Trump says there are ‘serious’ leaks and ‘leaks where people want to love me’https://t.co/0611ruD2Y6
— Jason Leopold (@JasonLeopold) August 11, 2017
.
Thanks so much for your contributions, GOP…
***********
Apart from all the [facepalm]s, what’s on the agenda for the evening, or the weekend?
Hunter Gathers
White Trash President for a White Trash country.
Frankensteinbeck
Standard narcissist thinking. If it’s for him, it must be morally good. If it’s against him, it must be morally bad.
Kristine
I just want a president who can speak English. Is that too much to ask?
Apparently, yes.
lollipopguild
@Hunter Gathers: I know some white trash who actually work for a living and pay their bills. two things that trump has never mastered.
Major Major Major Major
Ugh, his face.
So what did he say? I don’t watch videos of him if I can help it, and there’s no transcript.
lollipopguild
@Kristine: He is speaking english but the dialect is Gibberish.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@Kristine: We had one, in between the two that didn’t.
Quinerly
Doubling down on Putin helping cut State Department payroll. I hate this son of a bitch.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@Quinerly: You understand Gibberish?
Yarrow
This is not a thing.
mai naem mobile
Watching Dolt 45 right now. He’s such a fucking assholic moron. Dumbass doesn’t know you can’t just take away a senators chairmanship because you feel like it. Also,he’s so ugly and his mannerisms are so bigly piggly. I just cannot stand this guy. His voice is also ugly. His asshole mouth really looks like an asshole. Gawd can we just fast forward past this moron.
Cheryl Rofer
Why are they letting this person speak in public?
ArchTeryx
We ought to call this whole fiasco the Man in the Low Castle.
tobie
@Quinerly: I haven’t heard him today–can only stomach so much–but I think what was so shocking yesterday was not only that he thanked Putin (3x) but did so for “letting them go.” Putin hires and fires for our embassies now.
Hunter Gathers
This made me laugh harder than I have in months:
?BillinGlendaleCA
@mai naem mobile:
Trump can’t but the Turtle could.
Quinerly
@?BillinGlendaleCA: I understand that he seems to want to go to war with Venezuela also.
Quinerly
@Cheryl Rofer:
There’s no way he makes it through this term. I just don’t see it.
jibeaux
Somewhere, there are leaks on the pee-pee tape.
zhena gogolia
@Quinerly:
I’m more worried about us making it through his term.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@jibeaux: I see what you did there.
zhena gogolia
@mai naem mobile:
I know what you’re talking about! I feel the same! Why do we have to look at this guy?
Quinerly
@tobie:
I’m awaiting on the arrival of a houseguest who will be here on an extended stay. Made the mistake of turning on tv just as Trump was speaking. I’m with Cheryl…they need to stop him from speaking. He sounds more stupid by the day. Cracking under pressure?
Quinerly
@zhena gogolia:
That too.
Cheryl Rofer
@Quinerly: I think his words were “will not rule out a military option.” He thinks that being unpredictable is a great strategy, so he wants to keep all options on the table rhetorically. Or he has no idea what to do and calls that unpredictablity.
Gelfling 545
@Kristine: I’m ready to settle for one who can speak any intelligible human tongue.
debbie
@Hunter Gathers:
More like a banana republic president for a country hurtling toward destruction.
Cheryl Rofer
@Quinerly: I’m feeling like I will not make it through four years of Trump. The emotional jolts from his disregard of other people devastate me. That’s the statement about trans people in the military and yesterday’s about how he didn’t want diplomats in Russia anyway. My job has involved thinking about nuclear war, so I’m somewhat inured to that. The pure cruelty toward others is more than I can take.
Another Scott
Trump is horrible. He won’t get any better. He needs to go.
In other news (via LOLGOP on Twitter):
We have to fight them every single day if we want to have a decent future.
Cheers,
Scott.
debbie
@Cheryl Rofer:
Which is what you do when you’re trying to take over another company. I blame every single idiot who has ever stated the country should be run like a business.
dmsilev
@?BillinGlendaleCA: It’s not clear The Turtle cares all that much anymore about going out on a limb for The Hair. Work together where they agree, sure, but beyond that?
Yutsano
@jibeaux: I’m coming to the conclusion it’s not the pee tape. The Russians are his bankers. Putin via Deutsche Bank literally owns him. Even Dolt45 is smart enough to know to never piss off the dealer.
tobie
@jibeaux: Good to see you back. I still remember your comments about Harry Enten talking like someone from the 1940s from way back when. Jonathan Mann’s “Harry Enten is looking for a girlfriend” song has become something of a staple in my house when we’re doing mindless work.
tobie
@Yutsano:
Oh my, we’re really spraying on this thread.
zhena gogolia
@Cheryl Rofer:
I told my husband about what he said about the diplomats. I said, “How do you think that makes people in the State Department feel . . .” and he said, “all over the world.” He looked so depressed. It is unutterably depressing that this pig gets to make so many good people feel so bad.
eclare
@Cheryl Rofer: He enjoys being cruel, relishes in it. I can’t believe in 71 years on this rock no one has ever, ever called him out on being a bully. I so hope one day Navy Seal Team Six member Kristin Beck finds herself on an elevator with him.
germy
“Thanks so much for your contributions, GOP…”
Yarrow
debbie
@Yarrow:
Stupid football last night made Colbert later than I could stay up. I need that comedy more than any drug.
randy khan
@BillinGlendaleCA:
Even the Turtle needs something that looks like a good reason to his caucus. Messing with committee chair seats for petty reasons is the kind of thing that makes Senators uncooperative.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@randy khan: True, I’m just pointing out who COULD and who couldn’t.
