied, and then we killed him. We have long demanded that the North Koreans give up their nuclear ambitions. There are no carrots juicy enough, no sticks stout enough to erase from their memory what they have seen us do to others we've convinced to disarm. We've made our bed, and now we must sleep in it.
14
"all hot air and no balloon. " The perfect description of our President. Thank you, Gail.
40
T, very locked and very loaded.
7
I would frequently lament that I thought there were 100,000 people as qualified as GWB to be President. But this clown makes me wonder if there are 100,000 people less qualified to be President. He is so dim-witted that I must forgive his frequent display of stupidity.
Instead I focus on the blatant lack of concern Republicans have for humanity. Many (almost all) have become so used to deceiving the populace that they haven't a clue the damage they are doing. As long as they feel they have the right balance of deception to keep power they go along.
When the house of cards falls, it will be a mess.
Instead I focus on the blatant lack of concern Republicans have for humanity. Many (almost all) have become so used to deceiving the populace that they haven't a clue the damage they are doing. As long as they feel they have the right balance of deception to keep power they go along.
When the house of cards falls, it will be a mess.
18
The spectacle of "Talks Crazier than He Tweets" Trump fills column after column, and he loves it. And his conscienceless supporters love it.
As we know, Trump is the worst kind of leader, one who is above any blame. He's in his universe and no one can bring him out. So, the blame will be shouldered for all time, by Republicans. Especially by the loyal Trump supporters who mindlessly dwell in their master's den of denial: "Hopefully it'll all work out".
News flash Republicans, your monster strangled UN Sanctions at birth, so that he could impress himself and you with overt threats that carry the weight of millions of lives, now put on a hair trigger.
The aftermath, Republicans, of his words and deeds are forever on you. You can own it, or at least do something, protest by registering Independent, anything, detach yourself before you find yourself regretting the outcome for the rest of your life. He is undeserving of support for this one-man show of how to carreen
As we know, Trump is the worst kind of leader, one who is above any blame. He's in his universe and no one can bring him out. So, the blame will be shouldered for all time, by Republicans. Especially by the loyal Trump supporters who mindlessly dwell in their master's den of denial: "Hopefully it'll all work out".
News flash Republicans, your monster strangled UN Sanctions at birth, so that he could impress himself and you with overt threats that carry the weight of millions of lives, now put on a hair trigger.
The aftermath, Republicans, of his words and deeds are forever on you. You can own it, or at least do something, protest by registering Independent, anything, detach yourself before you find yourself regretting the outcome for the rest of your life. He is undeserving of support for this one-man show of how to carreen
15
In just eight months we've gotten used to a president who can't speak, let alone think,like an adult
20
Gail, Trump is having the time of his life, while the rest of us are doubling down on Valium. I'm waiting for him to soon appear in his own Commander-in-Chief custom uniform: Napoleon-style hat, gaudy epaulets festooning the shoulders, a score of made-up medals weighing down his chest, two holstered sidearms, Patton riding boots, and of course the blinding, gold color scheme. Remember, this was the person who longed to have military tanks rumbling down Pennsylvania Avenue at the Inauguration Parade.
Now, he's reached the absolute zenith of his glorious narcissistic ambitions. Not just America, but the entire planet remains transfixed, nervously awaiting the issuance of the next edition of threatening, tweet-lunacy. He's brilliantly calling the tune for all of us at the moment, even Robert Mueller.
Now, he's reached the absolute zenith of his glorious narcissistic ambitions. Not just America, but the entire planet remains transfixed, nervously awaiting the issuance of the next edition of threatening, tweet-lunacy. He's brilliantly calling the tune for all of us at the moment, even Robert Mueller.
32
Why can't these boys just go mano a mano and leave the rest of us out of it?
19
The world and journalists seem to be missing the point of Trump's bellicose rhetoric and posturing. From his point of view, he's had a great week, and since he is a pathological narcissist, his point of view is all that matters. He's been talking to himself. Do we think he gives a hoot about what Angela Merkel, the UN, the failing New York Times, his own national security staff, or anyone, thinks about his "rhetoric"? What he sees is that when he says "Froggie!" the rest of the world jumps. While they wring their hands over the strategic ramifications of his remarks (of which he is completely ignorant, so they actually don't exist), he has easily managed to distract everyone from Mueller's investigation, while enjoying playing the role of a real tough guy heroically standing up alone to defend the world against the corresponding bluster of the mighty Kim Il Sung. Now that he's got the hang of this we may expect this pattern to be played out again and again. Venezuela? Sure, why not?
