The Donald....the newest savior.....

[noddy]

Folks,

Donald Trump wants to talk to North Korea's leader. Well, that's no surprise. Don and Kim have such a lot in common: self interest, self publicity and bouffant hair!

Lovely.

Alex.

unlike smaller, pettier men, the donald in his infinite wisdom chooses the path of dialog and integration.

a great man in the making.

[manolo]

unlike smaller, pettier men, the donald in his infinite wisdom chooses the path of dialog and integration.

a great man in the making.

nod,

Sorry to seem unkind, but it has been wonderful to see conservatives (not all) on their knees to the great Trump.



Alex.

PS - I was hoping for a photoshop of Donald with Kim's hair, but it must be too soon.

[noddy]

glad to provide you with the cartoon stereotype fodder.

socialists being pro hillary is of no less an absurdity - glad im not a merkin in this round of elections, choosing lesser of two evils isnt always so odious.

[Simple Minded]

accusing the donald of self promotion is deadly serious!

i find it very very hard to believe he would do such a thing.

self-promoting politicians.... really? since when?

Aren't we supposed to only fear the secretive ones?

[Simple Minded]

unlike smaller, pettier men, the donald in his infinite wisdom chooses the path of dialog and integration.

a great man in the making.

nod,

Sorry to seem unkind, but it has been wonderful to see conservatives (not all) on their knees to the great Trump.



Alex.

PS - I was hoping for a photoshop of Donald with Kim's hair, but it must be too soon.

alex,

help me out on this one. in the picture you posted, which one isn't a left winger?

[Simple Minded]

glad to provide you with the cartoon stereotype fodder.

socialists being pro hillary is of no less an absurdity - glad im not a merkin in this round of elections, choosing lesser of two evils isnt always so odious.

tis the price we pay for being a beacon of ________ rather than minding our own business and eating bacon.

paging AI to bail us out...

[manolo]

alex,

help me out on this one. in the picture you posted, which one isn't a left winger?

SM,

You got it.

Some say that irony doesn't travel well on the web.

Alex.

[Alexis]

Donald Trump wants to talk to North Korea's leader.

Ability of Trump to mix the absurd and the smart does not cease to amaze.

This being clearly part of the smart, because you never make peace with any friend. You make peace only with your enemies, with your friends it's already done!

And to make peace, you obviously need to talk.

[Simple Minded]

alex,

help me out on this one. in the picture you posted, which one isn't a left winger?

SM,

You got it.

Some say that irony doesn't travel well on the web.

Alex.

Alex,

intentionally misquoting noddy, "Irony is like socialism, only the ironic get it." I like irony at times, but mostly, my field of expertise is morony.....

[manolo]

glad to provide you with the cartoon stereotype fodder.

socialists being pro hillary is of no less an absurdity - glad im not a merkin in this round of elections, choosing lesser of two evils isnt always so odious.

nod,

Yes, your comment on Hillary is the reason for Sanders' success. On economic policy I doubt that there is a cigarette paper between Trump and Hillary, so economic conservatives will have no dog in the November race. As a social libertarian I like Hillary, but would find Sanders too 'big government' for my taste.

On the other side the racism and sleaze would be a no-no for me, although Trump has some good ideas: taxing the rich and raising earned incomes etc. Of course, whether Trump's ideas ever become reality is the question, I certainly would not buy a car from the man without seeing every inch of it.

Alex.

PS - Kissinger was asked about the Iran/Iraq war. He said that he wanted both side to lose. There will be some people feeling that about this presidential election.

[Simple Minded]

Donald Trump wants to talk to North Korea's leader.

Ability of Trump to mix the absurd and the smart does not cease to amaze.

This being clearly part of the smart, because you never make peace with any friend. You make peace only with your enemies, with your friends it's already done!

And to make peace, you obviously need to talk.

He is a breath of fresh air. Last time we went for "Completely unspecified change you can believe in."