Trump basically thinks of Congress as his board of directors that does his bidding. He doesn’t get the co-equal branch thang.
randy khan
Since it’s an open thread, and we’re on our way into the weekend, I thought I might post about something Barbara Cook’s friends did in her last days:
Her friends sang her out
It’s really a lovely story, and so fitting.
germy
jl
@Major Major Major Major: Yeah. Should be a warning if the link is just a video of Trump talking.. What does it even mean?
I thought there would be some text with informed guess by sane person who might have some understanding of what that nutcase is raving about.
Gelfling 545
I know they say he doesn’t drink but it’s hard for me to believe that anyone could talk like this when sober.
Mary G
I have never said this about any human being before, and I am ashamed for thinking it, but the president needs a good ass-whupping, administered by some women from the military, wrestling, roller derby, whatever. I rarely let myself feel rage, but boy, I do now.
Timurid
Well that post title made my heart race a little bit on a Friday at Oh Dump Thirty…
eclare
@Mary G: Great minds, see my comment at #36.
aimai
@Yutsano: Piss off? Really?
Why can’t it be both, by the way? I am sure that the Russians are Trumps bankers, but I’m sure they also supplied him with girls because why not?
debbie
@germy:
I think Trump’s bought himself even more trouble. We may not like him, but the majority of GOP Senators sure do. They’re going to rally around McConnell if Trump keeps this up.
Yarrow
@Gelfling 545: He may not drink but that doesn’t mean he’s sober. Could be some other substance.
Cheryl Rofer
@Yarrow: LOL. Thanks.
Honus
@Kristine: we have a president who can’t speak English insisting that all immigrants be able to speak English.
Baud
I didn’t realize Newt was taking McConnell’s side over Trump.
zhena gogolia
@randy khan:
I’m crying before I even read it. Thanks for the link. I got to tell her I loved her once. She was very gracious.
debbie
@Honus:
I’d bet a fair number of his supporters can’t either. Throw ’em all out! Lock ’em up!
zhena gogolia
@Timurid:
Yeah, I wish they wouldn’t tease us like this.
SiubhanDuinne
@?BillinGlendaleCA:
“Oh, Stewardess….”
Yarrow
They never let up. And the WV Gov, who would appoint Manchin’s replacement, is now a Republican.
Roger Moore
@?BillinGlendaleCA:
Oh, stewardess! I speak gibberish.
eclare
@debbie: Yep, 100 people each thinking himself or herself is a king or queen in The World’s Greatest Deliberative Body. Please proceed, president.
germy
Omarosa’s appearance at the black journalist conference doesn’t go well
debbie
@zhena gogolia:
To be honest, I’d never heard of her until she died, but what a beautiful and loving send-off!
SiubhanDuinne
@Quinerly:
I have said publicly, I think it’s far more likely that he’ll leave in a straitjacket or on a gurney than via indictment/impeachment. This job ages and stresses and wears out the youngest and fittest of men. I can’t imagine the havoc it’s wreaking on an out-of-shape 71-year-old.
debbie
@germy:
What a bitch. Period.
The Dangerman
WTF would our role be in Venezuela? Stay the fuck out of it.
Shana
@randy khan: Oh how beautiful. Hubby and I saw her cabaret/concert a couple of times when we were newly married and have always treasured the experience of hearing her. Truly one of the greats and thank you for sharing that.
Baud
@The Dangerman: Our role is distraction.
JPL
@randy khan: That was such a lovely story, and thank you for sharing it.
Serious question.. I haven’t been online for a few hours.. Are we going to invade Venezuela?
germy
MomSense
@Quinerly:
The pundits said war made him look presidential. It’s all he’s got.
I hope Mueller’s staff is working around the clock to bring this asshole down before he breaks the world. Maybe we should start ordering pizzas and sending them to Mueller’s office to keep them happy – unless that would be some kind of violation that would cause damage.
Honus
@Quinerly: no. Not cracking under pressure. He’s really just that stupid.
randy khan
@JPL:
I don’t think so, but you never know with this guy.
eclare
@MomSense: Also espresso machines and Red Bull….
Baud
@JPL: My guess is no. The one coherent thing Trump said during the campaign is that Bush blew it in Iraq. I think he is too scared to invade. But no guarantees with him.
debbie
@JPL:
He’s not ruling out military action.
bemused
“Leaks where people want to love me”. He has to be the neediest person on the planet. He has no idea how much he reveals about himself every time he opens his mouth. He’s an ego flasher.
randy khan
@MomSense:
Honestly, I don’t know if that would play out the same way it did for GW Bush, particularly if you’re talking about invading Venezuela, a country that most people think of as insignificant and certainly no threat to the U.S.
debbie
@Baud:
I respectfully disagree. I think he’s in a locker room sword fight against his predecesors and wants to be the guy who wages the most wars.
Baud
@randy khan: Iraq only played well because of the false tie to 9/11.
Baud
@debbie:
All theories are on the table with him. But I appreciate your respect.
The Dangerman
@Baud:
I assume you mean from the Russia investigation; I got bad news for Trump, the hammer (and sickle) of the Russia thing will eventually drop on his maladministration, if not him personally. Ain’t enough dog wagging going to prevent it.
Baud
@The Dangerman: I agree. But Trump doesn’t live in our reality.
SiubhanDuinne
@randy khan:
Beautiful.
Listened, as usual, to Fresh Air this afternoon. Today’s program featured long excerpts from a recent (2016?) Terry Gross interview with Barbara Cook, and a much earlier one from, I think, the early 1990s.
She was a wonderful entertainer, who battled and prevailed over a lot of fleshly temptations (food addiction, alcoholism). I wish her peace.
