Trump Hates Canada for its Decency
The president lacks basic decency, and loathes people who do
Narcissism is an obvious candidate for "why".
Stupidity? I don't think he can be stupid: he has taken over the richest country in history, after all...
There are links in the seed.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Trade policy mavens sometimes use numeric shorthand that refers to relevant parts of the Trade Act of 1974, which spells out situations in which the president has the right to impose tariffs. There's Section 201, giving temporary relief to an industry that is being hurt by an import surge. There's Section 232, protecting an industry vital to national security. There's Section 301, responding to subsidies or other practices that give foreign producers an unfair advantage.
The tariffs Donald Trump just imposed on Canada and Mexico — nations with whom he himself signed a free trade agreement — don't fit any of these categories. Maybe they're Section 000, meaning that the president has simply lost his mind. Or maybe they're Section 666: he's just evil.
The newspapers this morning all contain analysis pieces trying to explain why Trump is imposing 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico. You can see the writers struggling, because this is a profoundly self-destructive move — it will impose huge, possibly devastating costs on U.S. manufacturing, while significantly raising the cost of living — without any visible justification. Yet the conventions of mainstream journalism make it hard to say directly that the president's actions are just vindictive and senseless.
To its credit, the New York Times analysis comes closest, acknowledging that for some reason Trump personally loathes Canada, a nation most of the world stereotypes as "nice." Obviously not every Canadian is a nice person. But Canadians are relatively courteous on average, and the country's social and economic policies are relatively decent by international standards.
And it seems clear to me that Trump hates them for their decency.
To be fair, there are some efforts to explain what's happening that go beyond Trump's personal pathology. Some Canadians think Trump covets their mineral wealth. And there's always the possibility that Trump knows how big Canada looks on standard maps, unaware both of the way that its land area is exaggerated by the Mercator projection and the fact that much of it is tundra, and thinks, "Real estate!"
Trump also goes on about Canada's trade surplus with the United States, which he keeps saying is $200 billion a year — it's actually less than a third that size. And nobody has offered a coherent justification for his claim that when Canada sells us cheap oil and electricity, we are somehow subsidizing them .
In any case, efforts to find some kind of economic justification for Trump's Canada-hatred have the feeling of desperate efforts to avoid the obvious. Canada is a pretty decent place, as nations go. And Trump, whom nobody would describe as a decent person, dislikes and maybe even fears people who are.
I mean, look at the people Trump has chosen to play prominent roles in his administration. I guess if you search hard enough you can find officials without a sex scandal, a financial scandal, a history of anti-semitism or racism, or a record of substance abuse in a senior position. But it isn't easy. It really looks as if being vile is a fundamental job qualification.
And so we're having a trade war. Trump appears to believe that we don't need anything from Canada. Automobile manufacturers who rely on Canadian parts, Midwestern oil refineries that rely on Canadian oil, builders who rely on Canadian lumber, households that rely on Canadian hydropower for their electricity will soon learn otherwise.
Trump may imagine that he can bully Canada into submission. But he can't; Canadians of all political persuasions are furious. Doug Ford, the conservative premier of Ontario, has the right atttitude: he has threatened to cut off U.S. electricity "with a smile on my face." And remember that Canada can't concede to U.S. demands, even if it were in a mood to do so (which it very much isn't) because there aren't any coherent U.S. demands; Canada has done nothing wrong!
So I don't know how this ends. But U.S. voters will soon be feeling real pain, and I very much doubt that it will end in a Trump victory.
No attacks on people, please.
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Pundits (including amateurs like everyone here on NT) spend lots of time trying to understand WHY Donald does all the crazy stuff he does.
Professional pundits, too...
Because he's insane? Selfish? Petty? Vindictive? Egomaniacal? Or maybe just because he's an @$$hole?
... all of the above.
All of the above, plus the fact that he is simply stupid.
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Dow falls 800 points as Trump’s tariffs threaten a dangerous trade war
Dow falls 800 points as Trump’s tariffs threaten a dangerous trade war | CNN Business
Great for the economy, eh?
That's what we were told
I'm still waiting for the price of eggs and groceries to drop.
Markets falling are not necessarily indicative of a depression, especially when they are as overbought as US markets have been.
That said, prolonged downturns of more than a couple of weeks in financial markets will definitely put pressure on Trump to halt tariffs.
Trump cannot run again. He cares not if the economy tanks.
Short bet on margins on a sure thing is a hedge fund dream!
He does care about the economy tanking because that affects him personally. It also will cause his base to turn on him and he needs their support.
The problem is that Trump is a stubborn buffoon who always thinks he is the smartest guy in the room and thus does not learn.
Let's don't forget his ego. He can handle anger and hatred from the left. He really likes the adoration he gets from the right, but that's going to fade pretty quickly if the markets continue to slide.
You're pretending his unbridled hubris is going to let him take that loss? Have you paid any attention to him at all?
You don't need to fabricate Trump faults as though they're part of some hidden conspiracy. He wears his faults on the outside, like medals on a lapel. Pick a couple obvious ones and stick to those points.
Do you really believe a little thing like the Constitution would stop him?
I doubt that. He's completely insulated.
Not from this. A tanking economy causes him to lose support from his cult. It causes his stocks to drop. It causes his businesses to be less profitable. It pisses off his aristocratic 'buddies'.
Plus I believe there are many people who voted for Trump naively who would turn on him as soon as they realize he is NOT operating in their best interests.
Good points. And yet... he has record of dumping anyone - friends, allies, advisors, ... who contadicts him, or even tells him truths he doesn't like.
His bubble is armored.
Six weeks into his presidency?
There is incredible $ in betting on predetermined outcomes...
Hedge funds are itching for an olde fashioned gop recession.
The gears are already grinding on our international economy!
Yeah and the author of this article predicted a depression when Trump won in 2016. Doh!
But hey, even a busted clock is right twice a day.
As any good hedge fund manager knows-- predetermined outcomes are predetermined-- until they're not!
(If it was so easy to get rich in the market-- why aren't we all doing it?)
How much time should we allow? 6 weeks in & he's already sparking trade wars, pissing off our allies and cozying up to our enemies. And he still finds time to play golf. Instead of golfing, perhaps he should be figuring out how to drop egg prices.
He said many times during the campaign that he would lower grocery prices on day one of his presidency and end the Ukraine war within 24 hours. You believed him, right?
Promises made, promises broken.
It’s funny watching my friends on the left flip flop around on things like this. A year or two into Bidens term they still were blaming Trump for rising, even historically high inflation. Now six weeks into Trumps term higher costs are still Trumps fault.
It’s quite illogical really.
I believed his policy would take step to ease costs and inflation. Not exacerbate it like Biden did. If Trump owns high costs six weeks into his term, Biden owns the historically high inflation that helped cause it.
You can run but you can’t hide.[✘]
I fail to see what relevance that has.
And no one is surprised.
I know
The only way egg prices will drop is when the chicks become hens and start laying. From what I understand it doesn't take long for a chick to mature into a laying hen. I could be wrong.
If trmp had any kind of knowledge about anything he could tell the American people this.
You're a "chick", right??
Usually takes 20-26 weeks before they start laying consistently, dependent on breed.
Yeahhhh...but I'm past the egg laying days
That's what I thought. So the chicks hatched in January should be producing by June or so
Yes, "Yada Yada Yada", that is generally true. Except, in this case we talking about The President of the United States, who has absolute power to effect and thus to predict outcomes...
A PotUS can certainly effect negative outcomes.
As well as positive...............
It is very difficult for a PotUS to positively affect the economy but rather easy for a PotUS to negatively affect the economy.
Trump is illustrating this right now. He inherited an economy that was in great shape except for prices and interest rates. He promised to lower prices on day one. Instead, he has instituted across-the-board tariffs.
There are very few measures a PotUS can take to reduce prices in a market economy such as:
So if, for example, the USA had a high tariff on imported fruits and vegetables that are not available domestically, reducing the tariff would have a direct, short-term affect on prices.