This time its "Change you can't predict but might believe in!"

OK, maybe he's not that fresh. But hey, he could be the first Citrus American POTUS.

[manolo]

Donald Trump wants to talk to North Korea's leader.

Ability of Trump to mix the absurd and the smart does not cease to amaze.

This being clearly part of the smart, because you never make peace with any friend. You make peace only with your enemies, with your friends it's already done!

And to make peace, you obviously need to talk.

Alexis,

Hmm, following your thoughts; what did the Republicans think about Obama, Cuba and Iran?

Alex.

[manolo]

... the first Citrus American POTUS.

Not that funny, but couldn't resist.

Alex.

[Alexis]

Hmm, following your thoughts; what did the Republicans think about Obama, Cuba and Iran?

Irrespective of what they said, Obama's move on Cuba was obviously the right one.

About Iran, I can't say. I don't know the precise details of the nuclear deal enough.

[manolo]

Hmm, following your thoughts; what did the Republicans think about Obama, Cuba and Iran?

Irrespective of what they said, Obama's move on Cuba was obviously the right one.

About Iran, I can't say. I don't know the precise details of the nuclear deal enough.

Alexis,

Agreed on Cuba. Iran a bit more difficult.

On Trump, he seems able to pick up ideas from anywhere and anyone, which, to use SM's phrasing, is refreshing if unpredictable.

Alex.

[HAL 10000]

Here is the real reason Trump became unexpectedly popular: The $700 billion annual trade deficit of the US is nearly 4 % of the GDP. (If you combine China, Japan, EU, South America, and other countries, the grand total is over $700 billion per year). Clearly this is unsustainable. This is a measure of how much the middle class is getting impoverished regardless of how much the proponents of the so-called free trade claim that some of that lost money gets recycled as investments in the US.

The inescapable fact is that the foreign trade deficit is the reason the subprime housing bubble was so deleterious: those subprime mortgages would not have been subprime in 2008 if the middle class had reasonably decent jobs to pay their mortgages, but they did not because of the loss of jobs to global not-so-free-trade.

Similarly, the new subprime is the trillion dollar college loan monster, but once again, the college loans would not have been subprime if the college grads could get decent jobs, but they can't because of the foreign trade deficit.

[Zack Morris]

As Trump's "policies" begin to take some amorphous shape, we can now see in which direction they are headed: Stupid. And I mean with a capital 'S'! He's surrounding himself with idiots, so there goes one of the central pillars of his platform, that he would appoint the "smartest" people. And the more we delve into his history of anger issues and textbook extreme narcissism, the picture of the real Trump that is beginning to resolve itself is less business genius and more Antikardashian. I wonder what Nap has to say for himself and the "personal anecdotes" of Trump he was comforting himself with now?

Don't get me wrong, though. This will be the end of America regardless of whether Trump wins or not. But I'm thoroughly enjoying the implosion of American conservatism. The Republican elites wanted to play silly political games with their obstructionism and ended up being out-gamed. The Democrats are now the pro-business ticket. There just isn't enough brain power on the other side of the aisle

[Doc]

As Trump's "policies" begin to take some amorphous shape, we can now see in which direction they are headed: Stupid. And I mean with a capital 'S'! He's surrounding himself with idiots, so there goes one of the central pillars of his platform, that he would appoint the "smartest" people. And the more we delve into his history of anger issues and textbook extreme narcissism, the picture of the real Trump that is beginning to resolve itself is less business genius and more Antikardashian. I wonder what Nap has to say for himself and the "personal anecdotes" of Trump he was comforting himself with now?

Don't get me wrong, though. This will be the end of America regardless of whether Trump wins or not. But I'm thoroughly enjoying the implosion of American conservatism. The Republican elites wanted to play silly political games with their obstructionism and ended up being out-gamed. The Democrats are now the pro-business ticket. There just isn't enough brain power on the other side of the aisle

Zack don't be so terrified. Its only an election.