MomSense
@randy khan:
Tears. That’s what I did for my grandmother in her final days.
sukabi
@Yarrow:
debbie
@bemused:
Apparently he is referring to his staff. His ego is stroked by his staff ratting each other out!
Roger Moore
@debbie:
I think the biggest thing is that he’s a bully. Bullies always love to make threats but are much happier letting somebody else carry them out. Well, now he has the whole damn government, including the world’s foremost military, to carry out his threats for him. This is not a healthy thing.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@Baud:
Ain’t something that happens everyday.
Mnemosyne
@randy khan:
I didn’t recognize her name, but when they talked about the various performances she did for PBS, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen at least a few of them. Thanks for sharing.
Baud
@?BillinGlendaleCA: I assume she thought I was someone else.
MomSense
@eclare:
Sweets, too.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
Watching a tweety-less tweety show (Katie Tur filling in) I get the impression he’s trying to climb down, but he’s a dim-witted goon engaged in dominance politics. Anything is possible with him. If Mattis and McMaster do manage to scare him off of a new Korean War, he may feel the need to find another target to try to dominate
debbie
@?BillinGlendaleCA:
Yep, ’tis rare.
Caphilldcne
@Cheryl Rofer: I am moving offices and just came across the Roll Call magazine covering the 2008 Obama win. I kept it cause I never got the headline post or times (throwing away everything so that was a big decision). Also made me indescribably sad.
debbie
@Baud:
Ha! Actually, I showed more than a little disrespect to a number of co-workers this week. It was all well-deserved, but I feel a need to decompress. Don’t worry, I’m sure it won’t last much longer.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@Baud: It happens, when you’re virtual.
Kay
How much money did the Trump Family make off the US Presidency today?
We need one of those running totals. A display. How humiliating for the Trump hires, that they have to appear at the family golf course with the Trump branding behind them. They’re like the wait staff. Well, the wait staff are more honorable. At least they’re not pretending to do public service.
Will the next President promote his or her family business using the United States Presidential seal? How do you go up when you’re at rock bottom?
germy
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
Venezuela.
debbie
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
I get the feeling that if Kelly can’t talk him down, no one can.
germy
@Kay: CBS News is doing a story on his hotel and rents right now.
Juliana Goldman is connecting the dots.
lamh36
@germy: WHY DA FUQ was Omarosa even at the Black Journo Meeting anyway. …da bish…NEVER answers questions about her bullshit Trump support, just fake outrage and talking over folks. Whoever invited her, has to answer for it. Heffa, sold her soul for that white man’s silver…and I hope she’s rotting from the inside out…BITCH!
SiubhanDuinne
@Yarrow:
What, what? I can’t keep up. Why is Joe Manchin being considered to lead Energy? What happened to whatsisname, um, Rick Perry?
Baud
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: I hate to give him any benefit of that doubt, but since Jong Un is just as crazy as Trump, the critical thing now is protecting Guam and elsewhere. If Mattis and McMaster can do that, then their presence in the administration will be worthwhile.
lamh36
eclare
@debbie: A friend and I both agreed initially that Kelly would last two months. I am now revising my estimate down.
? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?
@germy:
She’s the one who has no decency. Fuck that piece of shit.
Kay
Has Trump demeaned any federal employees today? On top of all his other faults he’s a lousy boss. Mean spirited. Nasty.
No wonder there are so many leaks. It must be pure pleasure to release the embarrassing stuff he does every day.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@germy: That’s one of things I’m afraid of. I haven’t followed the situation there closely, but if the D listers and morons around him who remember Grenada and Panama and think those were great successes, and “hey, it’s down there too!”, I’m afraid it could get very ugly.
Mattis is said to carry a huge grudge against Iran. And he’s supposed to be the smart one.
Mike J
@SiubhanDuinne: Goodhair to DHS to replace Kelly, Manchin to Energy is the plan. Manchin won’t do it, but people will panic in the meantime.
I actually called this back when Kelly was named. Seems like it was years ago.
JPL
@debbie: From the link
Well I guess it’s possible.
Mnemosyne
@Baud:
The ironic part is that Trump and Kim are crazy in the exact same way: they’re both pampered princelings who had their positions handed to them on a silver platter because of who their parents were. Neither of them has ever had anyone tell them “no,” and they’ve both always had huge amounts of power over almost everyone around them because of their wealth and family connections.
This will not end well.
Kay
I guess his plan is to threaten one or another country every day. He already has no credibility. By the middle of next week no one will pay attention to the threats either. “I will use military action!” Yeah, whatever, clown. Go hit a golf ball.
Quinerly
@Yarrow:
It’s a mystery to me why Manchin would want it. Bloomberg piece up. Yes, I know he’s got a tough reelection fight in 2018. But, really….jumping on a sinking ship and not being able to pick your staff.
Major Major Major Major
@SiubhanDuinne: More to the point, why the hell would Manchin say yes?
debbie
@Kay:
Apparently pretty well. I heard a report today that members of some medical association sent a group letter requesting that their conference, scheduled at a Trump hotel, be moved because of the damage he was doing to AMA. The association turned down the request. So there’s a nice chunk of change in Trump’s future.
Patricia Kayden
@Kristine: We had one who spoke eloquent English for the last eight years. Miss him like hell.
trollhattan
@The Dangerman:
You see that Hugh Hewitt McMaster interview where he’s basically begging him to “do a Panama” with Venezuela? (among several other bad countries) Fvcking chilling how badly that tub of goo wants us to get our war on.
eclare
@Mnemosyne: And they both seem to have daddy issues. CNN had a visual earlier today of statements by Trump listed next to statements by Kim, and noted how similar the language was.
lamh36
@? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?: FUQ her…she can rot in that hell on earth that is the WH…
As a community, Black folks tend to forgive and give folks another chance at redemption, esp public persons who have to navigate in a world that is not always fair to black and brown folk…but that BISH…if she was on fire in a room of 100 Black folks…I’d bet you 99.99999% of those folk wouldn’t spit on her azz to try to put her out!
debbie
@Mnemosyne:
Also Duerte and Maduro. It’s getting to be quite a boy’s club of crazy.
bemused
@debbie:
He expects his staff and everyone else to treat him like his family does. Obsequious and fawning.
