My Donald Trump Thread

[pencilart3]

I was unhappy to see Donald Trump elected as president. Since he's been in office, I disagree with some things he has done, and I approve of some things he has done. What disgusts me is to see so many people ridicule—much like the "big" 7th grade bully would tease the younger kids—the president of the United States. I have never engaged in such mockery for any president or person who who demands so much respect as President Trump's position does. Interestingly, if somebody were to mock Mr. Obama in the same utterly scornful way, they would probably be called a white supremacist or some other choice words. Instead of engaging people in a respectful way (which, coincidentally, President Trump's adversaries seem completely incapable of) most people choose to deride, mock and tease him in a not only unproductive but simply immature and disgusting way.

I am not saying that I support (or am necessarily against) President Trump, but what I've read in this forum really disgusts me.

[georgey]

I was unhappy to see Donald Trump elected as president. Since he's been in office, I disagree with some things he has done, and I approve of some things he has done. What disgusts me is to see so many people ridicule—much like the "big" 7th grade bully would tease the younger kids—the president of the United States. I have never engaged in such mockery for any president or person who who demands so much respect as President Trump's position does. Interestingly, if somebody were to mock Mr. Obama in the same utterly scornful way, they would probably be called a white supremacist or some other choice words. Instead of engaging people in a respectful way (which, coincidentally, President Trump's adversaries seem completely incapable of) most people choose to deride, mock and tease him in a not only unproductive but simply immature and disgusting way.

I am not saying that I support (or am necessarily against) President Trump, but what I've read in this forum really disgusts me.

I was unhappy to see Donald Trump elected as president.  - OK

Since he's been in office, I disagree with some things he has done, and I approve of some things he has done.  - OK

What disgusts me is to see so many people ridicule—much like the "big" 7th grade bully would tease the younger kids—the president of the United States. – President Trump is a big bully that acts like a 5th grader.

I have never engaged in such mockery for any president or person who who demands so much respect as President Trump's position does. -OK

 Interestingly, if somebody were to mock Mr. Obama in the same utterly scornful way, they would probably be called a white supremacist or some other choice words.  -OK.  Did Obama act like a big 5th grade bully?

Instead of engaging people in a respectful way (which, coincidentally, President Trump's adversaries seem completely incapable of) most people choose to deride, mock and tease him in a not only unproductive but simply immature and disgusting way.  – OK.  

I am not saying that I support (or am necessarily against) President Trump, but what I've read in this forum really disgusts me. – Please specify.


Questions: Why does Donald Trump like to call other people names (sort of like a 5th grade bully)? Pocahontas? What is the best way to treat a 5th grade bully that happens to be president of the USA?  If someone who follows Mr. Trump believes that Mr. Trump does not act like a 5th grade bully, what does this say about that someone?  Could that someone be blind to the truth?  Mentally ill?  Please explain.  Why did Donald Trump say that Ted Cruz's father was involved in JFK assassination?  Please explain this one also.  Please also explain whay Mr. Trump kept insisting that Obama was not born in the USA and is not an American citizen and is also a Muslim?  I could add about 1000 more such items. 

[pencilart3]

Yes! President Trump has certainly said some shameful, unprofessional, untrue and immature things. If the American people don't like that, they can impeach him or elect a new president next term (or leave the United States ) But that doesn't mean that we, as citizens, get to make fun of him in such an immature way. That's the way I see it at least.

Eh, I'm not here to change your opinion nor am I up for changing mine. Not a very cool person to have a conversation with

Any conversation about music, on the other hand.....

[georgey]

Eh, I'm not here to change your opinion nor am I up for changing mine. Not a very cool person to have a conversation with

Any conversation about music, on the other hand.....

You forgot to answer questions.

[pencilart3]

Edited

[georgey]

Yes! President Trump has certainly said some shameful, unprofessional, untrue and immature things. If the American people don't like that, they can impeach him or elect a new president next term (or leave the United States ) But that doesn't mean that we, as citizens, get to make fun of him in such an immature way. That's the way I see it at least.

Eh, I'm not here to change your opinion nor am I up for changing mine. Not a very cool person to have a conversation with

Any conversation about music, on the other hand.....

I agree.  WE SHOULD NOT MAKE FUN OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.  WE SHOULD INSTEAD JUST CRY.

As I said before (maybe).  I'm not upset at Mr. Trump, just his supporters.

[pencilart3]

I agree.  WE SHOULD NOT MAKE FUN OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.  WE SHOULD INSTEAD JUST CRY.

As I said before (maybe).  I'm not upset at Mr. Trump, just his supporters.