Mean while, in the Rust belt, 10,000 manufacturing jobs being lost PER MONTH. 4,000 added last month but once seasonally adjusted it will be another big loser. Where is the MSM on this one? Where are Obama's "Shovel ready jobs"? When will Hillary's economic development czar/first hubby find his way out of the women's rest room?

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/hopes ... iness.html

Hopes of factory jobs rebound fade in U.S. heartland

[manolo]

Here is the real reason Trump became unexpectedly popular: The $700 billion annual trade deficit of the US is nearly 4 % of the GDP. (If you combine China, Japan, EU, South America, and other countries, the grand total is over $700 billion per year). Clearly this is unsustainable. This is a measure of how much the middle class is getting impoverished regardless of how much the proponents of the so-called free trade claim that some of that lost money gets recycled as investments in the US.

The inescapable fact is that the foreign trade deficit is the reason the subprime housing bubble was so deleterious: those subprime mortgages would not have been subprime in 2008 if the middle class had reasonably decent jobs to pay their mortgages, but they did not because of the loss of jobs to global not-so-free-trade.

Similarly, the new subprime is the trillion dollar college loan monster, but once again, the college loans would not have been subprime if the college grads could get decent jobs, but they can't because of the foreign trade deficit.

HAL1000,

The rot set in with Reagan.

Alex.

[Doc]

Here is the real reason Trump became unexpectedly popular: The $700 billion annual trade deficit of the US is nearly 4 % of the GDP. (If you combine China, Japan, EU, South America, and other countries, the grand total is over $700 billion per year). Clearly this is unsustainable. This is a measure of how much the middle class is getting impoverished regardless of how much the proponents of the so-called free trade claim that some of that lost money gets recycled as investments in the US.

The inescapable fact is that the foreign trade deficit is the reason the subprime housing bubble was so deleterious: those subprime mortgages would not have been subprime in 2008 if the middle class had reasonably decent jobs to pay their mortgages, but they did not because of the loss of jobs to global not-so-free-trade.

Similarly, the new subprime is the trillion dollar college loan monster, but once again, the college loans would not have been subprime if the college grads could get decent jobs, but they can't because of the foreign trade deficit.

HAL1000,

The rot set in with Reagan.

Alex.

You are wrong about that. It started with George HW Bush's New world Order

[Zack Morris]

Who cares about the rust belt? This is not a problem of governance but of weak cultural values. There was ample warning of change but an inadequate work ethic, lack of respect for education, and regressive pre-modern attitudes holds them back. Nothing you can do about un-American people stuck in the last millennium.

[Demon of Undoing]

Who cares about the rust belt? This is not a problem of governance but of weak cultural values. There was ample warning of change but an inadequate work ethic, lack of respect for education, and regressive pre-modern attitudes holds them back. Nothing you can do about un-American people stuck in the last millennium.

Good to know the horsecrap stills flows thick and heavy on the commie- loving side of the aisle, here as well as in the Beltway.

I remember the good old days when socialists used to have a certain sympathy for regular folks that were outmaneuvered by huge business interests and evil governance. Inadequate work ethic? You mean they should, I don't know, not sleep or something? Or are you ignoring the historically high levels of hours worked by the American worker? Lack of respect for education? You mean the lack of respect that eventually led to ( nationally) too many college educated, not enough tradesmen- type profile that we have now? That one?

And what " pre- modern " attitudes? The ones that don't reflect every latest twist that the feminist -studies majors manage to puke through the TV/internet/ bedwetting left media?

Keep up with that line. Trump is up 5 with likely voters as of today. Your elitism will bring about President Trump. You deserve an actual fascist, but that's as good as we can manage.

[Typhoon]

Here is the real reason Trump became unexpectedly popular: The $700 billion annual trade deficit of the US is nearly 4 % of the GDP. (If you combine China, Japan, EU, South America, and other countries, the grand total is over $700 billion per year). Clearly this is unsustainable. This is a measure of how much the middle class is getting impoverished regardless of how much the proponents of the so-called free trade claim that some of that lost money gets recycled as investments in the US.