I don’t know if comment in this thread or below but I too am amazed Trump hasn’t gotten punched out at least once in his adult life.
Patricia Kayden
@germy: Good. She’s an awful human being who is shilling for another awful, racist human being.
Mnemosyne
@eclare:
Yep. They both had abusive fathers who told them they were shit, but still better than everyone else. People don’t usually get to that level of toxic narcissism without some really bad parenting.
Patricia Kayden
@lamh36: She’s not a Black journalist so her presence at the NABJ conference is puzzling given that she works for an anti-Black regime.
Quinerly
@Cheryl Rofer:
Quite frankly, I’m on overload at the end of the evening. Exhausted and drained. Actually thinking of talking to a professional/therapist. First time that I’ve admitted it.
Sloane Ranger
@Major Major Major Major: This. What’s to stop Trump sacking him almost as soon as he’s started the job, leaving him in the worst of all possible worlds?*
* Apart from Trumps cowardice in actually firing anyone?
trollhattan
@debbie:
Maduro seems headed for a military coup or civil war. Do not want, as it may not be contained within Venezuela’s borders if it occurs.
lamh36
@Patricia Kayden: She was there as a Trump token…and she KNEW what the subject was and that she’d be asked about the WH policy.
Major Major Major Major
Clickhole:
gene108
@mai naem mobile:
What gets me are restaurants that have these placemats that have all 45 presidents on them.
Ugh…having his ugly fucking face near my food is disgusting
MomSense
@Quinerly:
Good for you! I did and I started taking medication for depression. It doesn’t make you immune to the stress but it really does help.
TenguPhule
Has anyone mentioned that Trump is not ruling out military intervention in Venezuela?
Because of course he wants to fight wars on 12 fronts at once.
Baud
@Patricia Kayden:
What do you have to lose?
David ?Canadian Anchor Baby? Koch
@debbie: you can catch up using youtube (link)
SiubhanDuinne
@Mike J:
That’s just all fucked up and shit.
Kay
@debbie:
It’s disgusting how they set up that signage in Trump Family commercial ventures. “The White House” at their gross country clubs. If you were an actual career public servant why would you go along with that? “Sure! I’ll stand in front of this club house and promote your brand!”
Jesus. Have some small shred of self respect. Draw a line for how far you’re willing to go to prop up this criminal enterprise. Is it worth it? Trading 30 years of work at a government salary for a year with these people? He’s a horrible boss anyway. He treats people terribly. I look at them and I think “really? Is this how you pictured your life ending up? Selling Donald Trump’s country club memberships?”
They didn’t take those jobs for money. They don’t make that much. Why associate yourself with this? Why volunteer to roll around in shit? They’re not even getting a cut of what the Trumps are making.
TenguPhule
@Cheryl Rofer:
The problem with being unpredictable is that everyone immediately tries to predict the stupidest, most dangerous thing you might do and inevitably tend to get it wrong.
Major Major Major Major
@Quinerly:
Do it!
Seth Owen
@trollhattan: All civil wars have the potential to have negative effects on their neighbors. Let’s see if we are willing to take in the inevitable refugees. Riiiight.
I don’t see how we actually have any military options in Venezuela. None.
TenguPhule
@eclare:
I can’t believe he’s survived 71 years while being this much of an asshole.
SiubhanDuinne
@Mike J:
Know what you mean. It was, what, two weeks ago?
Trump is doing crazy things to my sense of time, and I don’t even have the pleasure of being high while it happens.
lamh36
ok…open thread…something a bit lighter…that you old BJ folks can tell ur kids ya seen so they’ll consider ya cool…LOL
Finally, the Jay-Z All Black “Friends” video for “Moonlight” is on YouTube.
JAY-Z – Moonlight https://youtu.be/FCSh48OlvMo via @YouTube
TenguPhule
@SiubhanDuinne:
Of course that would presume he actually tried to do the job.
Can’t stress out when the fucking lardass doesn’t bother to work at all.
hovercraft
@Mary G:
This is one of the most frightening things about Twittler, he’s changing who we are. He makes me think and feel things I never thought I was capable of. I thought I was a better person than this, but he really makes me wish real harm on him and his supporters. Hatred is corrosive, and as much as I’ve disliked people, I’ve never loathed a human being the way I loath this person.
TenguPhule
@The Dangerman:
Become the hated invader everyone else rallies against.
gene108
@The Dangerman:
Take the oil
Baud
@hovercraft: I still like you.
TenguPhule
@Baud:
Trump: “I will succeed where Bush Failed! Biggest Invasions ever!! Loot, Rape and Torture like the world has never seen!”
LurkerNoLonger
@tobie:
According to The Possum Queen he was being sarcastic. That wasn’t sarcasm. Me saying, “I’m so glad Donald Trump got elected.” is sarcasm.
SiubhanDuinne
@gene108:
Leave the cannoli.
Mnemosyne
@Quinerly:
You need to maintain your health, including your mental health. Believe me, you’re probably one of the few people on here who doesn’t already see a shrink (heck, I have two, since only an MD can prescribe my ADHD medicine ?).
TenguPhule
@Kay:
Problem is, we’re not there yet.
Plenty of sewage to sink through yet.
danielx
The jokes, they write themselves.
