The White House sought Monday to calm a jittery Washington ahead of a showdown with Congress over spending, and President Trump softened his demand that a deal to keep the federal government open include money to begin construction on his long-promised border wall.
Despite one-party control at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, the brinkmanship that came to define spending battles in the Obama years has tumbled into the Trump era, as have the factional divisions over strategy and priorities that have gripped the GOP for a decade.
But with a Friday deadline looming to pass a new spending bill, the Trump administration projected confidence that a shutdown would be avoided. In the face of fierce Democratic opposition to funding the wall’s construction, White House officials signaled Monday that the president may be open to an agreement that includes money for border security if not specifically for a wall, with an emphasis on technology and border agents rather than a structure.
Trump showed even more flexibility Monday afternoon, telling conservative journalists in a private meeting that he was open to delaying funding for wall construction until September, a White House official confirmed.
OMGD right?
It suddenly appears that Trump is becoming more reasonable and recognizing that this border wall promise is a non-starter.
Now finally there can be a REAL and fruitful discussion over the need for an overhaul of our immigration policies.
Wait, not so fast.
And there you go.Don't let the fake media tell you that I have changed my position on the WALL. It will get built and help stop drugs, human trafficking etc.— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 25, 2017
Just when it appears that Donald Trump might start to be a little reasonable, that he might actually be learning what it takes to be the president, he sabotages it with some early morning tweet and we are all back at square one.
And this is essentially what happens time and time again.
Let's face it, the guy is unhinged.
And if you have any doubts about that just go back and read that AP interview again.
I think the press needs to stop trying to shape a narrative that Trump is growing into his responsibilities and simply tell the truth to the American people.
The man is insane, and unless we can remove him from office we are doomed.
We need a WALL built around Trump to keep him away from 13 year old girls:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.scribd.com/doc/316341058/Donald-Trump-Jeffrey-Epstein-Rape-Lawsuit-and-Affidavits
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/rambling-reporter/as-trump-defends-oreilly-fox-uses-access-hollywood-tape-harassment-seminars-991267
Trump’s most striking accomplishment so far
ReplyDeleteAs Donald Trump approaches the 100th day of his presidency, let’s give him credit: He has sparked one of the greatest surges of American citizen action in half a century. Indeed, this burst of civic renewal may be more enduring than anything else he has done in his chaotic first months on the job.
For decades, civic educators and activists have wondered what it would take to get a greater number of Americans more involved in self-government. All it took, it turns out, was a bombastic, authoritarian, nativist president whose erratic behavior and executive overreach made him a vivid threat to democratic norms and the Constitution.
All across the country, in red and blue precincts alike, many Americans are for the first time joining civic clubs, publishing newsletters, creating political reading groups, organizing rallies, lobbying lawmakers and relearning the basics of how a bill becomes a law — or how a court can block an executive order.
To be sure, President Trump didn’t intend to generate this civic surge. And he tries at every turn and in every tweet to play down or discredit it. But it nonetheless is the most concrete way that Trump thus far has made America great again: He has awakened millions of people to become active participants in civic life rather than passive spectators.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trumps-most-striking-accomplishment-so-far/2017/04/24/904f71e2-23b5-11e7-bb9d-8cd6118e1409_story.html
Trump’s border-wall fantasy is crumbling
ReplyDeleteIn the annals of pathetic climb-downs, this Sunday-morning tweet from President Trump deserves a special place of honor, or perhaps dishonor:
“Eventually, but at a later date so we can get started early, Mexico will be paying, in some form, for the badly needed border wall.”
To put those weasel words in context, let me ask a question of all you small-business owners out there. If a customer brings some merchandise to the cash register and promises that one of his neighbors will pay you for it “eventually . . . at a later date . . . in some form,” what are your odds of ever seeing that money? How likely is it that “in some form” means cash? Do you let him walk out with the goods, or do you remind him you weren’t born yesterday?
Trump apparently believes we are all hopelessly naive. With his presidency nearing the 100-day mark, he is desperate not to have to acknowledge that his outrageous, ridiculous, impossible campaign promises were, in fact, outrageous, ridiculous and impossible.
There was nothing ambiguous about his pledge to build a wall along the southern border, with Mexico footing the bill. This is what Trump said in August following his meeting with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, who has categorically denied that his country will pay a dime toward the barrier: “Mexico will pay for the wall, believe me, 100 percent. They don’t know it yet, but they will pay for the wall.”