14
Gail, if Trump starts a nuclear war and we all die, at least I will die laughing because I read your columns.
20
The poor man continues to return to his obsession with the Clintons and Barack Obama. He would do a lot worse to copy the models of the last two Democratic presidents. There were H. W. and W. There was Ronald Reagan who, in his Inaugural Address, told the world that America was, in essence, a failed experiment; nothing worked, so it was a problem. Until he caught his fingers in the Iran-Contra door while it was closing. The Big Lie.
Kim Jong-un called the American president's bluff at the poker table and is smirking while he rakes in Trump's markers. Oh, everyone knows that our military can't lose to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Except for Korea (1950-53 and Vietnam (1955-1975). But I digress. America spends $611 billion on defense alone and China and Russia's defense outlays combined don't equal half of Uncle Sam's.
But Kim is, in his perverse way, b-slapping Trump as the entire world watches. He's stuck his middle finger in front of the U.S. president whose only response is to get angry and then angrier as if words settled a fight. Kim knows that Trump doesn't pay attention to anyone about anything at any time and is playing rope-a-dope (emphasis on "dope"), content to allow Trump to expose his flaccid, flagging state.
All this while, of course, Vladimir Putin watches the comedy play out with silent amusement. He got what he wanted: a stooge in the White House. By now, Putin must be tired of the game, of all that winning.
Oh, wait; I thought we were winning.
Kim Jong-un called the American president's bluff at the poker table and is smirking while he rakes in Trump's markers. Oh, everyone knows that our military can't lose to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Except for Korea (1950-53 and Vietnam (1955-1975). But I digress. America spends $611 billion on defense alone and China and Russia's defense outlays combined don't equal half of Uncle Sam's.
But Kim is, in his perverse way, b-slapping Trump as the entire world watches. He's stuck his middle finger in front of the U.S. president whose only response is to get angry and then angrier as if words settled a fight. Kim knows that Trump doesn't pay attention to anyone about anything at any time and is playing rope-a-dope (emphasis on "dope"), content to allow Trump to expose his flaccid, flagging state.
All this while, of course, Vladimir Putin watches the comedy play out with silent amusement. He got what he wanted: a stooge in the White House. By now, Putin must be tired of the game, of all that winning.
Oh, wait; I thought we were winning.
46
Has anyone looked into whether he's being advised by Dennis Rodman? It would not surprise me. This is a White House that employs the likes of Gorka, Bannon, Conway and Manigault, after all.
19
O, what a tangled web of Trump we weave when first we practise to ensure the common masses have subpar education, no access to healthcare, no champions in Congress, no labor unions, little equality, non-living wages, a risky policing system, gerrymandered voting districts, and no recourse in the civil court system unless you can pay for it...
Not to mention a decade of Lifestyles of the Fabulously Rich and Wealthy dressed as American heroes.
Not to mention a decade of Lifestyles of the Fabulously Rich and Wealthy dressed as American heroes.
31
When a reporter asked about Vladimir Putin’s recent decision to expel 755 workers from the American Embassy, Trump said: “No, I want to thank him, because we’re trying to cut down on payroll. … We’ll save a lot of money.”
Let’s dissect that response because it tells us a lot:
1. Trump is OK with Putin deciding the size of our embassy staff in Moscow – and he had no strong words of objection at all?
2. Trump views the U.S. embassy as a business, not as a critical diplomatic outpost, so it’s great if we can save some money to improve the bottom line?
3. Trump is indebted to Russia, specifically Putin, for some unknown reason (the answer to which could possibly be found in his tax returns and/or in the tape referenced in the Christopher Steele dossier) and this makes it impossible for Trump to ever criticize Putin or Russia. In fact, thanking Putin every chance he gets probably helps keep his indebtedness secret.
Don Jr. took that meeting on June 9, 2016 at Trump Tower with the Russians because he didn’t have a choice. After all, he had publicly confessed in 2008, “Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets. We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia.” Also, golf writer, James Dodson, claims Eric Trump told him during a 2014 golf outing, “Well, we don’t rely on American banks. We have all the funding we need out of Russia.”