Now, on the flipside, a PotUS can make mistakes that would directly increase prices in a market economy such as imposing an across-the-board 25% tariff on our closest trading partners. That has a short-term effect of higher prices. But, worse, it has a medium-term effect on the economy itself. Higher prices result in less consumption which results in less production. The economy slows and all the bad effects of same ensue. Hopefully you are not in the market to build a new home or buy a new car (among many other things).
Trump is doing the exact opposite of what he was elected to do. It will have short, medium, and long-term effects and none of them are good.
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Please don't say you're a "boiling hen" ! /s
lol
I'm going with Section 666 tho he ought to be classified Section 8.
Everybody say hello to higher energy costs! We missed you so much!
I don' t think enough gets said about this.
He is imposing tariffs supposedly to make trade fairer, correcting trade agreements HE negotiated.
Gas prices jumped over night. The Murphy Oil station near me was 2.62 from before trmp took office. As of this morning it was 3.23
Just filled up, still $2.60 at the Costco here in northern Michigan.
Must be a regional thing. $2.56 at Circle K in central NC
$2.90 to $3 range here depending on grade in the middle of the big empty .
Thing i also keep in mind , this is the time of year they switch from winter grade to summer grade gas , and some places havent started the switch over yet . so supply and demand is also to be factored in .
Side note , i have been enjoying a seasonably unusual warm spell here for a couple weeks with temps ranging from mid 40s and even up to almost 60 degrees here locally a couple of days , and today i got up to winters return , fresh snow( yes that 4 letter word) and mid 30s for now .
2.64 here at the local Walmart, and with a Walmart plus account it drops to 2.54.
$2.42 here
$3.61 here in Phoenix but that's because we get our gas from California.
Walmart doesnt sell gas here, but then again there are 13 gas stations for a burg of just over 14 k residents .
Gas is $2.85 at BP in The Bronx because we get our gas from New Fucking York City! What the actual fuck is wrong with Arizona?
You must go to an obscure one then. Lowest I see is $3.10
https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=3ec8625b255dccb3&rlz=1C1CHZN_enUS988US988&tbm=lcl&sxsrf=AHTn8zppCUJqGtUlsx4bc1zATNQjKjbVrw:1741280183708&q=gas+prices+bronx+ny&rflfq=1&num=10&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwjGnLeW9vWLAxWgmYQIHVoHJQ4QjGp6BAgmEAE&biw=1354&bih=723&dpr=1#rlfi=hd:;si:;mv:[[40.9148625,-73.8192206],[40.7756087,-73.9523164]];tbs:lrf:!1m4!1u3!2m2!3m1!1e1!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:3[ ✘ ]
Same here yesterday. We had a 20 degree drop in about an hour. 48 to 28 plus a couple inches of snow. Not unusual for northern Michigan in March. Not at all.
I believe that question was already answered.
Arizona never allowed a refinery to be built in the state. The southern half of the state gets their gas from Texas and the northern half gets theirs from California.
Lol $5.76 here
I'm looking forward to seeing what's going to happen to the American bravado once the pain starts to be felt.
Small family farmers are already screaming since the USAID cuts. This will hurt even more. I have friends in farming communities. It's going to be a really bad summer for a lot of people.
How many billions of your tax paid dollars did it take to bail out the soy bean farmers the last time Trump pulled off this kind of debacle.
And a really bad winter for the farmers in California and Florida when Canada buys from Mexico instead of from them.
He paid farmers direct assistance in excess of $32 billion. Only. I don't know if it all went to soy bean farmers.
Just an example of the backlash for stupidly imposing tariffs. It's possible now that "you ain't seen nothin' yet".
I'm sure we haven't.
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It amazes me how many people are engaging in ludicrous levels of wishful thinking with Trump. It is as though they see how he is fucking things up but cannot bring themselves to accept reality so they pretend he is a magical superhero genius and his promised good results will manifest somehow even though they do not see how it is possible.
This is just amazing (and sickening) to watch.
Please expound with a list of those "things"..............thanks
It's beyond amazing and my recent experiences all seem to have some common denominators, as in watching, reading, or listening to Kelly Ann CON ways and means to make it seems that there can actually be two totally different versions of the TRUTH, and since that truth being something that would be false, they truthfully tend to choose to not even entertain the thought, that theirs are continually being bought and brought about to allow for others to blame, for either their own inn securities and or shame, to not have to be face about which wrinkles in the disgrace of what is the true actual reality when so much is thrown in the way via legality and or just the plurality that within the repetitive motions, their reflex is now fueled by emotions that lead to a roller coaster ride with an accelerator inside and as the harder they step on this pedal, the more the spreaders of lies and thighs tend to sit up in bed and meddle, to offer even more lies, in this burning bed of desire, as in NO! No desire to even entertain that which they have been fed is not the only way and actual say, in so many matters and furthered every day in a most believable unbelievable way, and a way that is so WAY OUT as it WEIGHS IN on logic and reason, for both have worn thin through thick skullz bored. Cause the lord they have adored has scored with his ability dat truly is amazing in sew many weighs as it tears the ethical strings and morality rings of a 'truth' so far bazaar, wear be the feathers and tar, cause what has been produced from A Lar Go Mar, has done Great Again Making America Hate Again by confusing realities with a vast amount of stripped up tease, as buckled are knees that have caught the alternate fax disease that has divided this country, almost in and buy half, like worshipping Trumps Golden Calf, then being told due to recently discovered updated math, that there are now two, leaving the reality that Trump should not have a leg to stand on, yet instead, we see a 'man' controlling the masses via manipulation through religious and any and all means, while the antithesis of any such celestial beings worthy of worship, as his is a warship battling reality to enrich the upper echelon by LYING about so much so often to so many,
so many it seems that are not allowed to hear aloud about that which should not make any of US proud
As the reality switch up about how The Trumpian Oligarchy Show is making so much off of the backs of the people, and all as so many choose not to know the actual story. Possibly cause it gets gory and is not very pretty, as they choose to not even read or watch all sides of this, as in the East, and in thew West Side Story, the jets jumped the sharks while Chumley tricked Tennessee into B leaving that from out of Mr. Whoopis' closet, a Gatlin Gun produced would be able to take down a nuclear super power, getting weaker every hour our country chooses not to look at all sides of the story, because they wish not to even have to think about how there is so much evidence that they are indeed most definitely wrong and have been betrayed by one that had given them an excuse as to why they only achieved so much in life, and it can cut like a dull slow knife, when thought about how it might be they, they that is the reason why they must say, I am the reason I am where I am at today ! It is not because of illegals, immigrants legal or not, people of color, of different religions race or creed, it is because of ME, and my choices not to accept and seek out all the contexts to consider before written is what is wrong, as that is much much worse, that is if I have to explain this through a Song, a song sung so low and long, before through, every fckn one of US
would be forced to say So Long
Totally delusional. Two years from now he will probably be out of business and lose the farm to one of the industrial farming conglomerates.
This is a small forum. I have provided substantial details on what Trump is fucking up and the reasoning why. Pay attention.
Rather than spend my time summarizing a list for you to ignore, let's just focus on one very key, important fuck up: tariffs.
Go ahead, Jim, give us your best shot. Explain why it is in the best interest of the USA for Trump to gratuitously impose across-the-board 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada.
Remains to be seen. Patience is a you problem, it seems, not a general population problem. Sorry but I don't buy into "he's gonna" bullshit crystal ball reading.
I find it interesting, that as much as you have bloviated in the past here that Presidents can’t affect the economy that much by themselves but now suddenly Trump has that ability.
So which is it?
And there you have it. You ignore all my questions, offer no rebuttal, offer no explanation, and basically illustrate what I have noted:
I have stated repeatedly that a PotUS has limited ways to improve an economy (especially if the economy is in good shape) but that a PotUS has myriad ways to fuck up a good economy.
If you are going to try to recount what I write, I suggest you pay better attention.
