Thoughts on the Trump presidency

[dgl]

Sounds like it's more a blockade of Iran's ports than the Strait itself, with America warships accompanying ships through.
Ships are able to get through just not, in theory, dock in Iran (at least on the Strait).

 

[SteveP29]

It must be 10 years since I had long conversations at 1 am with a former neighbour then living in Arizona. He'd be over 100 now but his likely views might even be to the right of Trump. I stopped communications with his widow because hers certainly would be. Both were very keen on being well armed and I gather their house was well fortified against possible intruders.

Does it never occur to people like this to look into the reasons WHY they need such an arsenal and defensive measures?
Surely having more guns etc just leads to more deaths, more shootings, more disablement (which surely leads to more crime when people are unable to provide for themselves and/ or their families)

Do they never look at a country like the UK and wonder why everyone doesn't go around with a gun on their hip or in a readied state in their houses?
(don't answer that, because they always come back with 'you have a knife problem' as if that excuses them their weapons, not withstanding the several instances where I've had arguments with Americans where I tell them you at least have a chance of survival/ disarming/ hurting an attacker with a knife from 3 feet, than you do with somebody with a gun. I guess life means nothing to them, unless you're a foetus)

 

[bleeder4]

Does it never occur to people like this to look into the reasons WHY they need such an arsenal and defensive measures?
Surely having more guns etc just leads to more deaths, more shootings, more disablement (which surely leads to more crime when people are unable to provide for themselves and/ or their families)

Do they never look at a country like the UK and wonder why everyone doesn't go around with a gun on their hip or in a readied state in their houses?
(don't answer that, because they always come back with 'you have a knife problem' as if that excuses them their weapons, not withstanding the several instances where I've had arguments with Americans where I tell them you at least have a chance of survival/ disarming/ hurting an attacker with a knife from 3 feet, than you do with somebody with a gun. I guess life means nothing to them, unless you're a foetus)

It's their culture. It's ingrained in them. Every country has it's own culture and societal norms. I've no doubt there are aspects of our culture which Americans and those from other countries cannot understand. I don't think it's our place to go around judging other countries because their culture contains things that we find baffling. We wouldn't want people from other countries to do that to us.

 

[The exile]

It's their culture. It's ingrained in them. Every country has it's own culture and societal norms. I've no doubt there are aspects of our culture which Americans and those from other countries cannot understand.

Clearly there’s a difference because the result is death, not offence, but guns are so ingrained that being without one is like being without clothes (in summer) would be to most of us.

 

[Meole]

Talking with a nurse sat next to me on a flight into Denver for a shift a few weeks back she told me every colleague keeps a hand gun in their car for protection, some take them into hospital although its frowned on, often get reprimanded for forgetfully taking them onto planes in their handbag.

 

[Broucek]

It's their culture. It's ingrained in them. Every country has it's own culture and societal norms. I've no doubt there are aspects of our culture which Americans and those from other countries cannot understand. I don't think it's our place to go around judging other countries because their culture contains things that we find baffling. We wouldn't want people from other countries to do that to us.

Wise words. Always easier to spot blindspots in other people/societies than our own

 

[edwin_m]

Does it never occur to people like this to look into the reasons WHY they need such an arsenal and defensive measures?
Surely having more guns etc just leads to more deaths, more shootings, more disablement (which surely leads to more crime when people are unable to provide for themselves and/ or their families)

I'd say it's got a lot to do with a culture where problems are seen to be resolved via a shootout. The spirit of self-reliance and taking the law into your own hands may go right back to the militias of the war of independence via the Wild West. In films set in that era and also in many modern American film and TV productions the good guy rights a wrong using force of arms - even in light-hearted productions such as the A Team where the gory consequences aren't shown. So if you're the good guy (and everyone always considers themself to be the good guy) you need more or better arms than the bad guy and the willingness to use them.

Obviously this isn't universal across all Americans but it does seem to apply to a significant proportion, particularly in those former Wild West states. It may also inform the country's actions internationally., particularly under a leader like Bush Jr or Trump who draws support from that demographic.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Clearly there’s a difference because the result is death, not offence, but guns are so ingrained that being without one is like being without clothes (in summer) would be to most of us.

This is a gross exageration. In many north-eastern states (including both New York and Massachusetts) less than 25% of households own a gun and in both Illinois and California that rate is below 30%.

 

[Harpo]

To me, Trump has crossed two big lines this week in both his extraordinary outburst against the Pope and in his portrayal as a Christ-like figure.

My immediate perception is that Trump’s ego has now inflated to the extent that he no longer considers anyone, or anything, to be above him: Perhaps he never did?

 

[dorsetdesiro]

Probably the reason they're Americans and we're Brits. If the USA hadn't broken away the way they had they may possibly become similiar to Canada, getting their indepedence at a different date, would likely be more rational like most Canadians and blue state Americans.