Apparently, the Trumps and Russia are joined together at the hip and now Putin has his lackey in the Oval Office.
Let’s dissect that response because it tells us a lot:
1. Trump is OK with Putin deciding the size of our embassy staff in Moscow – and he had no strong words of objection at all?
2. Trump views the U.S. embassy as a business, not as a critical diplomatic outpost, so it’s great if we can save some money to improve the bottom line?
3. Trump is indebted to Russia, specifically Putin, for some unknown reason (the answer to which could possibly be found in his tax returns and/or in the tape referenced in the Christopher Steele dossier) and this makes it impossible for Trump to ever criticize Putin or Russia. In fact, thanking Putin every chance he gets probably helps keep his indebtedness secret.
Don Jr. took that meeting on June 9, 2016 at Trump Tower with the Russians because he didn’t have a choice. After all, he had publicly confessed in 2008, “Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets. We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia.” Also, golf writer, James Dodson, claims Eric Trump told him during a 2014 golf outing, “Well, we don’t rely on American banks. We have all the funding we need out of Russia.”
Apparently, the Trumps and Russia are joined together at the hip and now Putin has his lackey in the Oval Office.
363
Apart from appalling generosity toward Putin, Trump is completely and utterly wrong when he talks about reducing the payroll of the US: the 755 diplomats and other employees of the US Embassy in Russia will remain on the payroll, either because they are civil servants and won't or can't be dismissed, or because they work for the US government and will be automatically given the severance pay or pensions given to all US government employees, no matter which nationality.
Trump, of course, doesn't talk about what moving the 755 away from their offices and/or homes really means: immense relocation costs, upkeep on empty buildings (in a harsh climate, no less), loss of crucial intelligence it will cost millions to replace. And he'll never repay US and/or NY taxpayers for the immense cost of protecting him and his extended family at multiple locations for security, currently running to $300,000 per day, or about $11 bn a year.
Whatever Putin has on Trump: he should now expose it!
Trump, of course, doesn't talk about what moving the 755 away from their offices and/or homes really means: immense relocation costs, upkeep on empty buildings (in a harsh climate, no less), loss of crucial intelligence it will cost millions to replace. And he'll never repay US and/or NY taxpayers for the immense cost of protecting him and his extended family at multiple locations for security, currently running to $300,000 per day, or about $11 bn a year.
Whatever Putin has on Trump: he should now expose it!
23
I read that James Clapper asserts that Trump will not listen to intelligence regarding Russia. Just because. Something stinketh. We must find out what the hold is that Putin has on our president.
5
Gail does sterling work finding humor in this so-called president and his administration. But as they get increasingly unfunny with each passing day, perhaps I can be forgiven for being serious here.
The North Korea thing raises a question that I've only heard asked once in the media (by Rachel Maddow): how reliable is the intelligence that NK has miniaturized a nuclear weapon enough to potentially deliver it on a missile to US territory? The Defense Intelligence Agency wrongly made the same claim 3 years ago and now in 2017 is the only source of this intelligence.
And it's mighty strange that it was leaked to the Washington Post, without a whisper of complaint from an administration that's obsessed with leaks. It couldn't be that trump is looking for an excuse to talk and act macho.....could it?
I have this awful feeling that we are being set up with a replay the fictitious Iraq WMD, except that this time one bad move or miscalculation could cost millions of casualties. I only hope that this time the media keep their jingoism in check.
If I had a suspicious mind, I might wonder if it has just dawned on trump that a Korean adventure would not end well. Which might explain why he mentions Venezuela as a back-up and less-threatening opponent, that he sees a way to salvage his macho credentials.
The North Korea thing raises a question that I've only heard asked once in the media (by Rachel Maddow): how reliable is the intelligence that NK has miniaturized a nuclear weapon enough to potentially deliver it on a missile to US territory? The Defense Intelligence Agency wrongly made the same claim 3 years ago and now in 2017 is the only source of this intelligence.
And it's mighty strange that it was leaked to the Washington Post, without a whisper of complaint from an administration that's obsessed with leaks. It couldn't be that trump is looking for an excuse to talk and act macho.....could it?
I have this awful feeling that we are being set up with a replay the fictitious Iraq WMD, except that this time one bad move or miscalculation could cost millions of casualties. I only hope that this time the media keep their jingoism in check.