In fact, coincidentally, I just made that point again yesterday right here in this seed:
Well one potUS was trying to lower prices for the average American, you know, probably the main LIE that got trump in office. I don't recall TiG saying the President CAN'T affect the economy. Cause it's obvious their actions as in say starting a WAR$ would definitely cause prices to shoot up. Trump is a dope dealer, as prices are shooting up all over all of a sudden and many more to follow, because this 47 has a cranium hollow and deformed,as a senile failing Biden did pretty damn well, and time is gonna certainly tell, and though i don't need an 'i told ya so", as i'd rather see US succeed , just find that with trump, that is very hard to believe.
So sorry. I understand what you have written and, as always, it is your opinion along with the other doomsayers out there. My glass is half full.
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[deleted] [✘] You spent four years defended Biden fucking up the economy. Meanwhile Trump hasn’t even been in office two months and it’s the end of the world.
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Now you play the 'it is just your opinion ' card. That is such a feeble tactic.
Yeah, Jim, we are all opining here. But my opinion in this case is backed by logic and facts. I just asked you a series of probative questions all rooted in facts that anyone can easily verify. You refuse to answer my questions. You refuse to illustrate where you think I am wrong. All you have done is claim, with no supporting argument, that we should just wait and see. W I S H F U L T H I N K I N G
And that is exactly what I was referring to when I wrote this:
You are busted so you dishonestly change the subject. And worse, you are still lying about what I have written. Finally, as usual with Trump supporters IMO, you exaggerate criticism made of Trump. The level of dishonesty involved in these pathetic attempts to defend Trump is sickening.
Again, the results need to be seen. And yes, I do think we should wait and see. To get worked up over "what if's" isn't healthy and I would further posit that you are reading things that support your views. Therefore, the fact that it is your opinion has no fucking effect on ANYONE but you and like doomsayers.
With that said, I would like to unsubscribe from"The Chronicles of TiG" have a great day!!
You don't say......
Have you seen this? AP News
But these 48 hours worth of tariffs almost marked the end of western civilization.
Yet again with the wishful thinking ... the unsubstantiated hope that magically these stupid acts by Trump will manifest in a historically unique positive manner.
Do Markets prefer stability or volatility ? Which is Trump providing ?
Cause your ever moving goal posts, down plays of exaggerations so grand by a Con Man who should be canned for his deeds done as 45, keep alive, the quickening death of this democracy with a blinded vision that enables you to see positively right through it all that 45 has done, and 47 is doing, cause we're heade up shitz creek with no paddle, no other paddle, as on the rocks we stradle with out even a canoe, as we wait for trump to ntrrow US another Life Saver Preserver to Anchor US, yet, all we get,
is a damn Certz with Retzin
Typical exaggeration of criticism. A feeble strawman tactic.
Trump does not know what he is doing. He imposes ill-conceived (brain dead stupid) tariffs and then changes his mind and walks them back. This is some major league incompetence at play.
I hope he walks them all back soon. My discussions with financial analysts suggest the collective expectation is that these tariffs will not have staying power and that Trump will be forced to back off in the short term. I hope they are correct.
IIRC trump said that any POTUS in power when the stock market lost 1000 points needed to be impeached ...
Trump supporters never seem to hold Trump accountable for anything he says.
And Trump routinely contradicts himself.
Do you really expect them to knowing them for what they are?
Sooooo wrong...........
It's sarcasm. Which is by far the most appropriate response to stubborn hysterical irrationality.
*sigh*
The more accurate statement is you don't know what he's doing, and it's driving you crazy. I'm not sure I know what his plan is either, but I'm willing to be patient and see how things unfold.
One thing is easy to spot. A lifelong politician who spent his entire career giving away other people's money has been replaced by a businessman who has spent his career negotiating deal, driving hard bargains, and refusing to be taken advantage of.
I think we all hope they end soon. But I think most of us would like to see Canada eliminate the tariffs they had in place before Trump, as well.
It is very difficult to tell nowadays given the comments we see.
You know enough about how this works to realize that his tariffs will lead to nothing good. Any good that can be attributed to this (e.g. 'imposing tariffs is a bargaining tool to soften up trading partners for negotiation') could be accomplished in substantially more productive ways. It makes no sense to publicly trash trade partners, threaten them with tariffs before having any negotiation, impose absurd across-the-board tariffs, back-off / delay same, etc. There is no magical plan because Trump is NOT a genius. He is a buffoon who has made a career conning and bullying people while demonstrating gross incompetence. He is not smart, not competent ... his super power is the con; he is a very good demagogue.
I could support a wait and see philosophy if the PotUS had a sterling track record and a reputation for being a genius-level out-of-the-box thinking strategist / diplomat. Then there is some reasonable hope that this genius does indeed have a successful plan in spite of the brain-dead-stupid appearance of his/her actions.
But that is NOT Trump. Not by a long-shot.
Canada is a long-term friend and trade partner. Trump could certainly renegotiate and modify the terms he negotiated with them in his first term. They could sit down and work out a deal. There is no need for this braggadocios bullying and childish taunting. It is counterproductive and produces both short term and long term damage with no realistic good to justify such stupid tactics.
Not necessarily. There are several scenarios where they could have some limited benefits.
He doesn't have to be a genius. He can be a complete moron and things will still probably not go as badly as you seem to fear.
I stick with the wait and see philosophy for several reasons:
I think people fly right over the key fact that the deals we have with Canada and Mexico currently are deals Trump put in place. So as far as I can tell the question "why didn't you do this right the first time?" is perfectly legitimate, but I don't see many people talking about it.
I realize you don't like that, but it's how he got elected.
If the American people wanted somebody to act like a traditional president and negotiate in traditional ways, they would have elected Mitt Romney or Michael Bloomberg.
What are these scenarios?
And, by the way, limited benefits is a low bar. My point is that these tariffs are a huge mistake and that any benefits from these can be achieved through better means with less downside.
Yeah, Trump might wind up improving our GDP, lowering prices, and establishing great foreign relationships. Fantastic possibilities are a waste of time IMO. What is likely is what we should be discussing. And my comments are not fear (emotion) but rather analysis. So explain why you are defending Trump here. Why would you, if PotUS, take actions like this rather than sit down and negotiate in private?
Do you like it? Do you think it accomplishes more good than bad? Do you think it is one of the better ways for a PotUS to operate?
For all the fuss about free trade, Canada has a lot of tariffs on US goods that predate Trump. So eliminating those and letting US businesses compete fairly would be a good start. Other possibilities might include immigration concessions or increased funding to common interests like NATO.
Agreed. Used the phrase intentionally.
Maybe. But it's fair to point out they have not been achieved through those means thus far.
GDP improvement is more probable than not. I don't think foreign relations will be damaged as much as people think. World leaders don't think like you or I do, and projecting our interpretation of comments or events onto them is folly.
Also, I think a large number of people don't care what other nations think of us. Many Americans feel that many foreign countries have been taking advantage of our generosity for years and it's time for us to stand up for ourselves. That's why DOGE has as much support as it does. However you or I may feel about that idea, neither of us was in the majority vote, so we're along for the ride.
Stop this bullshit right here.
It would not be my preferred method of working, no, but I obviously object to it much less than you do. I voted for Romney and would have voted for Bloomberg.
The question of better ways for a POTUS to operate is academic, IMO. The pertinent question revolves around the best way for Trump to operate.
Whether or not the American people should have elected him or not doesn't matter at this point. They did. He's our guy. We may not think much of the quarterback, but we still want the team to win. So the strategies need to revolve around whatever is the best way to set him up for the highest chance at success. You don't make Tom Brady run the ball and you don't make Tim Tebow throw it. Trump is not a nice guy, so demanding he act like one is going to go badly.
That is not what I meant. I was not talking about areas where we could renegotiate but rather scenarios other than just imposing across-the-board tariffs prior to any meaningful negotiations. I recognize that there are plenty of ways in which the USA and Canada could change the trade agreement. Too bad we do not have a PotUS who can sit down like a rational diplomat and engage in private negotiation.