@SiubhanDuinne: Also too, a seventeen day golfing vacation does not fit the image of a man striving mightily to navigate the ship of state and wearing his fingers to the bone.
Major Major Major Major
@SiubhanDuinne: LOL!
TenguPhule
@Baud:
Cites facts clearly not in evidence.
Baud
@Mnemosyne: I don’t have a shrink.
SiubhanDuinne
@TenguPhule:
No pillage, no plunder? I am disappoint.
MomSense
@hovercraft:
Exactly this. I was watching a guardian video interview with a bunch of trumpets and I hated them. I felt such contempt it startled me. I don’t want to turn into a monster.
Baud
@TenguPhule: Maybe. But suggests courage that Trump has never exhibited.
MomSense
@Mnemosyne:
My shrink is seeing a shrink. Trying times.
hovercraft
@germy:
I’m shocked!
Why she would have expected anything different is beyond me. She works for and with racists and she thought black journalists would welcome her? She’s as dumb and delusional as her boss.
Baud
@MomSense: I still like you.
TenguPhule
@Kay:
Bullies tend to doubledown once the talking doesn’t get them the desired attention. Just saying.
Mnemosyne
@Baud:
Perhaps this is why your campaign failed. ? Didn’t you ever see The President’s Analyst?
?BillinGlendaleCA
@Baud: Me either, I’m short enough as it is.
? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?
@TenguPhule:
Looks like Trump is going to try to emulate the Imperial Japanese. He’ll fuck it up worse than they ever did.
Steeplejack
@Seth Owen:
I don’t see what in the “Venezuela situation” requires us to have any military options.
Major Major Major Major
@Baud: I still like you.
Mike in NC
So Trump is saber-rattling both North Korea and Venezula. Maybe he thinks they share a border.
Fair Economist
I saw Barbara Cook about 13 years ago, IIRC, and she was excellent – absolutely amazing when you consider she was over 70 at the time. She had this great mix of singing and talking about theatre – I remember her talking about one song she absolutely loved which got cut from a production because it didn’t advance the plot enough. There was also one funny bit where she mentioned debuting “Glitter and Be Gay” (arguably the last famous opera aria ever written) and the audience started cheering, because it sounded like she was setting up to sing it. But she just laughed and said “Oh, I could NEVER sing that now!”
?BillinGlendaleCA
@SiubhanDuinne:
You worked for the Canadians too long.
Baud
@Mnemosyne: I haven’t.
@Major Major Major Major: You shouldn’t. But thank you.
TenguPhule
@trollhattan:
Its a sign of how bad things are that a military coup there would probably be an improvement to the situation.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
Oy. I didn’t even know that was part of the ‘winger vocabulary
TenguPhule
@Seth Owen:
That’s because you’re not stupid or crazy.
TenguPhule
@SiubhanDuinne:
That would be for the soldiers and you know Trump would never ever give them a cut of the proceeds.
Mnemosyne
@Baud:
It stars James Coburn as the analyst. It was kind of a lost film for a while, but now it’s a cult classic.
Mike J
For our Coloradianites, please note Gardner is finally doing a town halls. This Tuesday. Colorado Springs, Greely, and Lakewood. RSVP required.
Perhaps some people can pass along some messages.
https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/media-advisory-gardner-to-hold-three-town-halls-along-the-front-range-
Major Major Major Major
@Baud: why not?
Baud
@Major Major Major Major: I’m a sociopath.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
Who indeed? Seems a question worth reporting on, if you’re a reporter. At a press conference. I guess in the past this has been reported as being Kellyanne (who as a mother of four knows something about toddler management, I guess) et al.
Baud
@Mnemosyne: Thanks.
TenguPhule
@Baud:
The problem with his chickenheart is that he’s afraid of different things at different times depending on his audience.
Fear of ridicule can prompt actions that you’d expect fear of being decisive would prohibit. That’s why I don’t understand why everyone seems so relieved that he’s such a physical coward. In my opinion, that makes him more dangerous with all the power at his beck and call, not less.
Arm The Homeless
@ArchTeryx:
Man in the Highchair
These fucking cretins are going to get people killed, all the while screaming, “triggered!!“
Jim, Foolish Literalist
and the sequel: The President’s Analyst is Missing!
Omnes Omnibus
@Mike J: @Major Major Major Major: Manchin is a conservative Dem., but since the election, he has been a pretty damned loyal Dem.
Major Major Major Major
@Baud: really?
hovercraft
@Kay:
This is why no matter how much Twitler whines and the Malevolent Keebler Elf digs, they will never plug all the leaks. Unhappy people with little power will take every opportunity to stick it to the person making them miserable. There’s a reason you don’t piss off the lowly waiter till after you’re done eating, just sayin.
Baud
@TenguPhule: I’ve said nothing is certain with him. All we can do is guess.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
They do in North Korea, don’t see a problem. /Trump
TenguPhule
@Baud:
You’re not the only one here.
Baud
@Major Major Major Major: Yeah.
TenguPhule
@hovercraft:
Wise people avoid pissing off their waiters at all.
Chris
Flipping through channels, finding an episode of “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” and tuning in just in time to catch a reference to the Punic Wars.
Even by Hollywood standards, that show has to have been the gold standard for History/Mythology Kitchen Sink. Punic Wars, Trojan War, Gilgamesh, Julius Caesar, Jesus Christ, all in the same time frame.
Steeplejack
@SiubhanDuinne:
Well, look at Ms. “I finally watched The Godfather” over here!
Baud
@TenguPhule: True. But we’re in the minority here.
debbie
@trollhattan:
Maduro doesn’t seem to have the support he needs to get the power he wants. I’m not sure he’s noticed how pissed off Venezuelans are.
TenguPhule
@Baud:
One thing is certain with Trump, he will not do the right thing.