If I had a suspicious mind, I might wonder if it has just dawned on trump that a Korean adventure would not end well. Which might explain why he mentions Venezuela as a back-up and less-threatening opponent, that he sees a way to salvage his macho credentials.
451
Interesting point. My theory is as the Russian investigation closes in Trump will say and possibility do anything to sabotage the chances his long history of criminal dealings will be found out. As many Republicans in Congress have played the role of Trump's abetters and stooges oh so well--I'm wondering what will it take to wake them up since Trump's increasing threats don't seem to have done it. Would it take a falling stock market work?! What??
24
So, the Russians are practically shutting down our embassy and draw praise from the orange one. Strange. I agree wholeheartedly with you. Where is the evidence for this latest N. Korean technological achievement? Then he jumps from N.K. to Venezuela as his mind meanders. It's all about wagging the dog.
7
Rachel Madow has been on the front lines bringing out issues like this one with the DIA and prior erroneous analysis.
My observations is that she has been correct significantly more often than not. As she reported last night, no other intelligence agency has corroborated the DIA assessment. This has been after a numbers of days. Silence.
My observations is that she has been correct significantly more often than not. As she reported last night, no other intelligence agency has corroborated the DIA assessment. This has been after a numbers of days. Silence.
9
If it was important to Trump to impress Vlad the Impaler, he'd punch big hole in a north Wisconsin lake in high winter that most use for frigid ice-fishing, and swim haughtily in it, bare-chested, just to one-up Vlad. Don't hold your breath: you can get cramps in freezing water soon after eating three Big Macs (with fries).
And Venezuela? Are you kidding? Nobody CARES, least of all the Venezuelan people, who probably would cheer us on if we sought regime change there. It's on the verge of ceasing to become a country, just a vast and very sad prison where all the inmates are starving so the guards can get fat. And they have no nukes that we know of.
I've been forced to listen to Trump for over forty years. When there's perceived advantage in acting wigged-out, he acts wigged-out; and when there's no visible advantage to it, he sounds quite rational. Other than a proclivity for lawsuits long ago when Roy Cohn was alive and needed the fees, I'm not aware of any hasty actions that he's taken -- other than running for president, and that didn't turn out badly for him, much to everyone's surprise and probably his, as well. It's all mouth.
Kim Jong-un, like his father, is accustomed to people really thinking he's 5'7", because 4" lifts are somehow invisible. But he's not 5'7", and, other than nukes, North Korea is just another Venezuela. Trump indeed tweets tough, but after thirty years of can-kicking with the North Koreans, it's maybe time we stopped kicking cans.
And Venezuela? Are you kidding? Nobody CARES, least of all the Venezuelan people, who probably would cheer us on if we sought regime change there. It's on the verge of ceasing to become a country, just a vast and very sad prison where all the inmates are starving so the guards can get fat. And they have no nukes that we know of.
I've been forced to listen to Trump for over forty years. When there's perceived advantage in acting wigged-out, he acts wigged-out; and when there's no visible advantage to it, he sounds quite rational. Other than a proclivity for lawsuits long ago when Roy Cohn was alive and needed the fees, I'm not aware of any hasty actions that he's taken -- other than running for president, and that didn't turn out badly for him, much to everyone's surprise and probably his, as well. It's all mouth.
Kim Jong-un, like his father, is accustomed to people really thinking he's 5'7", because 4" lifts are somehow invisible. But he's not 5'7", and, other than nukes, North Korea is just another Venezuela. Trump indeed tweets tough, but after thirty years of can-kicking with the North Koreans, it's maybe time we stopped kicking cans.
6
If Trump goes swimming in an icy lake, I hope he does it in Wisconsin. Minnesota lakes are too pristine for massive fish die-off.
17
BWCA:
I chose Wisconsin rather than Minnesota because Trump edged out HRC in the former while she edged him out in the latter. Of course, she should have hammered him in both, but the second most unpopular presidential candidate in our history didn't make a very credible showing in either venue against the MOST unpopular presidential candidate in our history.
And I'm reliably informed that Trump bathes and is fumigated regularly.
I chose Wisconsin rather than Minnesota because Trump edged out HRC in the former while she edged him out in the latter. Of course, she should have hammered him in both, but the second most unpopular presidential candidate in our history didn't make a very credible showing in either venue against the MOST unpopular presidential candidate in our history.