What specifically are we trying to achieve that requires bullying, trolling, threats, and then an across-the-board tariff? I think it is fair to point out that there are plenty of better ways to negotiate a new deal with a long-term friend and one of our closest trade partners.
Sure, if Trump were to golf 365 days a year the USA would almost certainly continue to improve our GDP. I am referring to Trump taking specific actions that improve our GDP more than normal volition.
The term 'as much as people think' is nebulous. My comment is that Trump is and indeed has damaged international relationships. We can go through each nation, but it should be painfully obvious that the US-Canada relationship had been significantly damaged.
You are trying to argue that the Trump tariffs could be net good for this nation and that we should give Trump the benefit of the doubt. You try to counter every criticism made of Trump's tariffs, his treatment of Ukraine, and related actions. You may not realize it, but that is defending Trump because what he is doing is so extremely stupid. This would be entirely different if the debate was between different ideological approaches where both sides do indeed have debatable good and bad points and there is no clear right vs. wrong. Public bullying of allies and trade partners rather than private negotiations is just plain stupid, there are no redeeming qualities here.
I would certainly hope not.
Every question is academic. Trump is in control.
Yes we want the team to win. So if the quarterback is ineffectively changing called plays, making wild passes that are being routinely intercepted or missed, etc. we will criticize that QB. And, given enough, hopefully, we will rid ourselves of the QB and give the team a chance to actually win.
It would be a far smarter strategy for Trump to NOT impose tariffs (for example), to NOT claim Ukraine started the war (for example), etc. and instead use that time to play golf. But Trump is going to do what he wants (change called plays, throw wild passes) and there really are no strategies other than finding ways to reign him in. That was done to a degree in his first term. This term Trump nominated only sycophants and Congress has abdicated its checks & balances responsibility.
He has a wrecking ball style. Biden had a feeble old man style. Obama had a Harvard lawyer style and W had sort of an amiable cowboy style.
He's not going to change his personality at 78. It's not my favorite thing, but it's not worth winding myself in a knot over it.
And we see that differently, so there really isn't any need to beat that dead horse.
Interrupting your hysteria is not defending Trump. Multiple scenarios exist where we could emerge from this tariff arrangement with an overall improved trade situation. That's a fact. I realize you hate that fact like it was iron spike in your forehead, but it's still a fact.
The problem being you actually have to wait and see whether the play works or not, which you are utterly unwilling to do. If by chance a play does ever work, you immediately rant about how another play would have worked better.
You will almost never see me disagree with the idea that our country would be much better off if all of our elected representatives spent most of their time playing golf... preferably in another country.... out of cell phone range.
Scott Bessent is widely discussed among financial professionals as the most capable treasury secretary in a century. Considering the qualities of both Yellen and Mnuchin, that's very high praise.
Glad I could help your fantasy.
Rock on dude.
I agree, you should not wind yourself in a knot over it. What you should do is recognize it and factor that into your analysis. Which is what I have done.
It is amazing that you actually admit that you do not think Trump has damaged international relationships. The news is replete with commentary from international officials explaining everything from shock at what Trump is doing to anger and retaliatory actions. But you somehow never see this.
Again with the dishonest exaggerations. You just defended Trump and you apparently cannot even see it. You claim that Trump has not damaged international relationships. Just incredible.
The QB in the analogy is changing the play and fucking things up with bad passes and interceptions. We are watching Trump's plays. We are watching them fail. Using the analogy, you would be the head coach saying that you will wait until the end of the game before you decide the QB was fucking up.
... has agreed to work for Trump. He is not calling the shots. He either has integrity and will resign soon or he is just another lackey holding on to his position by always agreeing with Trump.
Being that easily "amazed" is not something I would brag about.
And they always say exactly what they're really thinking. Nothing they say publicly is ever just for show. They don't pander to their constituents or anything. Riiiiight.
So is your definition of "damaged international relations" basically "said something somebody somewhere might not like"?
Only in your mind.
It is somehow "incredible" that someone might have a different opinion than you. Do you hear yourself? Seriously. Have a fuckin' scotch or something. Better yet have four.
The play isn't done yet. You're going to have to wait and see how it actually turns out.
Oh FFS. Complete batshit lunacy. I don't think you understand how far off the deep end this is.
Excellent response and perfectly on point rebuttal.
Another perfectly on point rebuttal.
Well I find it amazing that you actually believe that Trump has not damaged international relationships.
No, I have explained this numerous times to you. But, of course, it is easier for you to invent a strawman rather than engage me honestly.
Trump has damaged international relationships by proving that USA would actually elect someone who will treat them as adversaries to be manipulated rather than as friendly trade partners. A PotUS who would publicly insult and demean rather than engage in private diplomatic negotiations.
And beyond trade, we see this with Ukraine and NATO. Trump has violated the long-standing understanding that the USA is the centerpiece of NATO, the leader of the free world and has sided with Russia in direct violation of its promise to Ukraine and the rest of the free world.
Get a grip. Your arguments are not persuasive so you resort to making ridiculous personal attacks like claiming my mind is addled.
It is incredible that you would actually claim that Trump has not damaged international relationships. And it is funny too given you also insist that you are not defending Trump. Your posts are growing increasingly shrill. Take a breath and try to engage me honestly and with substantially less emotion.
Yeah, you keep trying to change the analogy. The QB changing the play from the OC is akin to Trump violating established practices of the USA. The QB throwing an interception is akin to Trump publicly threatening tariffs. It also is akin to Trump imposing tariffs and then changing his mind when the market dips and industrial leaders warn of troubled times. These are the plays that tell us that this QB is taking actions that are likely to be net bad. The net bad is akin to losing the game. As head coach, you can wait until the game is over before recognizing that the QB basically lost the game, or you could recognize that before the game is lost. That is, you can keep pretending that Trump's stupid actions will turn out to be genius moves until forced by reality to recognize that they were indeed stupid.
You are waaaay too emotional here. Trump's cabinet and advisors have been selected primarily based on Trump's perceived loyalty. Anyone who opposes Trump will soon lose their position. So if Besset holds his integrity he will necessarily disagree with many of Trump's moves and will be pushed out. If he continues to do Trump's bidding, he will be allowed to stay.
This is rather obvious ... we have seen how Trump treats former cabinet / advisors / etc. who have disagreed with him. It would be quite the fantasy to believe that Trump has changed for the better in this regard.
So you've said.
So he says things people might not like. Got it.
Or... you've jumped to a premature conclusion based on an agreement that doesn't exist and may not even be in negotiation.
So you're amazed AND incredulous. Seems like a lot of work.
No, moving the goalposts is your thing. I'll leave that to you.
Those may be your definitions, they're not mine.
That's some galactic level irony. I'm not the one who can't tolerate other people's viewpoints.
You continue to downplay the effects of Trump's rhetoric and his actions. Worse, you refuse to acknowledge what is taking place in reality. Do you actually believe that the leadership and the citizens of Canada have the same level of trust and friendship with the USA given Trump's rhetoric and actions? That they are not seeking alternatives to be less dependent on the USA? That they will be far more careful striking any deal with the USA given we have proven that we will elect a scoundrel to the presidency?
Trump has repeatedly trashed Ukraine and Zelensky on the world stage and has spoken admirably of Putin. You can ignore that fact, but confirmation bias is a great way to get things wrong.
Yeah, that is all that is happening:
And this is discussed here:
You choose hysteria, I choose moderation.
At some point you should probably get your feelings around the fact that he got elected.
So he said things people might not like.
This is galactic sized irony, coming from someone who cannot enter a conversation without attempting to hijack to your own anti-Trump obsession.
So you have one politician spouting rhetoric about another politician. That's not something you see every day. Oh... wait....
But we should definitely pay attention only to the politicians with whom you agree.... because that's not confirmation bias at all. *eyeroll*
You choose exaggeration.
You ignore my links which illustrate that Trump has damaged international relationships.
