Donald Trump is the President Mark IV (Read Mod Warning in OP)

Harry Palmr · 27-09-2018 10:25am

Sounds slightly wired.

looksee · 27-09-2018 10:28am

I was just thinking about today's hearing and realised I am no longer watching events unfold as a real government of a real country that could affect the rest of the world, I am watching it like a soap opera. It doesn't matter, its entertainment. Trump and the US government can not be taken seriously, its a (bad) movie, its not really happening. Trump rambles and boasts and the rest of the world smirks and ignores him.

Has anything happened that cannot be undone? Have attitudes been changed for ever? For good or for bad? Will this be a minor blip in history, or has something changed in perception of the way governments work? Should we be worried or just exasperated?

duploelabs · 27-09-2018 10:35am

Rjd2 wrote: »

For better or worse that's how it works.

As this is not a criminal trial, presumption of innocence is not in place

Dohnjoe · 27-09-2018 10:43am

looksee wrote: »

I was just thinking about today's hearing and realised I am no longer watching events unfold as a real government of a real country that could affect the rest of the world, I am watching it like a soap opera. It doesn't matter, its entertainment. Trump and the US government can not be taken seriously, its a (bad) movie, its not really happening. Trump rambles and boasts and the rest of the world smirks and ignores him.

Has anything happened that cannot be undone? Have attitudes been changed for ever? For good or for bad? Will this be a minor blip in history, or has something changed in perception of the way governments work? Should we be worried or just exasperated?

Will you be placating yourself when he wins a second term?

Zubeneschamali · 27-09-2018 11:12am

Dohnjoe wrote: »

Will you be placating yourself when he wins a second term?

Trump is not so bad for us in Europe so far, his policies mostly damage the US.

His tariff policies will impact trade and cost us all a few Euros, but it is small beer compared to Brexit. Making the US a less reliable ally is probably good for Europe in the medium term, motivating some unifying European action.

Of course if he decides to pull a Bush and start a war to boost his numbers, that will be bad, but I think few in Washington have the appetite for that. He certainly won't be picking up a coalition of European allies for a vanity war.

jooksavage · 27-09-2018 11:39am

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Trump is not so bad for us in Europe so far, his policies mostly damage the US.

His tariff policies will impact trade and cost us all a few Euros, but it is small beer compared to Brexit. Making the US a less reliable ally is probably good for Europe in the medium term, motivating some unifying European action.

Of course if he decides to pull a Bush and start a war to boost his numbers, that will be bad, but I think few in Washington have the appetite for that. He certainly won't be picking up a coalition of European allies for a vanity war.

The real danger is global economic downturn. At the moment, there's a general upswing and we feel like we can afford take the US for granted but that won't last forever. If anything on the scale of 2008 occurs with Trump in office, I dread to think what will happen.

Zubeneschamali · 27-09-2018 11:46am

jooksavage wrote: »

The real danger is global economic downturn.

There will be a downturn anyway, it is inevitable, so Trump causing one is just timing.

jooksavage · 27-09-2018 11:47am

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

There will be a downturn anyway, it is inevitable, so Trump causing one is just timing.

Downturns are absolutely inevitable. My point is that when that day comes around, God help us all if the man at the helm of the world's largest economy has nothing to offer the world except "America First"

Water John · 27-09-2018 11:50am

He can just go for bankruptcy of the US, as he did with his own business whenever the going got tough.

everlast75 · 27-09-2018 11:50am

The fact that this hearing is going ahead today is I.N.S.A.N.E. How any woman can vote for the Reps come November is mind blowing (accept of course the Christian base, who are so intent on revoking abortion rights, anything else goes).

I hope it goes to the vote tomorrow and 1 of the 3 possibles vote him down.

Pelvis · 27-09-2018 11:52am

It is insane, but I will be glued to the screen!!

Water John · 27-09-2018 11:53am

Another possibility is, he gets confirmed but the Dems impeach him whenever they get control of the Senate. That might be the best outcome for them but not for the accusers.

jooksavage · 27-09-2018 11:58am

Lawrence O'Donnel reporting last night that Collins' support for Kavanaugh has softended: in a meeting with colleagues yesterday she pushed for an FBI investigation into the claims and voiced alarm at the way things proceeding. Listening to the guys in fivethirtyeight, before Avenattis documents release they were 3:1 of the opinion that Kavanaugh was toast. We'll see.

Thepoet85 · 27-09-2018 12:00pm

What time is the hearing, and will it be televised? Sorry if already asked and answered.

Pelvis · 27-09-2018 12:02pm

Thepoet85 wrote: »

What time is the hearing, and will it be televised? Sorry if already asked and answered.

3pm our time. It will be live on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6EF0nuFjCw

pixelburp · 27-09-2018 12:03pm

everlast75 wrote: »

The fact that this hearing is going ahead today is I.N.S.A.N.E. How any woman can vote for the Reps come November is mind blowing (accept of course the Christian base, who are so intent on revoking abortion rights, anything else goes).