Gotcha! Absolutely. His supporters can definitely be over the top.

[georgey]

Gotcha! Absolutely. His supporters can definitely be over the top.

I should clarify.  There will always be people like president Trump.  He is fine as long as he is not in a position of political power. I'm not talking about how his supporters behave.  I'm talking about their judgement to put someone like him in as POTUS.

[pencilart3]

Yeah, absolutely

[georgey]

Yeah, absolutely

But not so fast.  I’m just 1 person with an opinion.  Maybe others here that support Mr. Trump can explain why they think he is the right person to be POTUS.  I may be missing some important points.

[fftransform]

Reasonable conversation is pearls for swine when it comes to Trump.  This is the kids-in-cages president.  He is addled, a psychotic narcissist whose main pleasure in life is humiliating women on television.  And not to put too fine a point on it but he's going to do no less than incinerate the planet, which doesn't sit well with me.  You people should listen to La Valse.

[georgey]

I like to try to “mentally” take the side of a Trump supporter and try to understand their reasons for supporting Mr. Trump.  This is why I was hoping a Trump supporter would join in the conversation.  

Here are 2 ideas I came up with.  I might be way off.  Again: Trump supporters?

1)   Stink Bomb Theory - Dems and Republicans can’t get anything done.  Too much gridlock.  Let’s send them a big “stink bomb” (i.e. Mr. Trump) with hopes that this will get them to come together.  

My thoughts – seems like a risky idea that is backfiring.

2)   Gut Instinct Theory - It is impossible to prove ANYTHING.  Example:  How do I prove that there is a table in front of me as I type.  I might be hallucinating the table or I might be dreaming.  Since we can’t prove anything, we are only left with our “gut instinct”.  Is the earth round?  What does my gut tell me?  Did we ever land on the moon?  What does my gut tell me?  Is there global warming?  What does my gut tell me?  Is Donald Trump telling the truth?  A Trump supporter may say that his gut tells him that Trump is telling the truth.  Or if he believes Trump is lying on rare occasion, his gut tells him that Trump's lie is for the good of the country. In fact, Donald Trump appears to often go by his gut instincts.  

My thoughts – My gut tells me to listen to the scientific community when it comes to scientific matters.  My gut also tells me that Mr. Trump is very often untruthful and not for the good of our country or the world.

But what does my gut know?  I'm just 1 person.  Maybe the truth is what the majority decides?  Is the earth round?  Let's vote on it. Or another definition of truth:  The truth is what Mr. Trump decides.  If he later changes his mind on an issue, the truth is his latest statement on the matter unless he says otherwise.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

I point blank refuse to treat Trump with any respect at all.
 
He certainly hasn't earned it: he's a misogynistic, racist, stupid, ignorant boor who can barely speak coherent English, and who panders to violent white supremacist groups and worse.

He deserves all the mockery he can get and he's an embarrassment to America.

[pencilart3]

Fine example of what I'm complaining about. I don't care if you respect the person whatsoever, but I absolutely do care about is saying this

misogynistic, racist, stupid, ignorant boor who can barely speak coherent English

about the POTUS (whom the American people elected, like it or not—and again, I don't really like it).

[ronde_des_sylphes]

a. It's my opinion, and I'm entitled to hold and express it. I assume you don't think I should self-censor or change my opinion?
b. The fact that he was democratically elected doesn't per se absolve him of these criticisms. That he is POTUS doesn't render him a demigod whom we must all genuflect to (even if I suspect he thinks it does, but he's clearly a narcissist - and a sociopath).
c. He is an embarrassment to any progressive society and should be called out for what he is.

[pencilart3]

I assume you don't think I should self-censor

Well, quite frankly, I think some "self-censoring" (some call it self-control) could do some good for us in general. Even if I'm really mad at somebody I know, I don't yell at them or try to hurt them even though I might feel like doing that at the time. Sure, you won't be arrested for letting us all know what your view is in this way (and that's absolutely a good thing, obviously) but I just think it's (at best) distasteful given that he is the POTUS.

Well, I'm pretty much restating myself at this point. That's my 2˘.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Well, firstly I've already exercised some self-control, on the basis that the forum got the polite version of my opinion on him. Secondly, what does his presidential status have to do with anything? I completely fail to see why that means I should act deferentially towards him, or in forming my opinion of him (you, incidentally can view him how you like; that's absolutely your prerogative). But I save my deference for people I respect, and he's absolutely 100% unworthy of my respect.