The American independence, revolution and civil war would have left those with war-like & survival mindset together with religion and ignorace of matters outside their country.

I've spent time in Massachusetts & around New England, the locals didn't come across as "MAGA radical" and I felt safe in Boston & other nearby cities. I was stopped in New Hampshire for speeding, the cop didn't draw out his gun and was very polite when I handed over my licence. Not sure I would get this same reception from a Florida or Texas cop, I could be shouted at to get face down on the road!

There are of course reasonable Americans, likely Democrats and of soft-reds & purples, but when pitted against conservatives & MAGA radicals - if the damage is done even after Trump has gone, the sows may have been seeded then there's the worrying possible aspect of the much speculated civil war in America.

 

[The exile]

This is a gross exageration. In many north-eastern states (including both New York and Massachusetts) less than 25% of households own a gun and in both Illinois and California that rate is below 30%.

Sorry - should have added “to those who think that way”.

 

[3141]

It's their culture. It's ingrained in them. Every country has it's own culture and societal norms. I've no doubt there are aspects of our culture which Americans and those from other countries cannot understand. I don't think it's our place to go around judging other countries because their culture contains things that we find baffling. We wouldn't want people from other countries to do that to us.

I think we are entirely justified in expressing judgements about other countries, and also other individuals, provided that we have have got the relevant facts correct and we express our views in a reasonable way. We might not like it if others "judge" us, but if they have got the facts right and they have expressed their view in a reasonable manner, it would be sensible of us to listen.

 

[AlterEgo]

Talking with a nurse sat next to me on a flight into Denver for a shift a few weeks back she told me every colleague keeps a hand gun in their car for protection, some take them into hospital although its frowned on, often get reprimanded for forgetfully taking them onto planes in their handbag.

You don't get reprimanded for taking a firearm through security, you get arrested and there are massive fines for this.

 

[Acey]

It's their culture. It's ingrained in them. Every country has it's own culture and societal norms. I've no doubt there are aspects of our culture which Americans and those from other countries cannot understand. I don't think it's our place to go around judging other countries because their culture contains things that we find baffling. We wouldn't want people from other countries to do that to us.

'you have a knife problem'
I think the USA pro- rata has marginally more knife related deaths than the UK !

 

[Killingworth]

Our comments are all very well, but how does the Republican party get out of the hole it's dug itself with Donald (a former Democrat when it suited better) and his adherents?

One of the reasons we're all in this mess with the US, a very big global mess, is that the US doesn't have an alternative opposition leader who could takeover. The Democrats can criticise Trump but aren't they partially to blame by running Hilary Clinton in 2016 much as a token woman, effectively telling America that VP Biden wasn't up to the job? Then having nobody stronger than previously passed over, 4 years older, Biden in 2020. Keeping him in place then him pushing for a second term left Trump leaning on an open door.

Have Democrats a strong candidate free of any financial or domestic issues who can put together a team of like minded individuals able to withstand all the abuse and scrutiny they'll inevitably receive between now and 2029?

Because by 2030 there's going to be one gigantic mess (other words may be inserted there) to be sorted out and an even more divided society along with it. It doesn't bode well viewed today.

I might be wrong and hope I am.

 

[brad465]

Our comments are all very well, but how does the Republican party get out of the hole it's dug itself with Donald (a former Democrat when it suited better) and his adherents?

One of the reasons we're all in this mess with the US, a very big global mess, is that the US doesn't have an alternative opposition leader who could takeover. The Democrats can criticise Trump but aren't they partially to blame by running Hilary Clinton in 2016 much as a token woman, effectively telling America that VP Biden wasn't up to the job? Then having nobody stronger than previously passed over, 4 years older, Biden in 2020. Keeping him in place then him pushing for a second term left Trump leaning on an open door.

Have Democrats a strong candidate free of any financial or domestic issues who can put together a team of like minded individuals able to withstand all the abuse and scrutiny they'll inevitably receive between now and 2029?

Because by 2030 there's going to be one gigantic mess (other words may be inserted there) to be sorted out and an even more divided society along with it. It doesn't bode well viewed today.

I might be wrong and hope I am.

The US really needs a multi-party PR model (as does the UK, but that's another story). At the moment the other party can get in just by the incumbent being awful, even if the challenger isn't hugely credible. Plus two choices makes for very confrontational divide and rule in pursuit of majority control. If multiple parties exist in a proportional system, more choice is available, parties will then have to work together more and more competent individuals are likely to prevail.

 

[edwin_m]

The Democrats can criticise Trump but aren't they partially to blame by running Hilary Clinton in 2016 much as a token woman, effectively telling America that VP Biden wasn't up to the job?

To note, Biden's son had died in 2015 and I don't believe the father was interested in standing in 2016.