I hope it goes to the vote tomorrow and 1 of the 3 possibles vote him down.

What has been quite noteworthy was how loud and clichéd the Republication defence of Kavaunagh has been. They've hit nearly every victim-blaming soundbite imaginable ("Why didn't she report it before?", "Good women wouldn't go to those kind of parties" etc...), coupled with pretty blunt appeals towards piety, and I do wonder how much of this might resonate with women voters in the US.

I'm not so naive to think there won't be those who agree with that line of thinking - the female vote for Trump was something like 46% wasn't it? - but equally you'd have to wonder if others have looked at the narrative and found a distasteful familiarity with the claims made. The GOP has circled the wagons, fronted by octogenarians emphasising a cultural dissonance, and it may - may - only serve to galvanise voters to punish these outdated defences.

Christy42 · 27-09-2018 12:10pm

Trump gave the percentage of white women voting for him as the percentage of women voting for him.

Most likely he saw a number somewhere. Misread it, never bothered to check and keeps shouting it as it makes him feel good in spite of it showing him up as an idiot.

As for downturns. Certainly they happen and will happen in the future. However frequency, length and severity are all controllable factors. Though to control but possible. There are reasons Germany handled 2008 better than Ireland for instance.

FreudianSlippers · 27-09-2018 12:16pm

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

There will be a downturn anyway, it is inevitable, so Trump causing one is just timing.

He can have a serious impact on when it happens, how bad it is and how quick/strong a recovery is. Let's not suggest that this is all inevitable... so ‾\_(ツ)_/‾

everlast75 · 27-09-2018 12:17pm

pixelburp wrote: »

What has been quite noteworthy was how loud and clichéd the Republication defence of Kavaunagh has been. They've hit nearly every victim-blaming soundbite imaginable ("Why didn't she report it before?", "Good women wouldn't go to those kind of parties" etc...), coupled with pretty blunt appeals towards piety, and I do wonder how much of this might resonate with women voters in the US.

I'm not so naive to think there won't be those who agree with that line of thinking - the female vote for Trump was something like 46% wasn't it? - but equally you'd have to wonder if others have looked at the narrative and found a distasteful familiarity with the claims made. The GOP has circled the wagons, fronted by octogenarians emphasising a cultural dissonance, and it may - may - only serve to galvanise voters to punish these outdated defences.

To your first point, check this out..
Thankfully, the Ms. Powers completely made toast of him

https://twitter.com/AC360/status/1045114825280376832?s=19

EltonJohn69 · 27-09-2018 12:30pm

That guy is mad as hell, maybe be screaming at a woman is not the best look at a time like this

Penn · 27-09-2018 12:39pm

EltonJohn69 wrote: »

That guy is mad as hell, maybe be screaming at a woman is not the best look at a time like this

Well at least he offset it with his claim that women will have to fear their sons being accused of sexual assault if we carry on like this.

See, he's a champion for women! Sure, most women already fear being a victim of sexual assault, but their sons being accused of sexual assault is going to be much harder for them to deal with.

listermint · 27-09-2018 12:41pm

Dohnjoe wrote: »

Will you be placating yourself when he wins a second term?

Trump will not get a second term. You can bookmark this and post in on your wall at home.

It wont happen.

SimonTemplar · 27-09-2018 12:54pm

listermint wrote: »

Trump will not get a second term. You can bookmark this and post in on your wall at home.

It wont happen.

A lot of people posted similar things saying he won't win the election. As horrible as it would be to see him win again, I wouldn't bet my savings on him loosing.

Pelvis · 27-09-2018 12:55pm

Will the prosecutor being brought in to ask the questions of Dr. Ford also question Kavanaugh? All media reports so far seem to suggest not.

everlast75 · 27-09-2018 12:59pm

Pelvis wrote: »

Will the prosecutor being brought in to ask the questions of Dr. Ford also question Kavanaugh? All media reports so far seem to suggest not.

Mu understanding is that she will question him also. If so,you can bet they will be softballs

SimonTemplar wrote: »

A lot of people posted similar things saying he won't win the election. As horrible as it would be to see him win again, I wouldn't bet my savings on him loosing.

He won't even last to the end of this term. I have made an educated guess that he will be gone by Christmas

Christy42 · 27-09-2018 1:12pm

everlast75 wrote: »

pixelburp wrote: »

What has been quite noteworthy was how loud and clichéd the Republication defence of Kavaunagh has been. They've hit nearly every victim-blaming soundbite imaginable ("Why didn't she report it before?", "Good women wouldn't go to those kind of parties" etc...), coupled with pretty blunt appeals towards piety, and I do wonder how much of this might resonate with women voters in the US.