[georgey]

I understand someone wanting people to respect the office of POTUS.  My question: What respect did Trump's voters give to the office of POTUS when they voted for Trump?  He does not appear to me to to be any different now than when he announced his candidacy.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Respecting the office of POTUS and respecting the individual that holds it are different things. I would argue that Trump disrespects the office, or at least brings it into disrepute. Good lord, the holder is supposed to display some gravitas.

As for respecting the national leader, I don't know if that's some American thing. I can assure you I've got no respect for the UK's PM either. Incompetent beyond belief, and that's just for starters.

[georgey]

Timely quote today from Mr. Trump on climate change.  

Background:
Trump asserted that, contrary to the scientific conclusion that pumping heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere has caused an upward ratcheting of temperatures, he sees it as random unexplainable variation: “I agree the climate changes, but it goes back and forth, back and forth.” When the interviewer noted that scientists have concluded otherwise, Trump asserted his own scientific credentials.

Trump Quote:
“My uncle was a great professor at MIT for many years. Dr. John Trump,” he said. “And I didn’t talk to him about this particular subject, but I have a natural instinct for science, and I will say that you have scientists on both sides of the picture.”

Trump is correct about: “you have scientists on both sides of the picture.”  97% on 1 side and 3% on the other side.  So, he is accurate here.

Note Trumps words “I have a natural instinct for science.”  Trump has another “gut instinct” that goes along with his many other claims to god-like gut or natural instincts on all sorts of subjects that he never studied in any depth.  

“Gut instinct**” is key to Donald Trump and his supporters, at least according to one of my theories.  Is the earth round?  Let’s check with president Trump.  

Of course, this is just my opinion.  I may be missing some very important points and so I would love to hear from the other side.

I'll wait at least until after the mid-term election before posting again in this thread. Don't forget to vote Nov. 6th (if you are eligible**).  

EDIT:
** - "Gut instinct" that is contrary to evidence, I should say, including non-substantiated conspiracy theories, etc..  Example: Trump falsely claimed 3 million illegal votes were cast against him in 2016 election,

[georgey]

Trump quote of the day:

"I'm doing deals and I'm not being accommodated by the Fed," Trump told the Post in an interview. "They're making a mistake because I have a gut and my gut tells me more sometimes than anybody else's brain can ever tell me."

I like the part: "I have a gut and my gut tells me more sometimes than anybody else's brain can ever tell me."

My questions:
1) More what?
2) I wonder which is smarter: Trump's gut or Trump's brain?  

Edit after deep further thought:  
3) Does Trump's brain get along with his gut?  Or do they argue?
Brain:  You are a puppet of Putin
Gut: You're the puppet
Brain: You are a Putin Patsy.  You are a Putsy.
Gut: You're the Putsy

[Bob]

Haha.  Try googling the word "idiot."

[georgey]

Haha.  Try googling the word "idiot."

Haha.

Our president Trump has shut down our government because he can’t get his $5 billion to build part of his wall to separate Mexico and USA.  Senator Schumer is currently offering $0, I think.  I wish he would instead offer Mr. Trump $50 million.  Not sure how many feet of wall this would build, but the price is right.  With 300 million people in USA, this works out to about $0.17 per person.  I would be happy to contribute this $0.17 on behalf of myself and my 2 children: $0.17*3=$0.51.

[mjames]

Peaceful protesting and "respectful disagreements" are for those who are satisfied with the status quo, or at the very least are in a situation where the status quo doesn't negatively affect them. Easy to be some peaceful dissenter when you're some rich upper middle class white bloke. The French have the right idea. Trash the *** place if politicians treat you like sh*t, and if they still aren't listening guillotine them. African Americans too, too bad they don't have enough power and presence in American society else getting gunned down during riots wouldn't be an acceptable consequence.

[Bob]

[georgey]

Peaceful protesting and "respectful disagreements" are for those who are satisfied with the status quo, or at the very least are in a situation where the status quo doesn't negatively affect them. Easy to be some peaceful dissenter when you're some rich upper middle class white bloke. The French have the right idea. Trash the *** place if politicians treat you like sh*t, and if they still aren't listening guillotine them. African Americans too, too bad they don't have enough power and presence in American society else getting gunned down during riots wouldn't be an acceptable consequence.

Q: Peaceful protesting and "respectful disagreements" are for those who are satisfied with the status quo, or at the very least are in a situation where the status quo doesn't negatively affect them.

A: Perhaps.  But what about Ghandi?

Q: Easy to be some peaceful dissenter when you're some rich upper middle class white bloke.

A: Rich??  Retired 3 years ago at age 57 – now a comfortable poor lower-middle.