Of course, you downplay clear, factual criticism of Trump.
You exaggerate criticism of Trump to ridiculous levels.
You downplay negatives of Trump.
No one is downplaying anything.
Difference is we do not go hair on fire with absolutely every word he utters.
I believe that if the time were 12:01pm, and he says "good morning", every left wing fact checker would be writing articles about how he lied.
Now you're "defending Trump". And you're a fascist. And a racist. And a capitalist pig who probably kills and eats poor people's babies.
If my eyes roll any further back in my head they're going to get stuck.
I am right there with you.
Hopefully, but I doubt it, the leftists will come out of their hatred stage and just move on to acceptance.
I guess it just depends on what their talking points tell them to do.
You are absurdly exaggerating yet again. As was bugsy with the 12:01 nonsense.
Of course, you will now merely state that you were being 'sarcastic'.
The reality is that anyone who tries to justify Trump's outrageous rhetoric such as throwing Ukraine and Zelensky under the bus when he is ostensibly trying to find a peaceful end to the war, and engaging in childish taunting (e.g. 51st state, ripping us off, ...) of Canada, et. al. along with preemptive threats of 25% across-the-board tariffs rather than privately sitting down with a long-standing close trade partner to revise the deal he negotiated in his first term, is demonstrably defending Trump.
Defending Trump against unreasonable attacks such as blaming him for the price of eggs would be factual and logical, but defending him when he is so over-the-top wrong is irrational and dishonest.
Trump (anon): "We need to let this play out ... these acts may seem brain-dead-stupid but the stable genius has a grand plan that is predicated on these stupid moves. It will all work out ... just give him time and you will see that this is the only way Trump could achieve his magical end results."
That is bullshit Trump (anon).
Oh FFS.
You don't say....
The thing is... we're not defending him. We're just not joining your little lynch mob. Your failure to recognize the difference is problem #1.
Your repeated misrepresentation of other people's views is the 2nd and much larger problem.
That is a claim that is demonstrably contradicted when you try to make excuses for Trump publicly badgering Zelensky and blaming Ukraine for starting the war. Or when presented with myriad accounts of officials in other nations describing how the USA has become untrustworthy (and worse) and you dismiss this as mere individual opinion and continue to insist that Trump has NOT damaged international relationships.
When you defy the blatantly obvious to downplay / excuse irresponsible actions of Trump, that, Jack, is defending Trump.
Interestingly though, you seem to implicitly recognize that defending Trump is (for the most part) being on the wrong side of truth.
Yet another example (Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly) illustrating how Trump has gratuitously damaged international relationships:
There are myriad example of the blatantly obvious fact that Trump has damaged international relationships.
Denying same, defending same, is defending Trump.
Yeah our international relationships have not been damaged at all:
You and so many others at NT ARE defending Trump. To deny is to lie with the fleas who woke up bitches, as every scratch, is just the surface of the iceberg itches that make it difficult to take you seriously.
There should never need be an explanation about what the leader of the US, arguably the most powerful leader in the world means when taken are his tweets and written words abasurd, or his broken spoken gibberish where in it is so intertwined with lies it's like the pseudo truth, but only disguised and despised so it can remain aloof, as to his acxtual intent, even when there is not a doubt not, about what he really meant, and with every LIE, another excuse or ex[lanatory story required, cause he is always in need of some sort of justified interpretation so he has plausible deniability about his intentions with this once ghreat nation.
And sorry, on you much larger bigger second problem, cause it is not a problem at all, for if one wishes not to be misrepresenteed, perhaps they shouldn't misrepresent what they mean. Sometimes by accident, other times blatantly on purpose, and it is so freakin obvious already. TiG consistently calls out what I, and many other readers here see here on a regular basis, for anyone possibly with 100 or better QI, just mite be able to spy watt herd gets under ones skin and our shared sky. Peep holes appearing into what peoples do say here, cause it's pretty damn clear to any that choose to think a bit. And yes many are critical of critical thinking, and the skills, but how you and they think your miss perception is TiGs' missed perception, sounds to me like a serious case of projection.
I and many others see it as does TiG, so possibly choose to absolutely prove how so many can be so wrong, cause I B loeave you, as wel;l as many others know, know how wrong Trump is, and downplay his dance and song, due to a group and agenda that obviously many here agree with and want to belong. Telling US All you art 'knot' defending Trump while sticking up for and explaining with justifications that leave logic and reason on vacation, is just skipping reality stones across your porcelain throne and wondering where all the shit came from currently affecting our landhome, is just disingenuous, and how we got to this point. Cause when you decide the US can anoint a naked emperor without clothes, and then tell us he has had a wardrobe malfunction, w3ell conjunction junction, what's your friggen function
or as stated prior, Private Pyle, what is your major malfunction, cause Trump gonna be inducted in the Liars Hall of Fame (don't join him}, and we will all be courtside at his induction
It almost seems like some believe if they accuse you of supporting Trump enough you will start to believe it.
Has Trump damaged international relationships?
"A lifelong politician who spent his entire career giving away other people's money has been replaced by a businessman who has spent his career negotiating deal, driving hard bargains, and refusing to be taken advantage of." 5.1.26
"He doesn't have to be a genius. He can be a complete moron and things will still probably not go as badly as you seem to fear." 5.1.32
"If the American people wanted somebody to act like a traditional president and negotiate in traditional ways, they would have elected Mitt Romney or Michael Bloomberg." 5.1.32
"GDP improvement is more probable than not. I don't think foreign relations will be damaged as much as people think." 5.1.34
"The play isn't done yet. You're going to have to wait and see how it actually turns out." 5.1.39
"you've jumped to a premature conclusion based on an agreement that doesn't exist and may not even be in negotiation" 5.1.43
"So he said things people might not like." 5.1.47
All defensive statements about Trump or his policies. This is what is so frustrating because there are several of these Trump defenders on here who keep deflecting and defending for him or at best saying we just need to give him more time to show results and we shouldn't judge too early, but then when faced with some of the insane things he's done so far they stare you straight in the face and say "we're not defending him" refusing to take any responsibility for their defense of the indefensible.
I would say yes, with our allies and neighbors.
Note how the intended party(ies) will never acknowledge that extremely obvious fact.
Indeed.
Also noteworthy is that while defending Trump they (a select group) are offended when this is pointed out. So they recognize that defending Trump is on the wrong side of truth (being accused of defending Trump offends them) yet do so anyway and claim they are not.
I know I couldn't write their 'NON" defenses of ole Trumpy with a straight face, maybe a gay one, but only if i was happy, cause to read what they have written, and then to claim they aren't defending him, is just ridiculous, just like Trump.
People shouldn't lie to themselves, but with alternate fax, uber monetary wealth relief breaks of Tax, it is obvious they need their BS pushed,. and pushed they do
Libertarian nihilists have no problem defending Trump. Libertarian nihilism is a very transactional philosophy. So far it has been a total failure in American society, but maybe they are playing the long game. Trumpism is certainly good for them.
None of that is "defending" Trump. All of it is countering triggered leftists that just can't see an improvement over the last four years.
More amused at the narrative attempt.
I am sure most see that you have, predictably, refused to answer my question:
Hey, 'RDtC', has Trump damaged international relationships?
Has Trump damaged international relationships?
Do you think the President's job is to make foreign leaders happy, or Americans?
If I may....
Over the past couple of decades, many on the left have shown a disdain for this country. Recently and currently we have two Somali born Congresswoman who seem to be working more for the Somalian people than the American people, one of them came out yesterday and said so herself.
So, the answer to your question....Maybe not all, but many leftists would rather the president make foreign leaders happy, or he will be accused of causing "damaged international relations".
No.
You are ignoring the question too. Why?
Maybe you missed it:
Do you answer all the questions asked of you?
Do you respond to all the comments in a response or pick and choose which parts you will respond to?
Why do you expect others to do what you don't do yourself?
I remember somebody on here, can't remember who it was, that like(s)(d) to say, and I paraphrase "I only opine on subjects that I feel needs to be opined on".