The inescapable fact is that the foreign trade deficit is the reason the subprime housing bubble was so deleterious: those subprime mortgages would not have been subprime in 2008 if the middle class had reasonably decent jobs to pay their mortgages, but they did not because of the loss of jobs to global not-so-free-trade.

Similarly, the new subprime is the trillion dollar college loan monster, but once again, the college loans would not have been subprime if the college grads could get decent jobs, but they can't because of the foreign trade deficit.

HAL1000,

The rot set in with Reagan.

Alex.

No, I would argue that the rot started with LBJ and his attempt to

1/ deepen US involvement in the Vietnam War through false pretenses and

2/ finance the same war by hiding it off budget

or if one is a student of US history, then further back with Delano and other East Coast blue bloods, so-called,
making their fortunes in the Opium Trade.

[Typhoon]

Who cares about the rust belt? This is not a problem of governance but of weak cultural values. There was ample warning of change but an inadequate work ethic,

When I lived near Chicago I spent time in the heart of the Rust Belt.

If there is one thing that Midwesterners do not lack, then it is a work ethic.

lack of respect for education,

For example?

Not having established institutions such as the University of Wisconsin, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, University of Ohio, and the University of Rochester, to name a few.

Not suporting two national research centres: Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

Economist | Rust Belt Revival

Jock culture is prevalent throughout the USA.

CityLab | Brain Grain and the Rise of the Rust Belt

and regressive pre-modern attitudes holds them back.

Oh? Such as? Not spending each and every day working themselves into an indignant raging mob of twits on Twitter?

Nothing you can do about un-American people stuck in the last millennium.

I once had a preconceived perception that the USA was a highly egalitarian society, possibly even more so than Japan at the time.

So probably the biggest surprise to me when I lived in the US Midwest was just how real and pervasive are class divisions in the USA and with how much disdain the elitists*, such as my work colleagues, held everyone else.

*Especially those from either the East or West Coast.

A view so succinctly and eloquently expressed above by our fellow poster.

[Typhoon]

Camille Paglia | PC feminists misfire again, as fearful elite media can’t touch Donald Trump

Can there be any finer demonstration of the insularity and mediocrity of today’s Manhattan prestige media? Wow, millionaire workaholic Donald Trump chased young, beautiful, willing women and liked to boast about it. Jail him now! Meanwhile, the New York Times remains mute about Bill Clinton’s long record of crude groping and grosser assaults—not one example of which could be found to taint Trump.

Too good not to quote

Blame for this fiasco falls squarely upon the New York Times editors who delegated to two far too young journalists, Michael Barbaro and Megan Twohey, the complex task of probing the glitzy, exhibitionistic world of late-twentieth-century beauty pageants, gambling casinos, strip clubs, and luxury resorts. Neither Barbaro, a 2002 graduate of Yale, nor Twohey, a 1998 graduate of Georgetown University, had any frame of reference for sexual analysis aside from the rote political correctness that has saturated elite American campuses for nearly 40 years. Their prim, priggish formulations in this awkwardly disconnected article demonstrate the embarrassing lack of sophistication that passes for theoretical expertise among their over-paid and under-educated professors.

When I saw the reporters’ defensive interview on Monday with CNN anchors Kate Bolduan and John Berman, I felt sorry for the earnest, owlish Barbaro, who seems like a nice fellow who has simply wandered out of his depth. But Twohey, with her snippy, bright and shiny careerism, took a page from the slippery Hillary playbook in the way she blatheringly evaded any direct answer to a pointed question about how Rowanne Brewer Lane’s pleasantly flirtatious first meeting with Trump at a crowded 1990 pool party at Mar-a-Lago ended up being called “a debasing face-to-face encounter” in the Times. The hidden agenda of advocacy journalism has rarely been caught so red-handed.