TenguPhule
@debbie:
He’s got a lock on the military and is literally rewriting the country’s constitution. He’ll reign just as long as he can keep most of the military forces on his side and not a second later.
Markets are already predicting a coup within 2 years.
MomSense
@Baud:
Well I hope so! My superpac supports your campaign!
Baud
@TenguPhule: Agree. But it’s still unclear which wrong course he will choose.
hovercraft
@Baud:
; )
thanks
TenguPhule
@Baud:
I expect Trump to convert many of the commentors to our side in due time.
Because we have cookies. (Chocolate chip and gingerbread)
Chris
@Cheryl Rofer:
Very much the latter, IMHO. The whole “madman theory of power” always seemed to me like something that was dreamed up after the fact to justify people who can’t stop themselves from being regular assholes and want people to think there’s anything more to it than that.
TenguPhule
@Baud:
That one’s easy!
All of em, Katie.
debbie
@David ?Canadian Anchor Baby? Koch:
Thanks, don’t know why I didn’t think of that. Did you see SNL’s Weekend Update last night?
Roger Moore
@Mike J:
How scary is it that Rick Fucking Perry is one of the most competent, least frightening people in Trump’s cabinet?
Sloane Ranger
@TenguPhule: I think someone told him about Nixon’s Madman theory and he thought it sounded cool.
What he doesn’t realise is that for it to have any chance of working you need,
– to know the character/personality/motivation of your target
– understand the room for manoeuvre they have within the social, political, economic situation within their country, and
– work with someone who can credibly claim to be able to influence the ‘madman if only the other person would just toss him a bone.
Maybe this worked for Nixon/Kissinger, opinions differ but both of them had extensive foreign policy knowledge and experience. It will not work for Trump who has neither and who lacks a Kissinger substitute.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@debbie: The people are revolting…
Baud
@MomSense: I don’t need your money to like you (but I’ll take it).
hovercraft
@Baud:
And BJ still loves you, you are our hope for the future.
BAUD 2020 !
different-church-lady
@Sloane Ranger: It doesn’t work when there’s two madmen.
Baud
@different-church-lady: We need a third madman to restore balance to the force.
David ?Canadian Anchor Baby? Koch
Even the liberal Bill Kristol:
Major Major Major Major
@Baud: how can you tell you’re a sociopath?
MomSense
@Baud: ?
Baud
@hovercraft: We shall overcome.
@Major Major Major Major: My intense hatred of humanity is a clue.
TenguPhule
@David ?Canadian Anchor Baby? Koch:
Bloody Bill Kristol is right for once.
I can’t believe I just fucking typed that.
The world really has gone mad.
Frankensteinbeck
@TenguPhule:
Depends. Bullies mostly operate in safe conditions. Donald Trump is the most chickenshit of all in that regard. Lazy and terrified of conflict even when he holds almost all the cards. Trump will keep hurting you as long as A) it requires no effort and attention beyond ranting, and B) he faces no push back at all. Military action would get him a great deal of push back. He is scared of being yelled at.
Major Major Major Major
@Baud: I don’t think that’s actually an indicator.
TenguPhule
@Major Major Major Major:
The ability to not blink an eye while contemplating crushing one’s enemies, driving them before you and savoring the lamentations of their women is usually the first clue.
Roger Moore
@hovercraft:
I doubt she did. She went there to stir up controversy and try to look like a martyr to Trumpites.
different-church-lady
@Baud: Your day has come!
Baud
Ha! Chris Hayes is actually playing a clip of Clinton/Kaine warning us about Trump. First time I’ve seen a media outlet point out that Hillary was right.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@Baud: You could just a be an asshole.
hovercraft
@TenguPhule:
We’re talking about Twitler here, wise and him don’t exist in the same hemisphere.
For normal people who feel they have to piss off the waiter, they know to bide their time, or walk out.
Mnemosyne
@different-church-lady:
That’s always the fatal flaw of conservatives and libertarians — they don’t realize until it’s too late that if everyone acts the same selfish way they do, they get screwed, too.
Baud
@?BillinGlendaleCA: That’s not mutually exclusive.
Mary G
@Baud: We are all sociopaths now.
Major Major Major Major
@Baud: @?BillinGlendaleCA: yeah I don’t think that’s actually an indicator, Baud!.
JPL
We could wake up in the morning and discover that Trump moved troops on the northern border. Canada might not be safe haven.
Major Major Major Major
Wahh, my comments are being eated
debbie
@?BillinGlendaleCA:
Funny bit!
Mnemosyne
@Baud:
I hope other parts of the media pick up on that and remind us all that Hillary told us this shit was going to happen, and we didn’t listen. ?
Baud
Jake Sullivan is good.
Steeplejack
@JPL:
“We’re not ruling out a military option.”
Baud
@Mnemosyne: Me too. Not counting my chickens though.
different-church-lady
@Baud: Would’ve been nice if he had done that before November.
Roger Moore
@?BillinGlendaleCA:
And Trump’s people are the most revolting of all.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@Mnemosyne: She had an email server in her basement, so she’s not credible.
Baud
@Mary G: I still like you.
TenguPhule
@JPL:
My money would be on the Mounties.
They always get their man.
TenguPhule
@Baud:
How many of them can play the piano?
TenguPhule
@Major Major Major Major:
See, the sociopaths here are enjoying your predicament.
TenguPhule
@Mnemosyne:
Who is this we, Keemosabie?
Baud
@TenguPhule: No. They play bass.
TenguPhule
@Baud:
So you’ve sewed up the sports fishermen vote?
Roger Moore
@Baud:
How are you going to pay for healthcare, then?
Baud
@TenguPhule: So far, just Raven.