 

[martin butler]

America has always been very inward looking, and with a few exceptions are not outward looking towards the wider world,
The Americans I know well, are those that travelled, and experienced what other cultures can offer, they are now settled here in the UK and have said that they prefer our way of life, and don't want to return to live in the US, certainly whilst things are so unpredictable.

I think that's the problem, Some Americans chose not to experience the world outside of their own city, state, so they never learn, never expand their own horizons,

When the founding fathers wrote the constitution, I don't think they ever envisaged that a totally unsuited person, would be able to con his way into the white house, and engineer it so he can't easily be removed,

 

[Meole]

Our comments are all very well, but how does the Republican party get out of the hole it's dug itself with Donald (a former Democrat when it suited better) and his adherents?

One of the reasons we're all in this mess with the US, a very big global mess, is that the US doesn't have an alternative opposition leader who could takeover. The Democrats can criticise Trump but aren't they partially to blame by running Hilary Clinton in 2016 much as a token woman, effectively telling America that VP Biden wasn't up to the job? Then having nobody stronger than previously passed over, 4 years older, Biden in 2020. Keeping him in place then him pushing for a second term left Trump leaning on an open door.

Have Democrats a strong candidate free of any financial or domestic issues who can put together a team of like minded individuals able to withstand all the abuse and scrutiny they'll inevitably receive between now and 2029?

Because by 2030 there's going to be one gigantic mess (other words may be inserted there) to be sorted out and an even more divided society along with it. It doesn't bode well viewed today.

I might be wrong and hope I am.

The big issue is not so much the leader but the fact that both houses of Congress are under his control, this is unusual and may well cease after the mid terms.

 

[The Ham]

To me, Trump has crossed two big lines this week in both his extraordinary outburst against the Pope and in his portrayal as a Christ-like figure.

My immediate perception is that Trump’s ego has now inflated to the extent that he no longer considers anyone, or anything, to be above him: Perhaps he never did?

I don't know what image you mean, the Great and Glorious Leader (may he live forever) said that he's a doctor*.


*I don't know many doctors with glowing hands, but he said so, therefore it can't be fake news and therefore it must most defiantly be a doctor (not anything at all with religious icons)

 

[eyebrook1961]

I don't know what image you mean, the Great and Glorious Leader (may he live forever) said that he's a doctor*.


*I don't know many doctors with glowing hands, but he said so, therefore it can't be fake news and therefore it must most defiantly be a doctor (not anything at all with religious icons)

Doctor Strange???

 

[ainsworth74]

When the founding fathers wrote the constitution, I don't think they ever envisaged that a totally unsuited person, would be able to con his way into the white house, and engineer it so he can't easily be removed,

They absolutely did, why do you think so many powers are given to Congress and the Judiciary? The writers of the Constitution were very very careful to avoid the Presidency gaining King like powers.

What they did not anticipate would be a Congress that would happily give up all of it's powers and, when it does occasionally choose to still use them, use them at the direction of whatever the President wants. They also did not anticipate a judiciary and in particular a Supreme Court which would also become hyper partisan and would rule, to a great extent, on party lines.

Remember that Congress could end this any time they choose to do so. That they do not is, in many ways, more damning than anything else that's going on.

 

[Darandio]

Was this posted here already? Credit where credit is due, it's fantastic.

The Iranian Embassy in South Africa has posted an animated video of US President Donald Trump singing about a “blockade” in the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions continue in the region.

Shared on X with the caption, “And today’s popular music: ‘Blockade’ by Trump,” the clip has quickly gone viral on social media. Created by the account ‘Snicklink’, the animation shows Trump singing “Blockade, Blockade” amid the ongoing conflict around the key shipping route.

Video shows an AI video created by the Iranian Embassy (South Africa?) mocking trump.

 

[Annetts key]

They absolutely did, why do you think so many powers are given to Congress and the Judiciary? The writers of the Constitution were very very careful to avoid the Presidency gaining King like powers.

What they did not anticipate would be a Congress that would happily give up all of it's powers and, when it does occasionally choose to still use them, use them at the direction of whatever the President wants. They also did not anticipate a judiciary and in particular a Supreme Court which would also become hyper partisan and would rule, to a great extent, on party lines.

Remember that Congress could end this any time they choose to do so. That they do not is, in many ways, more damning than anything else that's going on.

Indeed, if Congress (with a simple majority in the House of Representatives and a two-thirds majority in the Senate) wanted to, they could impeach and convict Trump in one or two days. They could do the same for Hegseth as well if they wanted to.

 

[Killingworth]

Indeed, if Congress (with a simple majority in the House of Representatives and a two-thirds majority in the Senate) wanted to, they could impeach and convict Trump in one or two days. They could do the same for Hegseth as well if they wanted to.

But assuming they did (or do) what would (or will) come next - other than a different chaos?