I use those words on those that ask me why I didn't answer a question, or ask me the same question over and over again.
If someone asks a direct question that is topical and serious, I will routinely answer it.
Stupid questions, no.
I asked you a very direct, topical, and rather important question to the well-being of this nation and its people.
Your refusal to answer my question illustrates that you recognize that Trump damaged international relationships but cannot bring yourself to admit it.
When you refuse to answer a direct, topical, important question such as the one asked: "Has Trump damaged international relationships?", you are not fooling anyone by not answer or by dancing around it as you have.
The refusal to answer a serious, important question like that illustrates that you know Trump has damaged international relationships but you cannot bring yourself to acknowledge that incredibly obvious fact.
Everyone knows ... you are not fooling anyone.
Talk about parsing hairs. "No officer, I wasn't defending my friend who you think committed a crime, I'm just countering your accusations against him...". Is it that some think everyone will be stupid enough to believe their moronic train of illogic, [removed][✘]
Who determines that?
Usually the person asked the question determines that. Obviously the person asking the question is biased. In this case your question was in response to my statement about people thinking if they accuse you of supporting trump enough you will believe it. I don't believe your question is relevant to my comment and I chose to ignore it.
Actually it illustrates nothing other than you making stuff up because someone does not feel the question is worth answering. It is obvious for everyone to see.
I am not the subject of the seed. Prefer you keep me out of it.
If I don't want to answer a gratuitous question, I will not, and to continuously ask the same question because the other fifteen times were not answered equates to harassment.........
Of course than your response is whatever they want it to be.
Funny watching people ask and then answer their question for you.
Um, no
Even funnier when their answer is obviously wrong.
Who is this "everyone"?
Be specific with names.
Unfortunately we are going to have to get to some real hard times before Trump supporters wake up to the reality of what Trump really is and the real impact of his stupidity.
I'm betting they'll blame others instead. "It's all the democrats/liberals/immigrants/anybody else's fault."
There are those on NT who appear to feel that what their hero does is okay even if it's going to hurt them.
Well, you know what they say, "No pain, no gain" and many MANY are smart enough to comprehend that fact and will face it head on.
Weird. None of my hero’s are politicians.
Guess it’s different with my friends on the left
[deleted][✘]
What the rest of us have found is that normally when a reactionary refers to the word "hero", they are describing a fascist murderer, such as when their Lord and Master Trump called Putin a "genius" and praised his invasion of Ukraine as "brilliant", or when he called the creeps who savagely beat Capitol police officers on January 6th "patriots".
Here is one of the reactionaries' heroes from January 6th their Dear Leader Trump called a "patriot" and pardoned:
Look at that shirt. Does a hero wear such a blatant display of antisemitism?
Democrats at the Ohio State University marched outside the Hillel student building chanting to globalize the intifada.
But Democrats are too fixated on a single man photographed four years ago to care about the daily harassment Jewish students face on the bastions of american progressivism, the university campus. It's no coincidence that the institutions where Democrats wield the most power (college campuses) are the most friendly to anti- semitic mobs.
That's one of Trump's January 6th "patriots" he pardoned. Disgusting pig.
He's not the only Nazi sympathizer Trump called a "patriot" and pardoned.
We should also consider Trump's close friend and supporter Kanye West who said he was going "death con 3 on Jewish people", called himself a "Nazi" and wrote "I LOVE HITLER."
Yesterday:
Police cleared anti-Israel protesters from the area of a library at New York’s Barnard Campus on Wednesday after a raucous demonstration and a bomb threat, the latest in a series of escalating incidents on the campus.
A group of protesters entered Barnard’s Milstein Library, where they chanted anti-Israel slogans, waved Palestinian flags, beat a drum and carried an effigy of the college president.
Barnard is an affiliate of Columbia University and the protest groups include students from both institutions.
“Shut it down,” the protesters chanted into a megaphone, according to footage shared by the activists, most of whose faces were covered by keffiyehs and masks.
Jewish students at the scene shared photos showing the protesters distributed pamphlets by the “Hamas media office,” photos of the late Hezbollah terror chief Hassan Nasrallah, and wrote “Death to America” in the library guest book.
Just a Wednesday at a left wing university. Wherever left-wingers have power, anti-semites are sure to flourish.
Since Trump's re-election:
Neo-Nazis Are on the March Across America
Demonstrators with Nazi flags leave Cincinnati-area highway overpass after residents confront them
Masked men with Nazi symbols march through Ohio, footage shows
A group of masked individuals brandishing Nazi symbols were filmed marching through Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, footage circulating on social media showed.
The group can be heard in the video screaming racist slurs at a passerby while waving flags with swastikas.
And who can forget the "United the Right" neo-Nazi rally that took place after Trump's first election.
Whenever right-wingers have power, Nazis and anti-Semites are sure to feel emboldened and flourish.
Lol a couple nazis march in ohio and you have to fall back on a nationwide gathering for a march from 8 years ago that was never repeated to simply match the numbers from a building takeover , yesterday, at Baynard.
Nazis set up checkpoints at UCLA denying access to Jewish students and [deleted] [✘] didn't care or even notice. They are too busy fixated on a single march from, 2017. That was the happiest day of their existence. After 8 years, they still can only use the same old pictures while ignoring what's happening pretty much every day on liberal campuses. Just sad.
Still no idea what it means. [Deleted][✘]
[✘]
[Deleted] [✘] when they don't want to acknowledge their anti semites.....and there are many,
removed for context
You didn't read the articles, or, more likely, choose to ignore them. Your comments have 0 credibility. Pathetic.
If you looked it up, you might. Start with this - propagandists who constantly shriek "leftists" and "lefty" are excellent examples of reactionaries.
You're proving you definitely don't know what it means.
They're proud to be Nazis.
Whereas our MAGAs just defend them, without declaring themselves to be Nazis. That's courage!
They do think the Nazis were showed a lot of decency because they didn't have public parties when they were slaughtering Jewish children. They told us that themselves. Hitler did, of course, host quiet celebrations at Berchtesgaden. Simple, dignified affairs. Nothing too fancy.
There's a certain type of progressive who has no problem with their party supporting an anti-semitic death cult that literally celebrate the murder of jewish kids with celebrations yet who will call other people nazi supporters. Classic case of projection.
THey claim to hate Nazis who are safely dead and buried, but when actual Jews are being murdered for their religion, they sure get awful quiet. Their primary duty is making sure Rashida Tlaib.and her friends are happy
Endless bullshit
Reactionary propaganda
Half-truths convincing only to half-mind lunatics
-- anon.
They also sometimes held glittering events for the ultra-rich, the capitalists who owned the great corporations like Mercedes, Krup, or Bayer.
Kinda like zillionaires at MAGA events. Chainsaws at CPAC?
Let's take another look at your bullshit comment.
1. Are you referring to anyone specific? If so, name them. If you claim that I am one of those "certain type" of progressives, then, of course, your comment is a fucking lie.
2. Provide any evidence you contend proves a "party" that may have progressive members supports an anti-semitic death cult. We know there are many Republicans who are very friendly with anti-semites. The Republican leader Donald Trump, for example, pals around with a vicious anti-semite who says he wants to go "death con 3 on Jewish people".
Do you contend "they" don't hate Nazis? Do think "they" should agree with you that the Nazis were decent because they supposedly didn't have public celebrations of their slaughter of Jewish children?
Are the people parading around with Nazi flags resurrected from their graves?
Who? Name them. I was very forceful in my support for Israel defeating Hamas following the October 7 attack, both on here and in my communications with my Israeli cousin. I don't recall you ever writing a word about it.
Parts of this thread were removed for no value.
Nice bunch of guys
I think you wildly underestimate American bravado.
I probably do, I never before thought it could be so blinding.
Canada will fold first. No doubt about it. They have so much more to lose than the USA.
But hey, that’s just my opinion. I could be wrong.