Major Major Major Major
@Baud: he’s a good one though.
MomSense
@?BillinGlendaleCA:
Ironically her server is about the only one the Russians didn’t hack.
frosty
@Mnemosyne: my favorite line: “I’m not paranoid! They’re all spies!!”
TenguPhule
@frosty:
Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean the conspiracies aren’t true.
TenguPhule
@Roger Moore:
Tulip Bulbs?
I hear there was a great market for them.
Villago Delenda Est
Donald seems to think that the US Military is his personal GI Joe set to play with.
TenguPhule
@Villago Delenda Est:
Seems?
Chris
@TenguPhule:
So what started out as a socialist experiment is turning into the caudillo cliche that used to be the norm in that region.
Sad. Certainly not unprecedented, but sad.
jl
@debbie:
” I’m not sure [Maduo]’s noticed how pissed off Venezuelans are. ”
The idiot Trump has a plan to solve that problem.
jl
@Villago Delenda Est: Nothing solves civil wars like a foreign invasion! That always wraps things up real quick. Known by the best people to always produce a neat clean solution, in no time.
Edit: probably is actually true that it produces ‘high energy’ situations. Trump loves ‘high energy’.
TenguPhule
Via Wapo.
This is fucking nuts.
WE DON”T KNOW WHAT THE FUCK YOU”RE THINKING DRUMPH!!! THAT’S THE WHOLE FUCKING PROBLEM!!!
TenguPhule
@jl:
This is actually true.
Everyone tends to rally against the hated invaders.
JPL
@TenguPhule: Sleep tight!
Roger Moore
@TenguPhule:
Except for the side that invited them in.
hovercraft
@Villago Delenda Est:
I was thinking RISK, but that involves strategery, so I guess GI Joe works :(
TenguPhule
@Roger Moore:
In this case, nobody is inviting Trump in. Much like charities, he simply goes in uninvited and makes a big mess.
TenguPhule
@hovercraft:
RISK involves starting from Australia and working outwards. Only a complete idiot would try to go from both ends of South America and Asia at the same time……..oh.
Gravenstone
@Steeplejack: Outside of possible humanitarian aid (NOT intervention). Not that Trump is considering anything along those lines.
TenguPhule
As always, B5 comes to the rescue.
lamh36
jl
@TenguPhule: There may have been some snark in my comment. Yes, it does tend to unite country against the invaders. But there will be some who will try to use the invaders to gain advantage (and destroy themselves with most of the rest of the population).
What it is guaranteed to create is create a horrid mess.
The problem with Trump administration is that opportunities will arise over 4 years for a toxic fool, pathological liar, and well-established moron to create a catastrophe.
We may be seeing that happen with North Korea.
efgoldman
@Gravenstone:
Hell, he wouldn’t even formally declare disaster areas, which would have sent aid to fire areas in the West and flood areas in the South. Even if he could find Venezuela on a map (I’m doubtful) why would he send anything at all to a country where they don’t speak English and a lot of the people are brown.
JPL
@efgoldman: The only thing that I’d add, is that he certainly couldn’t spell it. I’d bet money on that, and I don’t bet.
ruemara
@lamh36: I need that question answered. Because I want slap that person.
Chris
@jl:
I speculate that a U.S. invasion would pretty much destroy any credibility the Venezuelan opposition might have, as they’d be rejected as stooges of an occupying power for at least a generation.
jl
@efgoldman: Someone told him Venezuela has oil (stuff we can swipe). So, whatever the hell it is or where, the idea will eat at him now. We invade to ‘help’ them, we get the oil. Navy needs to put in a big order for U-Haul boxes to pack it up and cart it off.
Gravenstone
@TenguPhule: Except ‘honor’ in that equation would have meant repealing Obamacare.
Peale
@jl: yep. I’ve also felt gored that when it comes time to renegotiate NAFTA on terms completely favorable to us, and find funding for the wall, Trump will float grabbing oil rigs in the gulf.
TenguPhule
@Gravenstone:
And suddenly the world begins to make sense again.
Peale
@Steeplejack: oh. If it wouldn’t make things worse for 10s of millions of people, and kill tens of thousands, I’d love to do it, just to watch Hillary Haters contort themselves to death calling us hypocrites, screaming about her warmongering humanitarian interventionist impulses, while they strain hard enough to blame the deep state that they end up on permanent trusses. I’m sure they’ll roll out the Guatemalan Coup and Libya before God strikes them dead.
rikyrah
Mueller’s Targets Face Financial Strain
Paul Manafort owns many homes. Mike Flynn is a right wing superstar. But the Russia probe is gobbling up their cash at an alarming rate.
08.11.17 6:40 PM ET
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort parted ways with WilmerHale, the law firm defending him, earlier this week. That was largely because Bob Mueller’s 16-lawyer Russia probe—which is targeting him—has shifted its focus and is drilling down on tax issues, which aren’t WilmerHale’s specialty. But the parting of ways with WilmerHale was also in part because Manafort’s finances are increasingly strained, according to sources familiar with the situation.
“Paul Manafort’s resolve is limitless, but his resources are not,” said a person close to Manafort.
geg6
@gene108:
I would tell those mother fuckers to take those placemats and stick them up their asses. And then tell them I wouldn’t eat there on a million dollar bet unless they got rid of the fucking placemats forever. Did a similar thing at my tire store over the incessant FOX News on the tvs there. FOX News is no longer on a continuous loop there. Other people have thanked me for it.
Peale
@Major Major Major Major: how can you not know if you live in Guam?
jl
@mai naem mobile:
” bigly piggly ”
Thanks. I’ll use that one. I’ll refer to Trump as ‘bigly pigly’ with my Trumpster kin and see how long it takes them to figure it out.
