Monday, August 28, 2017

Secretary of State Tillerson says that when it comes to American values Donald Trump speaks only for himself.

Courtesy of HuffPo: 

On “Fox News Sunday,” host Chris Wallace noted that the United Nations had condemned President Donald Trump for not unequivocally condemning racism and asked Tillerson if Trump had made it more difficult to promote American values abroad. 

“We express America’s values from the State Department,” Tillerson said. “We represent America’s values, our commitment to freedom, our commitment to equal treatment for people the world over, and that message has never changed.” 

Wallace noted that the U.N.’s statement suggested world leaders are beginning to doubt whether the U.S. is living its own values. 

“I don’t believe anyone doubts the American people’s values or the commitment of the American government or the government’s agencies to advancing those values and defending those values,” Tillerson said. 

What about the president’s values, Wallace asked. 

“The president speaks for himself, Chris,” Tillerson said. 

After a moment of silence, Wallace asked whether Tillerson was deliberately trying to separate himself from the president. Tillerson replied simply that he’d already made his own statement on his department promoting U.S. values. 

Can you say "awkward?"

Now you might think that it is no big deal that Trump's Secretary of State seems to be distancing himself from his boss (But don't fool yourself it IS a big deal.) however it appears he is not the only one in Trump's administration to be doing so.

Here is Trump's Secretary of Defense James Mattis talking to the troops.
"You're a great example for our country right now it has some problems, you know it and I know it" so just "Hold the line until our country gets back to understanding and respecting each other."

It sounds like he means hold the line until Trump is out of office and America can start repairing itself.

Or is that just me?

Some how I get the feeling that Trump is becoming more and more isolated every day.

31 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:12 AM

    It is right and healthy for Tillerson and others to distinguish their personal boundaries separate from Trump. I don't view this as distancing but clarity to uphold American values and counter Trump as a danger, threat to democracy to us and the world.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous4:16 AM

    A Congressman sent this letter 11/18/16 to Mike Pence alerting him that Mike Flynn was a paid Russian agent. Pence knew & lied. #PenceResign

    https://twitter.com/funder/status/900801142388654083

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous4:17 AM

    Donald is going to Texas and is excited to be a judge in the Houston wet tee shirt contest.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous4:25 AM

    I feel comforted by Mattis' talk to the troop gathered.

    I want to believe there is a way to remove Trump from office or he be stricken with something fatal before massive damage. Perhaps the challenge is for the majority to find their voices and act to demonstrate to the world we are not one with Trump.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:22 AM

      There are ways to remove Trump, no one with that ability is taking action.

      What is Mattis thinking? When Trump serves out his term? After he is again elected and serves another 4 years? Is Mattis secretly thinking about Trump being taken out soon?

      Doesn't Mattis want to keep up the moral of service members? He needs to be more open and honest with his talks.

      How do these men and women live with the possibility of going to one of the areas where Trump would fight, boots on the ground or send in the name of peace keepers, how do the handle all the insecurity of an unstable commander in chief?

      One more day of Trump can mean unrecoverable and deadly harm.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous8:06 AM

      What is comforting about Mattis's talk to troops?

      Delete
    3. It is remarkable to me the way he worded that we have two forces that keep us strong - "inspiration and intimidation" and said that THEY are the intimidation faction - which in my head meant he was acknowledging that their commander in chief was not providing the necessary inspiration so sit tight and we'll fix that? Just my take. I did also find him to be comforting if only for the fact that it SEEMS to me that his eyes are wide open.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous4:33 AM

    First off, that was a wonderful speech.
    Second off, Mad Dog, get your godamned hands out of your pockets.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:14 AM

      It was typical. Not wonderful to everyone.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous4:38 AM

    These are two of the most important and persuasive Cabinet secretaries. If the 25th Amendment were actually ever considered, they clearly might lead the Cabinet in a vote of no confidence in Trump.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous4:44 AM

    Slightly OT -- I think Donnie Two Scoops has lost in his threat to shut down the government to pay for his wall.
    It will be pointed out to him that such a move will halt all FEMA funds to disaster areas, including Houston. And who knows what other storms might develop between now and the end of September?
    Plus, when people realize that a shutdown means the cratering of the world financial system -- the full faith and credit of the US government is negotiable -- and the halting of SS checks, Medicare payments, all government paychecks, the closing of government buildings and -- military operations? there will be hell to pay.

    Also, would a wall withstand a hurricane? Have plans be drawn up to demonstrate how strong it would be? Has Trump noticed that the most recent attempt to enter the US from Mexico was by a tunnel, and that the majority of the people entering were CHINESE?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trump is going to be told he has a choice; Texas disaster relief or his fucking wall. If he chooses the wall I hope all the Deplorables in Texas that voted for him take note.