Now, however, Trump is threatening to shut down the government or destabilize the health-insurance market if Congress does not appropriate $1.4 billion to begin work on the wall. So he wants U.S. taxpayers to pay for the thing, amid ever-more-vague promises that Mexico will ante up “in some form” at some future date. Like, never.
The idea of a 2,000-mile, 30-foot-high, “big, beautiful” wall along the entire border was always more of a revenge fantasy than an actual proposal. Still, it’s worth examining the impracticalities and impossibilities, because political debate is meaningless if it has no connection to the real world. Trump’s shtick about the wall doesn’t even rise to the level of truthiness, let alone truth.
Begin with the border itself. Most of the land on the U.S. side is owned by state governments, private citizens or Native American tribes. Given substantial opposition among those who live along the border to the idea of a wall, Trump would have to order the federal government to seize much of the needed land through eminent domain. Stories of fifth-generation ranchers being dispossessed will hardly go over well with the segment of Trump’s base that favors small government.
The desert terrain is forbidding. Billions of dollars’ worth of roads would have to be built to get construction equipment and materials to the border, causing untold environmental damage. The ecology of the region would be altered, with inevitable impact on wild animal populations.
This terrible idea comes at a time when net illegal migration across the border into the United States is close to zero. It also comes at a time when electronic sensing devices and aerial drones can provide a far more cost-effective way of monitoring and controlling the border.
It was a dumb idea from the start. But Trump evidently feels compelled to pretend that he’s actually going to build the wall as advertised...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trumps-border-wall-fantasy-is-crumbling/2017/04/24/d45f3004-2921-11e7-b605-33413c691853_story.html
Great article there.
Deleteand it won't be built, because there are so many lawsuits waiting to stop it. No illegitimate POTUS can just EO the thing into existence. The project would be tied up in court for years because he can't even prove its effectiveness, nor the problem it seeks to remedy.
DeleteHalf of all undocumented immigrants entered the US legally and overstayed visas. Others were smuggled in cargo. A wall won't affect that population AT ALL. Stupid Shitgibbon.
Breitbart Denied Capitol Hill Press Credentials Again
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2017/03/27/breitbart-denied-capitol-hill-permanent-press-credentials
Trump’s brazen self-promotion crosses the line
ReplyDelete...The damage cannot be undone by taking down the article. The bell cannot be unrung. This sort of blatant violation of ethical and legal norms will continue until the courts or Congress stop it. The latter won’t happen with a GOP majority in both houses, but the voters can change that in 2018.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2017/04/25/trumps-brazen-self-promotion-crosses-the-line/
And this is a RIGHT WING writer!
Americans have rendered their verdict on the first 100 days
ReplyDelete...In short, just as he was in business, Trump’s bluster and self-promotion proves to be empty; his performance is underwhelming. Saying that his “base is holding” is of little comfort to a candidate whose base is far less than the majority and who relied on skeptical voters to deliver an electoral win but only 46 percent of the popular vote. Put differently, holding on to Sean Hannity’s audience is nothing to write home about. It’s not enough to scream “Fake News!” whenever the press reports on his failures. It’s not enough to insult judges, foreign leaders, local officials or protesters. Unlike like his opponent in the campaign, he is not running against any of them. In fact, he’s not running at all. He’s trying to govern, and according to the American people, he’s doing a lousy job of it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2017/04/24/americans-have-rendered-their-verdict-on-the-first-100-days/
Forget 100 days — we’ve been watching this Trump for years
ReplyDelete...On the show, Trump’s politics were rarely visible, but his methods and values certainly were. The familial favoritism, the bravado, the blame-shifting — it was all right there. The lack of evidence-based decision-making. The refusal to take responsibility for an action. That was the Trump we saw week after week.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/forget-100-days--weve-been-watching-this-trump-for-years/2017/04/24/80dfd1e8-282e-11e7-b605-33413c691853_story.html
Democrats and #NeverTrump Republicans, unhappily, were prescient about a Trump presidency. President Trump has proven himself intellectually, temperamentally and morally unfit to govern. He refuses to learn what he does not know, so he makes constant gaffes and reveals his ignorance. He rages at the press, to no avail. (The media does its job and Trump’s approval sets records for awfulness.) Predictably he’s accomplished very little — actually nothing, save the Supreme Court confirmation that requires legislative action. He’s surrounded himself with cronies, family members and ignoramuses who cannot manage to draft a defensible travel ban (thank goodness) or unite the GOP on health care or tax reform. He arguably violates the emoluments clause every day, and both he and his children have managed to make conflicts of interest and self-enrichment the rule, not the exception, for high officials.