America has always been very inward looking, and with a few exceptions are not outward looking towards the wider world,
The Americans I know well, are those that travelled, and experienced what other cultures can offer, they are now settled here in the UK and have said that they prefer our way of life, and don't want to return to live in the US, certainly whilst things are so unpredictable.

I think that's the problem, Some Americans chose not to experience the world outside of their own city, state, so they never learn, never expand their own horizons,

A large number of Americans have spent time abroad - isolated in large islands of American culture within their military bases without knowledge of the local language (bit like most Brits to be fair) and customs. Gathered together they tend not to get involved in local activities as there's so much of home on their base.

 

[Uncle Buck]

One of the reasons we're all in this mess with the US, a very big global mess, is that the US doesn't have an alternative opposition leader who could takeover. The Democrats can criticise Trump but aren't they partially to blame by running Hilary Clinton in 2016 much as a token woman, effectively telling America that VP Biden wasn't up to the job? Then having nobody stronger than previously passed over, 4 years older, Biden in 2020. Keeping him in place then him pushing for a second term left Trump leaning on an open door.

Have Democrats a strong candidate free of any financial or domestic issues who can put together a team of like minded individuals able to withstand all the abuse and scrutiny they'll inevitably receive between now and 2029?

The Democrats ran three tarnished and unpopular candidates: Hillary Clinton, with the baggage (deserved or not) of an ocean liner and an attitude of “vote for me, it’s my turn”*; Biden, who was clearly senile, and whose senility was covered up by the media, and who had a history of ethically questionable conduct, particularly as it related to his son Hunter; and Harris, who was a terrible public speaker.

It is easy to get on one’s high horse and pontificate that these attributes shouldn’t matter, particularly when compared to a lunatic like Trump, but these things do matter in any election in any country, and on this side of the pond we are hardly innocent of supporting charlatans who tell us easy solutions in a compelling way.

The Democrats’ agenda under Biden was also a major factor in Trump’s return. It’s outdated to say that Democrats are well to the right of our Labour Party; their policies on immigration, law enforcement, gender issues, abortion and environmentalism were controversial and divisive- and similar issues are just as controversial and divisive over here.

Essentially, if they had really cared about stopping Trump they should have anvoided taking positions which alienated many conservative voters, and they should have nominated a good candidate. That they did neither of these things tells me that they would rather indulge themselves, and don’t really care about Trump.

It's their culture. It's ingrained in them. Every country has its own culture and societal norms. I've no doubt there are aspects of our culture which Americans and those from other countries cannot understand. I don't think it's our place to go around judging other countries because their culture contains things that we find baffling. We wouldn't want people from other countries to do that to us.

I believe there were no restrictions on guns in this country until the 1920s (when so many ex-servicemen were walking around with their war weapons that it became a problem). In old novels the characters often just pick up some firearams!

Does it never occur to people like this to look into the reasons WHY they need such an arsenal and defensive measures?
Surely having more guns etc just leads to more deaths, more shootings, more disablement (which surely leads to more crime when people are unable to provide for themselves and/ or their families)

Do they never look at a country like the UK and wonder why everyone doesn't go around with a gun on their hip or in a readied state in their houses?

Unfortunately it is realistically unlikely that anything can ever really be done about America’s relationship with guns. There are so many about that it would never be possible to control them. In those circumstances it may be rational for one person to own a gun.

[*= when Clinton announced her 2016 presidential bid in 2015, as soon as I watched her announcement, I bet a friend that she would lose; I just had a feeling]

 

[najaB]

and Harris, who was a terrible public speaker

If your primary criticism of Harris is that she's a bad public speaker I take it you've never heard DJT speaking. Sorry, doing "the weave".

 

[Altnashin]

If your primary criticism of Harris is that she's a bad public speaker I take it you've never heard DJT speaking. Sorry, doing "the weave".

That’s all part of the charm, didn’t you know

 

[Uncle Buck]

If your primary criticism of Harris is that she's a bad public speaker I take it you've never heard DJT speaking. Sorry, doing "the weave".

You’re missing the point. It was already known that Trump would command the support of c.43% of the American public. If the Democrats wanted to ensure his defeat they should have selected a great orator. Harris is a terrible public speaker.

 

[Krokodil]

The Democrats ran three tarnished and unpopular candidates

Trump was as tarnished as it is possible to get. He still won, twice. The double standards are insane, Democrats are expected to be saints while no one blinks at the long list of Republican scandals. Fox News propaganda is a major part of this.

The Democrats’ agenda under Biden was also a major factor in Trump’s return.

Biddn's economy was a strong one, recovering from the disaster he inherited. Not that the narrative would tell you that, again the propaganda from Fox et al is to blame.

One of the most key changes that needs to form part of the denazification process in the US is that cable TV needs to come into the FCC's remit too.