      Nice to see both Tillerson and Mattis being the adults and taking their jobs seriously. Of course, compared to Trump, who wouldn't?

      Delete
  8. Anonymous4:52 AM

    The terrible truth is Trump is amoral and will lie about anything to suit his needs. That knowledge is causing a feeling of melancholia/despair. I speak for myself here but I suspect there are others who are similarly affected.

    ReplyDelete
  9. abbafan5:13 AM

    Gryphen - I believe, as I have postulated on previous postings, that the idiot trump will turn on those who question his judgment and character. He will either attempt to fire Secretary Tillerson, or force him to resign. The same goes for Secretaries Kelly, Mattis, and McMaster; all of these men are now publicly questioning trump's moral and mental capacity.

    trump is too fuckin' stupid to realize the influence these military men still carry. As I have stated before, if trump becomes too unhinged, they are the "check valve". Forget the 25th Amendment, he will be removed from office by military force. As career military men, Kelly, Mattis, and McMaster swore an oath to defend the country from all enemies, both foreign, and domestic.

    Remember, there are many personnel in the armed forces who served under their command, and are still loyal to them. It would not surprise me in the least if a coup was orchestrated by unseen forces to remove this unhinged idiot, and his crooked family from the "Peoples' House".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope they can at least block Trump's nuclear option.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous5:27 AM

    More militarism of USA police force (Fascism). Teach your children well.

    Trump Prepares to Lift Limits on Military Gear for Police
    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-27/trump-prepares-to-lift-limits-on-military-gear-for-police

    BUSTED: Oklahoma police chief outed as owner of racist website and white supremacist record label
    http://www.rawstory.com/2017/08/busted-oklahoma-police-chief-outed-as-owner-of-racist-website-and-white-supremacist-record-label/

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous5:40 AM

    4:52 You are far from alone. There is a new syndrome called Post Election Stress Disorder.I became depressed and started having panic attacks after the election. I have friends and relatives who feel the same way. I have a friend who works at a mental health facility and they said there has been a big uptake in new clients since
    stole the election.I knew it was going to be really bad but I had no idea that it would be this bad this fast.Sometimes I have to take a break from political news for self-preservation.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous5:43 AM

    Gorka: McMaster Sees ‘Threat Of Islam Through Obama Admin Lens’ http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/gorka-mcmaster-sees-threat-islam-obama-lens

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous5:45 AM

    Trump’s business sought deal on a Trump Tower in Moscow while he ran for president

    https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/politics/trumps-business-sought-deal-on-a-trump-tower-in-moscow-while-he-ran-for-president/2017/08/27/d6e95114-8b65-11e7-91d5-ab4e4bb76a3a_story.html

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous6:11 AM

    Is this even possible?

    Kelly moves to control the information Trump sees
    A new process, laid out in two memos circulating in the West Wing this week, is supposed to ensure Kelly vets everything that hits the Resolute desk

    http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/24/john-kelly-trump-control-241967

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous6:16 AM

    TRUMP LIES

    THE HILL:
    August 28, 2017 - 09:39 AM EDT

    Trump retweets message saying Obama pardoned 'a traitor'

    President Trump on Monday retweeted a post from a conservative journalist criticizing President Obama, incorrectly, of pardoning Chelsea Manning.

    Obama in January commuted Manning's 35-year prison sentence in January, but did not grant a pardon....

    http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/348240-trump-retweets-message-saying-obama-pardoned-a-traitor

    ReplyDelete
  16. WA Skeptic6:17 AM

    I'm all for impeachment of this unfit person in the POTUS position, but I'm definitely AGAINST "Seven Days In May" as the solution.

    There's a reason why the military is NOT in charge. It's called the Constitution of the USA.

    ITMFA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:16 AM

      I don't have a problem when there is a military coup d'é·tat in any third world country. It is part of the territory and just the way it goes. Hope there is a good result but there is no guarantee when things have gotten that bad. At some point countries have to lance their boils.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous6:35 AM

    In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

    Dwight D. Eisenhower

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous7:27 AM

    http://www.rawstory.com/2017/08/white-house-photos-show-trump-sitting-alone-at-camp-david-while-pence-runs-hurricane-situation-room/

    "Some how I get the feeling that Trump is becoming more and more isolated every day." Put him in a isolation Cell!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:13 AM

      Put him in a isolation Cell.... how do you get that job done?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous8:34 AM

      Is that Jerod and Ivanka at the table?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous8:35 AM

      A lot of white guys sitting around the table. Are some of them Russians?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous8:56 AM

      Probably a bunch of unemployed actors they pay. Who else needs a job?

      Delete
  19. Anonymous9:21 AM

    Anarchy!
    http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/ct-berkeley-protests-20170827-story.html

    ReplyDelete

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It just goes directly to their thighs.