Q. The French have the right idea. Trash the *** place if politicians treat you like sh*t, and if they still aren't listening guillotine them. African Americans too, too bad they don't have enough power and presence in American society else getting gunned down during riots wouldn't be an acceptable consequence.

A: I admit I’m not suffering at this time.  Except, I can’t seem to adjust to a POTUS that appears to me to be unfit to hold the office of POTUS. I don’t think violence is the answer in our case.

Perhaps now it is time to DRAIN THE SWAMP. Perhaps POTUS will now have some oversight. 

EDIT:
But Maybe POTUS has done nothing wrong.  Let's wait and see what happens in the next year or two before passing final judgement.  I'm hoping POTUS did nothing wrong.

[mjames]

Lmao, Gandhi. Yeah people sure love that example. As if being nice to your colonialist is a good thing. Your rights and personal well-being shouldn't be things you compromise over. That's my view.

[georgey]

Lmao, Gandhi. Yeah people sure love that example. As if being nice to your colonialist is a good thing. Your rights and personal well-being shouldn't be things you compromise over. That's my view.

MLK?

[mjames]

Assassinated and black Americans (and Natives) still face immense structural discrimination despite racism being "illegal." Sanitized revolutions accomplish very little.

Imagine if the hippies were actually serious about their views, we wouldn't still have companies destroying ecosystems through oil spills, deforestation, pollution, and other crap. Or occupy wall street and other similar movements, maybe political powers would care about us working longer hours for the same wages to accommodate inflation and rising costs of living. But no, what people still get are tax cuts for the wealthy, the wealthy hording and occupying more wealth for themselves, resulting in greater income inequality where the working class' ability to spend weakens - but maybe if Americans sit outside Congress with "enough is enough" signs this time they will really listen. Not you know ignore it and keep supporting policies against the working class because the ones giving them donations tell them to.
 
The French have their priorities straight.

[Bob]

Here you go.   Here are your worms.     Who's not finishing off that phrase after this?

[georgey]

Sorry guys for bringing up this topic – no one reads this anyway.  BELOW is a Tweet from our president Mr. Trump 6 hours ago.  It is in 4 parts.  73k loves the first part, 18k loves the 2nd part, 52k loves the 3rd part. 57k loves the 4th part.

My question to the many supporters of our president:  Why only 18k likes for the 2nd part?  I can see the number of likes dying down as some supporters may lose interest on the later parts.  But the number of likes goes way down for part 2, then way up for parts 3 and 4.

My question to the 52k – 18k = 34k people that likes the 3rd part, but not the 2nd part is this:

All aboard the Trump Train! HOW DARE YOU NOT LIKE THE 2nd PART SHOWN BELOW?  TRUST ME – YOU CAN’T INVESTIGATE AND LEGISLATE AT THE SAME TIME! 
IT JUST DOESN’T WORK THAT WAY!

I ask that you please think of trains as my proof of this.............................


Oh well..... Anyway – things will work out as they should in the long run.
_________________________________________________________________________
@realDonaldTrump
 6h6 hours ago
 (1 of 4)
So sad that Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer will never be able to see or understand the great promise of our Country. They can continue the Witch Hunt which has already cost $40M and been a tremendous waste of time and energy for everyone in America, or get back to work....
20,196 replies 18,690 retweets 73,697 likes
_________________________________________________________________________
(2 of 4)
....But they really want a do-over! You can’t investigate and legislate simultaneously - it just doesn’t work that way. You can’t go down two tracks at the same time. Let Chuck, Nancy, Jerry, Adam and all of the rest finish playing their games....
4,959 replies 5,760 retweets 18,253 likes
_________________________________________________________________________
(3 of 4)
....In the meantime, my Administration is achieving things that have never been done before, including unleashing perhaps the Greatest Economy in our Country’s history....
6,357 replies 11,342 retweets 52,225 likes
_________________________________________________________________________
(4 of 4)
....Democrat leadership is tearing the United States apart, but I will continue to set records for the American People – and Nancy, thank you so much for your prayers, I know you truly mean it!
12,667 replies 14,057 retweets 57,579 likes

[Bob]

One thing I've picked up is to not try to find a reason in the irrational.  Things can be irrational.  They don't make sense.  There is no reason behind it (although in politics, there may be a real reason that purposely obscured). 

I wouldn't trust anything with twitter votes.  If anything can be influenced, it's social media like that.