And I'm reliably informed that Trump bathes and is fumigated regularly.
I'd rather we continue kicking cans than give a nuclear-armed maniac an excuse to kill tens of thousands of Americans, Koreans and Japanese. He'll never use those nukes unless we strike first- any more than Russia did when it was just the two of us. Kim is a vile little despot determined to hang on to power but he's not stupid. I wish I could say as much for our own Dear Leader.
30
I wish I could just laugh at the last two days' events. Wars have often started with misunderstandings, along with power grabs. In this case we have two cultures diametrically distinct, one from the other. Different languages, different histories, different politics, along with a huge age difference. Ego, fear, and megalomania are shared, but that's about it. Kim seems a little smarter than Trump, but not by a long shot. Both prefer shows of macho and strength. To make attempts to intimidate and taunt the other is pure madness. One slip, and we could be headed to what the RAND planners in the 50s termed MAD: Mutually Assured Destruction. It just has to happen once.
202
"People who’ve dealt with the private Trump often say they found him less crazy than the public version."
Ummm, yeah; not so reassuring.
We're talking about a POTUS here - the POTUS, actually, which used to mean something.
The guy diminishes his office and this country each and every day.
Ummm, yeah; not so reassuring.
We're talking about a POTUS here - the POTUS, actually, which used to mean something.
The guy diminishes his office and this country each and every day.
664
"less crazy than" (fill in the blank) is NOT A phrase used when describing the POTUS.
This week, 'Kim Jung Un' completes the sentence. Not comforting at all.
This week, 'Kim Jung Un' completes the sentence. Not comforting at all.
6
Please, George W. got us into a war on a complete lie, costing a trillion dollars and a million lives. Trump's a golf nut, who's accomplished nothing. Yes, plenty of potential for real damage but so far he's just making money for the mainstream news outlets.
We all have a fantasy of getting rid of him and his VP and, while we are at it, swinging by Neil Gorsuch's house to tell him he's been impeached out of the Supreme Court. This will not happen. This is not like a broken leg that will be as good as new in six months. For boomers, this is the result of letting the corporatists from both parties ruin the county.
We all have a fantasy of getting rid of him and his VP and, while we are at it, swinging by Neil Gorsuch's house to tell him he's been impeached out of the Supreme Court. This will not happen. This is not like a broken leg that will be as good as new in six months. For boomers, this is the result of letting the corporatists from both parties ruin the county.
3
During the campaign Trump said he had a plan to defeat ISIS in thirty days. That never happened. Today he said he couldn't decide whether to send more troops to Afghanistan or not. Military spokesmen said they've waited for months for a decision from Trump. Also today he said he's considering a military option against Venezuela, a country which hasn't attacked or threatened the US.
Trump is either going to start wars on every continent in the world or, like his plan to defeat ISIS in 30 days, he'll forget all about it. But the question is, can we trust him to do anything right?
Trump is either going to start wars on every continent in the world or, like his plan to defeat ISIS in 30 days, he'll forget all about it. But the question is, can we trust him to do anything right?
419
Can we trust him to do anything right?
NO.
NO.
20
Correction: not $11 billion, but $109 million.
1
For as long as we have been a nuclear power, the U.S. government has given presidents tremendous freedom to choose if/when we should use nuclear weapons in a war. (Only one ever did: Truman, and he had defensible reasons for doing so, though the wisdom and morality of his decision are still hotly debated.) The approach has been based on an assumption of rationality on the part of the President of the United States. There is no practical way that I can think of to change that approach in the Trump presidency. God help us.
225
While I few sorry for those that died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I'm firm believer that if it wasn't for those two nuclear warheads, the U.S. and Soviet Union would have engaged in a nuclear war that would have decimated life on Earth. It is the outcome of those two relatively small nuclear explosions that prevented future nuclear wars.
4
“Look...nobody has better respect for malignant narcissism and nobody has a bigger Presidential inferiority complex than Donald Trump,” suggests the president of the United States every single waking moment.