Edit: Could we make ‘bigly pigly’ official Balloon-Juice usage for Trump? That would be cool. Every front poster has to use that for his name in the title. BJ blog has a house style manual, right?
Gravenstone
@Peale: It probably starts with having no idea where Guam is …
Ruckus
@mai naem mobile:
If his mouth looks like an asshole, what does that say about that dead ferret he wears on his head?
Also. Annie, I wish you’d stop putting his picture on the front page. At least make it below the fold so that I don’t have to look at it. He’s a sight for no eyes and mine still work. Much rather not burn out my retinas any earlier than old age is already doing. Besides I don’t need any reminders that he’s still in office, I haven’t heard a week long party going on with wild sex in the streets, which I’m sure will happen the day he’s gone.
jl
@Peale: We could all be Guamians soon.
Iowa Old Lady
@TenguPhule: I heard that interview and had the same reaction. What do you mean, I know what you’re thinking, Trump? No! I don’t!
Every sentence he uttered was empty bull shit.
jl
@Ruckus: ‘merican merkin!
Omnes Omnibus
@Peale: @Gravenstone: Guam is a state of mind.
rikyrah
Thread
David D’Ag @jackjonesbabe
Sanders’ sham vote on Single payer is an asinine tactic that could seriously undermine ongoing efforts to save ACA. Show votes serve one 1/
10:15 AM – 11 Aug 2017
https://twitter.com/jackjonesbabe/status/896057622159269888
TenguPhule
@Iowa Old Lady:
Come sit by me.
rikyrah
THREAD
Eric GarlandVerified account @ericgarland
Eric Garland Retweeted Christa Martin
It’s why Putin wanted the U.S. without a State Department. And got what he wanted.
Those who abetted the operation will pay.
https://twitter.com/jonfavs/status/896070229989629952
Frankensteinbeck
@Major Major Major Major:
Usually sociopaths know, and don’t mind. They consider the rest of us deluded. It can get pretty cartoon villain with the ‘people who love are easily controlled’ stuff. There’s a big difference between being incapable of empathy, and merely not using it.
As for Venezuela, Trump just sees another opportunity to talk about how tough he is.
rikyrah
Kyle GriffinVerified account @kylegriffin1
Mueller’s probe is moving with unusual speed and assertiveness, per half a dozen legal experts following the case.
Groucho48
@Quinerly:
The thinking seems to be…Offer Manchin whatever he wants…DoE, then a lifetime cushy job in the wingnut welfare circuit or whatever and replace him with a Republican Senator who will vote to destroy Obamacare. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were making the same kind of offer to two or three other Dem Senators.
efgoldman
@Omnes Omnibus:
25-ish years ago, a then-governor of Guam lived on our street for a couple of years while he was taking courses at the Kennedy School. His daughter and ours were the same age, and became friends and schoolmates.
Another Scott
@JPL: Remember what he said about Iraq?
NYMag:
Venezuela has 302B barrels of oil in proven reserves. Iraq has 149B.
Trump thinks that big powers can do whatever they want, and he thinks by yelling loudly enough that the USA will continue to be the biggest. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he does something militarily in Venezuela with hopes of him and Rexxon getting to “keep the oil”.
:-(
Cheers,
Scott.
Matt McIrvin
@jl: Usually, what happens is that the foreign invaders are allied with some side or other in the civil war, so it’s more like an escalation than a solution.
Matt McIrvin
@gene108: I just saw those placemats for the first time, at a Chinese restaurant in Portland, Maine… but they were old placemats and only went up to Obama.
Quinerly
@Groucho48:
I just don’t see what it gets Manchin. He’s a conservative Democrat but has been loyal to the party. And, yes, he probably will lose his seat in 2018 but that’s next year. Going to work for Trump gets him nothing. Maybe Cole or someone else from West Virginia will weigh in.
fuckwit
@Hunter Gathers: shrub wanted to buy the Texas rangers and then become baseball commissioner. Imagine that alternate reality
zhena gogolia
@Ruckus:
I hate and detest fireworks, but on that day I’m going to set up a regular (whatever that family is) show in my front yard.
Grucci
Peale
@Quinerly: he gets the blame when coal mines don’t reopen. That’s what he gets.
The Lodger
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: Tell Trump it’s down there, and he’ll only want to grab it.
germy
@fuckwit:
Reagan was originally cast for the lead in Casablanca. If he’d appeared in the film and his hollywood career was less shitty, maybe he would have been too distracted to jump into politics?
chopper
@jl:
“higgledy piggledy” also works, esp cause of the bloom county ref.
Quinerly
@Peale:
Good point. I just don’t see Manchin hitching his wagon to Trump. Not buying it.
Captain C
@gene108: if the Venezuelan oil goes off the market for awhile, prices rise, which is good for Trump’s master in the Kremlin.
ms_canadada
@lollipopguild: I hope there’s a #DecoderRing somewhere!
satby
@Baud: @TenguPhule:
oh hell, you guys have found me out.
Come sit by me. I have ice cream to go with the cookies.
Omnes Omnibus
@satby: I am not sure that is what sociopathy is. But then I am not a sykiatrist.
Gretchen
@Quinerly: Go for the shrink. Actually, you probably want to start with a therapist unless you think you need a prescription. Psychiatrists are more oriented that way, while therapists – social workers, psychologists, etc are more oriented to listen to you for an hour. I hear they’re pretty booked up these days since everyone is experiencing the stress. I think Mnemosyne is correct that a lot of people here have been and found it helpful. Including me.
No One You Know
@zhena gogolia: There’s a chrome extension to Make America Kittens Again, if that would help.
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/make-america-kittens-agai/klchnmggepghlcolikgaekpibclpmgcm