ReplyDeleteTrump’s ineptitude and feckless advisers provide a partial explanation for why more damage has not been wrought. He’s had to settle for phony executive orders that only “study” bad ideas (e.g., protectionism, building the wall) rather than pursue them. His tone and demeanor are much worse than what he has managed to pull off. Aside from a White House arguably the most feeble and chaotic in a century or so, why have his “wins” been kept to a minimum?
The answer: Democracy is holding up well under its stress test. Trump’s election has provoked a sense of urgency and, yes, fear, among many Americans. (According to polls, Trump remains uniquely unpopular for a president at this stage in his presidency.) Rather than hide under their beds, however, Americans have reacted by protesting (on Jan. 21; at airports; for science on April 22), turning out by the thousands at town halls, organizing themselves, giving money to causes they care about, signing up to run for office and contacting lawmakers before key votes. They turned out in force in the GA-6 special election, overwhelmingly voting for Democrat Jon Ossoff or for Republicans who did not embrace Trump. And they’ve subscribed to mainstream newspapers in record numbers.
Speaking of the press, despite bullying, hiding from and insulting the media, Trump hasn’t affected respected news outlets one iota. They continue to fact-check him, investigate his conflicts and reveal his team’s ties to Russia. It’s no wonder he is so furious with the media — he cannot control them or block (even by distracting tweets) facts from getting to the public.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2017/04/24/what-holds-the-u-s-together-in-the-trump-era/
Some idiot here in Gryph's comment section attacked me for saying this, but I stand by it. Many (quite possibly a majority) of illegal immigrants arrive by bus and overstay their visas. I have met hundreds, perhaps thousands, of them over my 20 year career as a social worker. None of them crossed the border on foot. Every Single One of them got a tourist visa, took a bus, and didn't leave. And that trend is growing due to the number of US citizens that were former "anchor babies" that are now over 18 and can sponsor family and friends for visitor visas. People always say that 40% are visa overstays but I think it is more. These statistics are hard to get accurately. I don't mind the existence of a wall other than the exorbitant cost. But I am not naive enough to believe that it is the magic answer either.
ReplyDeleteI bet you don't have a clue, even with your 20 year career as a social worker, how many thousands, millions even, flew into the country from areas of the world that aren't Central and South America and overstayed their visas, had anchor babies, and were accepted into the population simply because they "looked like us."
DeleteGet back to me when you figure out what that number is.
To both of you, Pew has done so, and disclosed how they do it - which is always the case of good reputable research.
Deletehttp://www.pewhispanic.org/2006/05/22/modes-of-entry-for-the-unauthorized-migrant-population/
And I question that what you say happened on this blog, sounds more like a peepond response.
Well we do have one example of someone that overstayed her visa- Melanomia.
DeleteOh god it is the ignorant social worker who thinks she knows everything again. Social worker- you are ignorant, and have no firsthand experience with the border crossers/trekkers, and the people paid to lead groups across the borders. You are just plain ignorant. That is your first lesson. Dwell on it.
DeleteI have read a few articles about private land owners who's property extends to the Mexican border. Many are saying that, for various reasons, they do NOT want a wall on their land. The government can seize portions of their land under eminent domain laws. But the court process often takes years, especially if the landowner chooses to fight and drag it out. Some of them plan to do exactly that. They held out for 3+ years when Bush was president and plan to do it again. Trump lovers think that building the wall will be easy. They are wrong.
ReplyDeleteI don't care if this useful idiot comes clean on every crime that he has committed!! He is F*ucking OUT. He must resign, quit, or be impeached now today pronto. He is a evil disgrace and con artist. There is no excuse for him or his followers, all must be removed and punished for their crimes against this nation. To Hell with them all.
ReplyDeleteOT?-IMBOLDing>
ReplyDeletehttps://wonkette.com/616207/bundy-jury-cant-decide-if-pointing-guns-at-law-enforcement-is-bad
That is amazing!! WTF? This country best get their heads screwed on right and start teaching kids right from wrong. The first step is to remove all funding to private brain washing schools. And strengthen our public school system immediately. All Tax dollars go to public schools only.
DeleteNote the difference in the way black and white "pointers of (or even holders of toy) guns" are treated in this.
DeleteOT? " the Trump inaugural committee effectively created an alternate universe of donors records>
ReplyDeleteFischer also said ticket buyers should have been better informed that the inauguration committee was reporting ticket purchases as political contributions.