"Look...I never expected to be President, but ever since President Obama made fun of me for that episode of Celebrity Apprentice when I fired Gary Busey - which by the way, was the right thing to do - I had to get back at that smart aleck Obama...and I think I've shown him what a real President looks like...look at my accomplishments...we're bringing back coal, which we all know is the future...we came within one vote of ripping healthcare away from 20 million Americans and replacing it with white spite...I filled the stolen Supreme Court that was waiting for me in the toaster after my HUGE inauguration...and my Voter Suppression Panel is making tremendous progress on making Democratic voters illegal throughout the entire country...so we're doing great things and I'm particularly proud of my cabinet...for Scott Pruitt Making Air Pollution Great Again...for Rex Tillerson shutting down the State Department - that alone will save millions which we can now spend on bombs and bullets on North Korea, Iran and other places I'd like to blow up to prove once and for all that my heels never really hurt when I dodged the Vietnam draft in 1968."
"Look, I'm just a Snake Oil Salesman...I never expected to be President...I'm just trying to find bankruptcy court.....this is what I do."
"Look...I never expected to be President, but ever since President Obama made fun of me for that episode of Celebrity Apprentice when I fired Gary Busey - which by the way, was the right thing to do - I had to get back at that smart aleck Obama...and I think I've shown him what a real President looks like...look at my accomplishments...we're bringing back coal, which we all know is the future...we came within one vote of ripping healthcare away from 20 million Americans and replacing it with white spite...I filled the stolen Supreme Court that was waiting for me in the toaster after my HUGE inauguration...and my Voter Suppression Panel is making tremendous progress on making Democratic voters illegal throughout the entire country...so we're doing great things and I'm particularly proud of my cabinet...for Scott Pruitt Making Air Pollution Great Again...for Rex Tillerson shutting down the State Department - that alone will save millions which we can now spend on bombs and bullets on North Korea, Iran and other places I'd like to blow up to prove once and for all that my heels never really hurt when I dodged the Vietnam draft in 1968."
"Look, I'm just a Snake Oil Salesman...I never expected to be President...I'm just trying to find bankruptcy court.....this is what I do."
1062
@Socrates,
I am sorry my friend, but you have no future in imitating this buffoon if you write complete thoughts and use upper level 5th grade words such as “accomplishments.”
I understood every sentence that you wrote! This will never do.Where are your exclamation points? Your 5 and 6 dot ellipses?
From the WSJ transcript:
On whether his speech to the Boy Scouts received mixed reviews:
“I’d be the first to admit mixed. I’m a guy that will tell you mixed. There was no mix there. That was a standing ovation from the time I walked out to the time I left, and for five minutes after I had already gone. There was no mix.”
On conversations with foreign leaders about their domestic economies:
“So I deal with foreign countries, and despite what you may read I have unbelievable relationships with all of the foreign leaders. They like me. I like them. You know, it’s amazing. So I’ll call, like, major — major countries, and I’ll be dealing with the prime minister or the president. And I’ll say, how are you doing? Oh, don’t know, don’t know, not well, Mr. President, not well. I said, well, what’s the problem? Oh, GDP 9 percent, not well. And I’m saying to myself, here we are at like 1 percent, dying, and they’re at 9 percent and they’re unhappy.”
And one tweet out of thousands:
"Obama is, without question, the WORST EVER president. I predict he will now do something really bad and totally stupid to show manhood!”
Socrates, you need to drop your IQ down MAJOR points to mimic 45.
I am sorry my friend, but you have no future in imitating this buffoon if you write complete thoughts and use upper level 5th grade words such as “accomplishments.”
I understood every sentence that you wrote! This will never do.Where are your exclamation points? Your 5 and 6 dot ellipses?
From the WSJ transcript:
On whether his speech to the Boy Scouts received mixed reviews:
“I’d be the first to admit mixed. I’m a guy that will tell you mixed. There was no mix there. That was a standing ovation from the time I walked out to the time I left, and for five minutes after I had already gone. There was no mix.”
On conversations with foreign leaders about their domestic economies:
“So I deal with foreign countries, and despite what you may read I have unbelievable relationships with all of the foreign leaders. They like me. I like them. You know, it’s amazing. So I’ll call, like, major — major countries, and I’ll be dealing with the prime minister or the president. And I’ll say, how are you doing? Oh, don’t know, don’t know, not well, Mr. President, not well. I said, well, what’s the problem? Oh, GDP 9 percent, not well. And I’m saying to myself, here we are at like 1 percent, dying, and they’re at 9 percent and they’re unhappy.”