The worst thing I heard last with him is that the Mueller report not being so damning gives him a boost for running again in 2020.  I always figured he'd definitely be out and the Republicans would put anyone else up.  But then he's the current President, so having the current one run again makes sense too (except that it's Trump, and it would kind of seem like they can't find anyone at all better than that?).

[georgey]

Today our president delivered a beautiful letter to Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of our house.  Below is a link to this letter.  I am proud of our president and I am proud of everyone that voted for him.  Mr. Trump is a beautiful man.  I encourage all to read this letter.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/read-president-trumps-letter-protesting-impeachment/2188475/

[perfect_pitch]

Today our president delivered a beautiful letter to Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of our house.  Below is a link to this letter.  I am proud of our president and I am proud of everyone that voted for him.  Mr. Trump is a beautiful man.  I encourage all to read this letter.

I'll admit, I'm not an American... so you are more than welcome to take what I say with a grain of salt (or sugar even).

1) I think there are VERY few people proud of President Trump
2) I think the only thing beautiful about him is the fact that he manages to keep that toupe on every day.
3) You realise the biggest trend on Twitter right now is #ImpeachmentEve; guess what the 2nd biggest Trend on Twitter: #ImpeachAndRemove

Americans themselves don't seem to happy about him.

[thalbergmad]

I am not an American but I fail to see the point of this impeachment as it is not going to remove him from office.
It is certainly not going to dampen the love of his supporters.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I am not an American but I fail to see the point of this impeachment as it is not going to remove him from office.
It is certainly not going to dampen the love of his supporters.

Same

He’s gonna finish his term and even if he gets removed we still got pence

[georgey]

I am not an American but I fail to see the point of this impeachment as it is not going to remove him from office.
It is certainly not going to dampen the love of his supporters.

Agreed.  I was hoping that after the impeachment inquiry, the Democrats would publish a report of their findings with an announcement that the impeachment vote would be on hold until bipartisan support was given for the impeachment, if ever.  Bipartisan support meaning several Republican senators would announce their support for impeachment.  Also, I was hoping that the Democrats would go to court to compel first hand witnesses to testify after announcing the impeachment is on hold.

As much as I support the efforts of the Democrats so far, I hope that their efforts do not result in helping Mr. Trump get re-elected.  I worry about what Mr. Trump might do if re-elected.  He appears to be emboldened to break laws every time he perceives that he got away with impeachable conduct.

[Bob]

I am not an American but I fail to see the point of this impeachment as it is not going to remove him from office.
It is certainly not going to dampen the love of his supporters.

I figured it was a sign of where the edge is.  At some point enough Republicans disagreed with going along with him.  If the Democrats are like that too, it means they were trying to impeach as soon he was in office, but that would be the same thing the other side would have done regardless of who was in office.


On the positive side, we're coming up on a year until he's gone.

[dogperson]

Impeachment was included as a delegated responsibility in the US Constitution to address an abuse of powers by the Executive branch. The intent was to be able to address those abuses irrespective of policy decisions or the length of the remaining term. As it should be non-political, the question should not be ‘will impeachment occur’  but ‘what is the right way to  uphold the constitutional mandate assigned to the legislative branch of government’ in the constitution.

 In this case, the argument has also been made that, as the supposed abuse affects the next election, it needed to be stopped prior to the election so the results are not questionable. 

[georgey]

Impeachment was included as a delegated responsibility in the US Constitution to address an abuse of powers by the Executive branch. The intent was to be able to address those abuses irrespective of policy decisions or the length of the remaining term. As it should be non-political, the question should not be ‘will impeachment occur’  but ‘what is the right way to  uphold the constitutional mandate assigned to the legislative branch of government’ in the constitution.

 In this case, the argument has also been made that, as the supposed abuse affects the next election, it needed to be stopped prior to the election so the results are not questionable.

All good points.  But some (mostly on the Republican side) may argue that we need to hear from first hand witnesses first. We know that the President has refused to allow these witnesses to testify and to turn over ANY requested documents.  However, currently there is an abundance of evidence to support the Democrat's claims.

“In this case, the argument has also been made that, as the supposed abuse affects the next election, it needed to be stopped prior to the election so the results are not questionable.”

True – but nothing will be stopped if the senate acquits the President.  In fact – I imagine that Mr. Trump will be emboldened to do much worse if he is acquitted by the Senate.

Would it have been unreasonable to wait until the courts ruled on turning over documents and compelling first hand witnesses to testify?  Would it be inconsistent with the constitution to wait to gather additional evidence to convince the Republican Senators and the public “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the president needs to be removed from office?  The Democrats plan may backfire in the upcoming election, I fear.  But MAYBE NOT.  It’s a tough call.