“They should have been told that if they made an aggregate contribution of more than $200, their name would be reported to the FEC,”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-inauguration-fec_us_58fec92ae4b00fa7de170e73?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
Bait & $witch!
But until recently another or trumps pals was working for the FEC. And so we now know how this fits together. Liars and con artist all smell the same.
DeleteMr. President, you've changed your position three times in the past 24 hours alone.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/RoguePOTUSStaff/status/856851093296467968
https://twitter.com/RoguePOTUSStaff
The truth is that when Donald Trump says he hasn’t changed his position on “the WALL” that he is changed it. A LOT. And Dale was ready with the facts:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.politicususa.com/2017/04/25/donald-trump-claims-fake-media-lying-wall-built.html
100 Days Of Trump's Lackeys
ReplyDeletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/100-days-of-trumps-lackeys_us_58ff507de4b0c46f07823b92?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
Trump’s Proposed Order Could Jeopardize 21 Years Of National Monuments
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-executive-order-national-monuments_us_58ff643de4b0b6f6014ae656?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
Donald has given up on building a wall.
ReplyDeleteHe has instead hired Todd to build a 2000 mile long fence. Todd will start work as soon as he heals from his latest beating by Track.
Dumbkota has been practicing for months, remember the photo of him carrying the wooden post!!!
Delete1. If Trump builds his wall
ReplyDelete2. When Trump evicts all illegal aliens
3. Where will Trump get workers to work at his golf courses, restaurants and hotels for minimum wages?
Sarah Inkkk needs work.
DeleteTrump has a history of fighting against our native American brothers and sisters. Same deal with the keystone pipeline.....trump as an investor of that corporation and stinken dirty nasty oil corp cutting through the heart of American over private property and sacred indian lands is another F u from don john trump and ASSociates. He steals takes away historic buildings and homes of people unaware until it is too late. He steals home sites to build more condos on. He Demolishes other peoples family homes. He is a business monster, a heartless buffoon, a useful idiot to Russia, a lousy actor and ugly soul. He is not the USA president, he stole the election..
ReplyDeleteFuckin' idiot trump is now shitting on Canada; it's time for us to play hardball! Just seen him on TV shitting all over us, and his ass-kissing yes-men nodding in approval - outright fuckin' disgusting! It reminds me of Mel Brooks in "blazing Saddles" -
ReplyDelete"can I get a harrumph here? No harrumph; get him out of here"!He just imposed 24% tariffs on lumber exports from here to appease his corporate pals.
It's time for us to play hard-ball with him; countervailing tariffs on hydro-electric exports, natural gas, and other raw resources. Canada is signatory to the TPP; China and India are huge markets! Our lumber exporters will just say "fuck you" to trump's tariffs, and trade with other countries. Expect a mark-up of at least $1,200 USD per home built now as a result.
NO major US network will air this story; they are all in the bag with trump. IM'ers, inform yourselves on this issue, go to cbcnews.ca .
Interestingly, guess who will suffer, US small construction business.
DeleteThat doesn't make sense being ol' Donny Brook is a builder?
DeletePUSSY BACKED DOWN
ReplyDeleteWhen are they going to learn, little donnie is a child. If you want him to do something, tell him the opposite. They should tell him President Obama thinks the wall is great, donnie will back off real fast.
ReplyDeleteLike the song from the Fantasticks: why did the kids put beans in their ears, when all that I said was No.
I am sure the environmental/wildlife groups are really to sue because the wall will damage the eco-system and migration.
Mexico is going to sue because part of the “wall” will cause massive flooding.
So basically little donnie is going to do what he does best-invite lawsuits.
LOSER!
ReplyDeletehttp://money.cnn.com/2017/04/25/news/economy/mexico-us-wto-tuna/index.html
He knew he couldn't win with the wall in the budget HE (and the Republicans) would be blamed for a government shut down.
ReplyDeleteSo he kicked the can down the road.
That's what he does. He's a can kicker.
He's also a flip flopper. He'll send out a test balloon and if it gets popped he'll reverse direction on whatever it is. If the balloon flies, he'll double down.
Worst. President. EVER.
I can give testimony that highly manipulative people and personality disordered say one thing then the opposite on the same topic. When they contradict their self their reaction is to yell someone else is a liar and makes things up.
ReplyDeleteOften they will verbally say they are all for something but behind closed doors they will manipulate saying even crazy shit to talk
someone out of what they just promised in front of others.
It is human nature for people to want to believe the positive eager to believe someone else is lying about the insane person speaking extreme opposites.