And one tweet out of thousands:
"Obama is, without question, the WORST EVER president. I predict he will now do something really bad and totally stupid to show manhood!”
Socrates, you need to drop your IQ down MAJOR points to mimic 45.
19
You have hit upon what makes this guy a comedian's dream: he is his own parody.
11
Nuschler...you are quite correct.
It's a challenge to simultaneously collapse my IQ, my conscience and an entire lifetime of shared humanity while typing away.
I'm going to need a much bigger shovel to get down to his level.
It's a challenge to simultaneously collapse my IQ, my conscience and an entire lifetime of shared humanity while typing away.
I'm going to need a much bigger shovel to get down to his level.
12
As usual, Gail Collins presents carefully thought-out opinions in a humorous way. If we consider the main topic of this column (possible military confrontation between the United States and North Korea), humor does play a part as it helps us to digest the indigestible (possible military confrontation between the United States and North Korea). And God knows we all can use some humor to deal with this latest episode in the ongoing saga of Emperor Donald!
66
Trump, on Friday, declared that Kim Jong Un would terribly regret the result if he did not follow Trump's warning. What Trump left out was how many scores of innocents would also rue the fallout.
298
Scores? How about millions?
21
Almost seven months into the job and Trump still does not comprehend that foreign policy cannot be summarized in 140 characters.
353
No reason to think Trump is acting from facts here.
On Friday, Trump referred, curiously, to tens of millions of people who are very happy with him and with his words.
Those numbers came from the same source as those millions of illegal voters who cost Trump the popular vote - his imagination.
On Friday, Trump referred, curiously, to tens of millions of people who are very happy with him and with his words.
Those numbers came from the same source as those millions of illegal voters who cost Trump the popular vote - his imagination.
519
Trump is still polling near 80% among Republicans. He's only lost moderates and independents.
1
@John- "Trump is still polling near 80% among Republicans. He's only lost moderates and independents."
And this is why any talk with them is futile. When asked what he has accomplished so far his supporters are clueless. Their comments are frightening. It's like they have no concept of how devastating even a "minimum" (is there even such a thing?) nuclear attack would be. His rabid supporters are so unlearned. They have no idea of the longterm consequences of nuclear fall-out, the birth defects, the cancers, the atmospheric changes that could result in nuclear winter. The inhabitability of lands for millennium. They callously disregard the deaths of millions of innocent people in South Korea and surrounding countries. One commenter here at the NYT stated in response "not my problem". How do you begin to talk to someone with such a callous and indifferent attitude to the death and destruction of millions of people, who don't care about the devastation to the planet as long as trump "wins"? Who can't even grasp the totality of nuclear destruction. Do they honestly think it will stop at North Korea's doorstep? Are they as ignorant of radiation fall-out as they are of pollution believing somehow they will be shielded by trump's magical bubble? And now he's threatening Venezuela? Is he going to drop bombs on them too? He stated we can't police the world yet he threatens war constantly- with NK, Venezuela, Iran. And they cheer! How do you speak rationally with such deluded people?
And this is why any talk with them is futile. When asked what he has accomplished so far his supporters are clueless. Their comments are frightening. It's like they have no concept of how devastating even a "minimum" (is there even such a thing?) nuclear attack would be. His rabid supporters are so unlearned. They have no idea of the longterm consequences of nuclear fall-out, the birth defects, the cancers, the atmospheric changes that could result in nuclear winter. The inhabitability of lands for millennium. They callously disregard the deaths of millions of innocent people in South Korea and surrounding countries. One commenter here at the NYT stated in response "not my problem". How do you begin to talk to someone with such a callous and indifferent attitude to the death and destruction of millions of people, who don't care about the devastation to the planet as long as trump "wins"? Who can't even grasp the totality of nuclear destruction. Do they honestly think it will stop at North Korea's doorstep? Are they as ignorant of radiation fall-out as they are of pollution believing somehow they will be shielded by trump's magical bubble? And now he's threatening Venezuela? Is he going to drop bombs on them too? He stated we can't police the world yet he threatens war constantly- with NK, Venezuela, Iran. And they cheer! How do you speak rationally with such deluded people?
25
"Trump is still polling near 80% among Republicans."
That doesn't paint a flattering picture of republicans.
That doesn't paint a flattering picture of republicans.
19