Why would Canada fold? What makes you think Canadians are pussies? It's not in a losing war and requiring America's help. There is a whole world of alternative suppliers, customers and destinations. It may take a while to be able to redirect Canada's crude oil, but the infrastructure for it is not impossible. It amuses me to think that it could even be accomplished with China's Belt and Road Initiative - a new pipeline, a new west coast port to load it into tankers.
Serious question... fold how, exactly?
I realize the official line is to force the Canadians to stop the flow of fentanyl, but I think we all know that's a massive stretch.
What is he looking for, really?
“Folding” will involve coming to the table on border and fentanyl control. Little Lord Fauntleroy hasn’t even tried negotiation on that from what I’ve seen.
Is it a stretch? Maybe but don’t you think some discussion might be appropriate with your largest trading partner? Maybe prove there isn’t a problem rather than pushing the “trust me bro” gambit.
I think there is something more to it.
How much fentanyl is coming across the northern border?
This just seems like an excuse because the real reason isn't something he can publicize.
Perhaps. Any comment on border security?
I would not be surprised if Trump actually believes that tariffs are good ways to generate revenue, that he does not genuinely understand how this will necessarily raise consumer prices, and that trade must be balanced between each individual nation or else someone is being ripped off.
I believe he could be that ignorant and his stubborn belief that he is a genius prevents him from learning.
Then you HAVEN'T seen that Trudeau went to Washington and met with Trump to discuss and negotiate what Canada had already done, was already doing and what else was going to be done, but as you can see, he is NOT folding, nor are the Premiers of the Provinces nor are the Canadians generally.
I think we may as well all sit back and wait to see how this plays out, because nobody has a crystal ball as to what is going to happen.
I think a lot of it is his Ego. More than anything else, he wants to be worshipped.
He requires constant praise asz he's always needing to be reassured he is the 'guy', his insecurities and obvious mental oh so impurities shows his also oh so obvious immaturities ,
and these are serious flaws in a "leader" asz he's a Supreme Quart via delay , Court appointed Liar, Cheater, and good grief already, secret documents thief where all he has to do is think about them, and they are declassified. The problem be, there is not a class lower than he where he could be ,
placed in shackles after all the rubles got him Putin
park placed
I live in Texas, so "border security" here probably has a different meaning or implication than it may in Michigan.
Is the Canadian border a problem and we just don't hear about it? If it is a problem, is it really a 25% tariff level problem? I haven't seen AOC at the Canadian border for a fake photo op or anything. How serious is this?
Wise words.
While I don't deny he has an ego the size of Texas, I'm not sure I connect the dots on how a 25% tariff supports that goal.
What you have not seen AOC not doing isn't even a real thing!
On what planet does that kind of illogical thinking even work?
Planet Texas?
under Satan's throne chewing what scraps Lucifer throws him
Did I mention that throne belongs to me?
Of course it's a problem! We need to build a Big Damn Wall to keep that Arctic Air from attacking us!
Lol that's gonna be one Biiiig Dayum Wall
Arvo Buzz...well you might want to scratch off NZ on your favourites list...
They just fired their high commissioner to the UK for criticising Trump..
Rather a sad reflection on their government these days...
So don't look to them to back Canada or anyone else in the Commonwealth....
I was more concerned about an invasion of rogue hockey players.
Hi shona,
I'm not really spending much time on the internet these days - right now I'm watching the Australian movie "Tracks" about the 27 year old woman who crossed the Australian desert with 4 camels and her dog. Have you ever seen it?
As for NZ, you're right, it's crossed off my list. I'm not going anywhere, but if I ever had to it would be back home to Canada.
Arvo..yes it's an excellent movie and even better when it's a true story...took alot of guts to do what she did...
Yes the Kiwi's seem to loose the plot alot these days.... certainly won't be rushing over there anytime soon...
I thought it was a great story and I really enjoyed the movie. One of the best things is how helpful and nice the people were, including the indigenous natives, except the SOB who was the first one who hired her, promised her 2 camels, then fired her at the end and gave her nothing, after he said at the beginning she didn't need it in writing cause he was good for his word.
Now that I just finished lunch, I'm going to watch my second movie.of the day.
that is a concern lol
they will take over our hockey teams!
Meh, border weak points are like leaks in a levy. You might plug the worst leak but the water will still seek out any other weaknesses. Folks with the will and means to enter or bring illegal contraband into the US will exploit the easiest, weakest point.
They aren’t all stupid.
Another can of napalm on the burning dumpster fire called the Republican Party. It warmed my heart to read about it this morning. I love the smell of napalm in the morning.
The problem is, everyone else gets burned too.
Then everyone else should have done a better job to make sure the rise of populism never got past the dark swamp pits of the internet. It seems that every few generations humans must experience serious pain to remember that freedom isn't about dictating morality.
Yep, everyone else are idiots too. The internet simply gives the crazies on the fringe a platform to spelled their BS, which the ignorant and gullible eat up.
As most folk know, life isn't fair and sometimes the crazies win because they have no standards, no bottom to their behavior, there's literally nothing they wouldn't do to win and the only way to beat them would be to stoop to their level. I think there are many good people who are just unwilling to stoop to MAGAites level and just threw their hands up and said "Fine! Let the neanderthals believe they won. We'll just have to clean up their mess in a couple years and of course after we clean up their shit like we do every 4 to 8 years they'll accuse us of not cleaning up their mess fast enough and convince the aggrieved dumb shits to put them back in power".
So now Trump is "pausing" tariffs for "some" automobile manufacturers.
Yo-yo!
He just paused some Mexican tariffs and adjusted the rest to align with his 2020 NAFTA rebranding.
That didn't take long.
I've never called Trump a Nazi. He's obviously a fascist, but so were many other dictators, without death camps.
Will Trump show Nazi tendencies? I don't know. He is obviously gleeful when minorities are abused... he has begun putting people in camps... he has pardoned killers... but I haven't heard anything about gas chambers.
So maybe we'll just get a new Mussolini, Franco, ...
Show us where
" he has begun putting people in camps.."
Show us where these camps are and who is there.
"he has pardoned killers."
Biden pardoned many more. What's your point?
Including commuting the sentences of FBI and kid killers.
Are you really so unaware?
That's... amazing.
“Show us where these camps are and who is there.”
Must be guantanamo. So sad. It’s a terrible injustice to put those poor violent illegals in guantanamo. They deserve to be free, to roam American streets, to victimize innocent Americans, so sad. /s/
You made the claim.
Back it up.
These are the ones some on the left refer to as "heroes".
No one on the left refer to any convicted violent undocumented immigrants as heroes. That's just more pure hyperbolic bullshit, but not surprising[✘]
Part of this thread was removed for a slapfight. Knock it off. Only warning.
Trump wants to redraw the US - Canadian border.
Lake Michigan is currently the only one of the Great Lakes that is entirely within US borders. Trump wants them all to be.
I’m fine with that. While we’re at it, let’s take bc as well.
Just sickening seeing how Trump is influencing some to think it is right for the USA to do what it has spent decades trying to prevent.
Just sickening seeing how some are completely blind to sarcastic humor.
How Trump’s ‘51st State’ Canada Talk Came to Be Seen as Deadly Serious - The New York Times
President Trump , in an early February call, challenged the border treaty between the two countries and told Justin Trudeau he didn’t like their shared water agreements.
After President Trump imposed tariffs on Canada on Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an extraordinary statement that was largely lost in the fray of the moment.
“The excuse that he’s giving for these tariffs today of fentanyl is completely bogus, completely unjustified, completely false,” Mr. Trudeau told the news media in Ottawa.
“What he wants is to see a total collapse of the Canadian economy, because that’ll make it easier to annex us,” he added.
This is the story of how Mr. Trudeau went from thinking Mr. Trump was joking when he referred to him as “governor” and Canada as “the 51st state ” in early December to publicly stating that Canada’s closest ally and neighbor was implementing a strategy of crushing the country in order to take it over.
The February Calls
Mr. Trump and Mr. Trudeau spoke twice on Feb. 3, once in the morning and again in the afternoon, as part of discussions to stave off tariffs on Canadian exports.
But those early February calls were not just about tariffs.
The details of the conversations between the two leaders, and subsequent discussions among top U.S. and Canadian officials, have not been previously fully reported, and were shared with The New York Times on condition of anonymity by four people with firsthand knowledge of their content. They did not want to be publicly identified discussing a sensitive topic.
On those calls, President Trump laid out a long list of grievances he had with the trade relationship between the two countries, including Canada’s protected dairy sector, the difficulty American banks face in doing business in Canada and Canadian consumption taxes that Mr. Trump deems unfair because they make American goods more expensive.
He also brought up something much more fundamental.
He told Mr. Trudeau that he did not believe that the treaty that demarcates the border between the two countries was valid and that he wants to revise the boundary. He offered no further explanation.
The border treaty Mr. Trump referred to was established in 1908 and finalized the international boundary between Canada , then a British dominion, and the United States .
Mr. Trump also mentioned revisiting the sharing of lakes and rivers between the two nations, which is regulated by a number of treaties, a topic he’s expressed interest about in the past.
Canadian officials took Mr. Trump’s comments seriously, not least because he had already publicly said he wanted to bring Canada to its knees. In a news conference on Jan. 7, before being inaugurated, Mr. Trump , responding to a question by a New York Times reporter about whether he was planning to use military force to annex Canada , said he planned to use “economic force.”
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
During the second Feb. 3 call, Mr. Trudeau secured a one-month postponement of those tariffs.
This week, the U.S. tariffs came into effect without a fresh reprieve on Tuesday. Canada , in return, imposed its own tariffs on U.S. exports, plunging the two nations into a trade war. (On Thursday, Mr. Trump granted Canada a monthlong suspension on most of the tariffs.)
Glimpses of the rupture between Mr. Trump and Mr. Trudeau, and of Mr. Trump’s aggressive plans for Canada , have been becoming apparent over the past few months.
The Toronto Star, a Canadian newspaper, has reported that Mr. Trump mentioned the 1908 border treaty in the early February call and other details from the conversation. And the Financial Times has reported that there are discussions in the White House about removing Canada from a crucial intelligence alliance among five nations, attributing those to a senior Trump adviser.
Doubling Down
But it wasn’t just the president talking about the border and waters with Mr. Trudeau that disturbed the Canadian side.
The persistent social media references to Canada as the 51st state and Mr. Trudeau as its governor had begun to grate both inside the Canadian government and more broadly.
While Mr. Trump’s remarks could all be bluster or a negotiating tactic to pressure Canada into concessions on trade or border security, the Canadian side no longer believes that to be so.
And the realization that the Trump administration was taking a closer and more aggressive look at the relationship, one that tracked with those threats of annexation, sank in during subsequent calls between top Trump officials and Canadian counterparts.
One such call was between Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick — who at the time had not yet been confirmed by the Senate — and Canada’s finance minister, Dominic LeBlanc. The two men had been communicating regularly since they had met at Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump’s home and club in Florida, during Mr. Trudeau’s visit there in early December.
Mr. Lutnick called Mr. LeBlanc after the leaders had spoken on Feb. 3, and issued a devastating message, according to several people familiar with the call: Mr. Trump , he said, had come to realize that the relationship between the United States and Canada was governed by a slew of agreements and treaties that were easy to abandon.
Mr. Trump was interested in doing just that, Mr. Lutnick said.
He wanted to eject Canada out of an intelligence-sharing group known as the Five Eyes that also includes Britain, Australia and New Zealand.
He wanted to tear up the Great Lakes agreements and conventions between the two nations that lay out how they share and manage Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie and Ontario.
And he is also reviewing military cooperation between the two countries, particularly the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
A spokesperson for Mr. Lutnick did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Mr. LeBlanc declined to comment.
In subsequent communications between senior Canadian officials and Trump advisers, this list of topics has come up again and again, making it hard for the Canadian government to dismiss them.
The only soothing of nerves has come from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the four people familiar with the matter said. Mr. Rubio has refrained from delivering threats, and recently dismissed the idea that the United States was looking at scrapping military cooperation.
But Canada’s politicians across the spectrum, and Canadian society at large, are frayed and deeply concerned. Officials do not see the Trump administration’s threats as empty; they see a new normal when it comes to the United States .
On Thursday, at a news conference, a reporter asked Mr. Trudeau: “Your foreign affairs minister yesterday characterized all this as a psychodrama. How would you characterize it?”
“Thursday,” Mr. Trudeau quipped ruefully.
54'40 or fight.
Given the outrageous things Trump is doing and the ridiculous arguments made by his supporters in defense of same, you need to put a tag on your comments.
Seeing as how you don’t really know anything about me, probably not a bad idea.
What I know about you is what you have written.
If you think your words provide a false impression of who you are, then you are the one in charge of your words.
Do you think it is productive for the PotUS who is trying to negotiate peace (ostensibly) to throw our ally (Ukraine) under the bus while parroting Putin's talking points and feeding his Russian propaganda machine?
You do realize that Trump's Oval office fiasco and his earlier claim that Ukraine started the war is being spoon fed to the Russian people to shore up Putin's political support. Right? You are not going to deny that are you?
Do you think the words written on this site give a full picture of who a person is? If not, isn’t it ridiculous to throw around the word partisan as loosely as a dem throws the word racist, nazi, hitler, fascist, etc.?
as for the rest of the garbled post, logic flew out that window a long time ago. Ukraine is not in any position to demand anything
No. But those words, in aggregate, define the profile of that individual in a forum.
Write words that show clear objectivity that is not dependent on party affiliation and the label of partisan would not apply.
It is as if he is getting ideas from Putin.
No, it is like he's taking orders from Putin...
It's both. He sees and admires how Putin operates as a dictator. At the same time, he receives regular instructions from Putin as to what Putin wants him to do.
LOL..
www.rawstory.com /trump-tariffs-2671289068/
‘What the actual?’ Outrage over Trump’s new 250% dairy tax spills into social media
Erik De La Garza 2-2 minutes 3/7/2025
The United States’ ongoing trade war with Canada showed no signs of slowing Friday as President Donald Trump threatened to slap a new 250% tariff on U.S. dairy imports arriving into the country.
In an escalation a day after the president announced a one-month pause on nearly across-the-board 25% tariffs , Trump said Friday that “Canada has been ripping us off for years on lumber and on dairy products” in Oval Office comments. The stiff new tax could hit as early as Friday – “or we’ll wait until Monday or Tuesday,” Trump said.
But while the MAGA leader railed against the country’s traditionally close ally – who he claimed “treated our farmers badly” – political observers took to social media to slam his latest economic move.
“The insanity continues as Trump threatens new tariffs on Canada , including 250% tax on dairy,” Australian media personality and attorney Peter Stefanovic wrote in a Bluesky post .
“Yesterday Trump announced he was delaying his tariffs,” the Palmer Report newsletter pointed out to its Bluesky followers . “Today he announced new 250% tariffs. Don’t tell me this guy doesn’t have dementia.”
“I'm sorry -- a 250% Canadian dairy tax? What the actual...?” radio host and journalist Kai Ryssdal wrote on Bluesky.
Canadian Stanley Q. Woodvine suggested to his Bluesky followers that Trump’s new warning “may be an empty threat, as it seems Canada's dairy production is primarily used to meet domestic needs.”
“Either way we won't be cowed, or cry over any spilt milk!” he wrote .
He keeps finding new levels of bad. And his supporters just keep trying to defend this irresponsible buffoon.
I think he wants to disorient everyone. Put everyone on shaky psychological footing in terms of what our country is.
He is also likely putting out increasingly outrageous notions so that his other stupid notions seem less extreme.
He is playing the gullible; the perfect demagogue.
He lies and does outrageous stuff for a number of reasons, the most important of which is the purity test that he inflicts on his acolytes.
Indeed.