I'm not so naive to think there won't be those who agree with that line of thinking - the female vote for Trump was something like 46% wasn't it? - but equally you'd have to wonder if others have looked at the narrative and found a distasteful familiarity with the claims made. The GOP has circled the wagons, fronted by octogenarians emphasising a cultural dissonance, and it may - may - only serve to galvanise voters to punish these outdated defences.

To your first point, check this out..
Thankfully, the Ms. Powers completely made toast of him

https://twitter.com/AC360/status/1045114825280376832?s=19

Christ he not stand to let her finish a sentence. He just kept interrupting. She kept remarkably calm in front of the hysterics.

Also does Trump taught them to put quarters in a sock have an alternate meaning? I guess maybe saving money but that would not fit the context even slightly. It really just sounds like a domestic violence reference.

listermint · 27-09-2018 1:18pm

SimonTemplar wrote: »

A lot of people posted similar things saying he won't win the election. As horrible as it would be to see him win again, I wouldn't bet my savings on him loosing.

As i said you can bookmark my post as a favourite. Trump will not have a second term.

If thats via impeachment , illness or simply getting racked over the coals by the electorate he wont have a second term.

pixelburp · 27-09-2018 1:27pm

everlast75 wrote: »

To your first point, check this out..
Thankfully, the Ms. Powers completely made toast of him

https://twitter.com/AC360/status/1045114825280376832?s=19

Wow, the phrase "The lady doth protest too much" springs to mind here; I'm wondering about bookmarking that tweet in case of any future (inevitable) case against Caputo.

A remarkably un-selfaware performance, shouting over the woman while trying to reframe the narrative; I'm immediately suspicious of anyone who tries to argue that the real victims are all those young men who'll be targets of accusations. Can't help by theorise it's retrospective justification for past indiscretions.

Quin_Dub · 27-09-2018 1:27pm

listermint wrote: »

As i said you can bookmark my post as a favourite. Trump will not have a second term.

If thats via impeachment , illness or simply getting racked over the coals by the electorate he wont have a second term.

The validity of that view depends entirely on the result of the mid-terms.

If the Dems take both houses - I'd agree with you , he's gone within a few months.

If they just take Congress and not the Senate , I think he lasts a bit longer..

If they don't take either and the GOP hold both houses , then all bets are off for 2020.

qwerty ui op · 27-09-2018 1:37pm

It's already 3rd or 4th story now and will be old news by tomorrow but i'd love to hear from pro-trump about the UN laughter.
"In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country.

(Laughter)

Americas- so true

(They laugh even louder)

Didn't expect that, but it's ok.

Then at the press conference Trump said they weren't laughing at him they were laughing with him, they were having fun.

So what was the big joke then?
was it sarcasm?
is he saying his presidency is a joke?
were they having fun at the expense of any fool who would believe that B/S?

aloyisious · 27-09-2018 1:40pm

The thing about the "why would good girls go to parties" question is it's implicit in the question that the parties were bad in the first place. That say's a lot about the boys [incl Kavanaugh] at the parties No one from the GOP making adverse statements about the Prof is recognizing that side of the coin, instead consistently attacking her and the other girls.

Even the women who've come out in support of Kavanaugh are doing exactly that, directly attacking any girl/woman who went to any of the parties [bad girls all] and the kicker is that the supporting women were [apparently] NOT at any of the parties so their Kavanaugh supporting witness statements aren't worth the paper they are written on, unless they are prepared to state that they knew the parties had one purpose only, to provide girls to satisfy the sexual desires of the boys and that's why they didn't go. That is never going to happen because it'd be a GOP recant.

Captain Obvious · 27-09-2018 1:40pm

qwerty ui op wrote: »

It's already 3rd or 4th story now and will be old news by tomorrow but i'd love to hear from pro-trump about the UN laughter.
"In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country.

(Laughter)

Americas- so true

(They laugh even louder)

Didn't expect that, but it's ok.

Then at the press conference Trump said they weren't laughing at him they were laughing with him, they were having fun.

So what was the big joke then?
was it sarcasm?
is he saying his presidency is a joke?
were they having fun at the expense of any fool who would believe that B/S?

Don't hold your breath. One of them will be along in a bit to post a long propaganda piece unrelated to the conversation and will refuse to engage with anyone on anything they say. Another will make some comparison to how it's not as bad as something someone else did.

listermint · 27-09-2018 1:41pm

Quin_Dub wrote: »

The validity of that view depends entirely on the result of the mid-terms.

If the Dems take both houses - I'd agree with you , he's gone within a few months.

If they just take Congress and not the Senate , I think he lasts a bit longer..

If they don't take either and the GOP hold both houses , then all bets are off for 2020.

My validity stems from the obvious shift in the people who previously used to support trump or the floating voters who just wanted to see what he was like. To the massive shift in terms of things like Nike's decision. I think the wider US population has had enough. So either is impeached, he steps out because he doesnt want a second term or he loses at the ballot box. I dont think you can pull the same con twice.

He wont get the second term.

everlast75 · 27-09-2018 1:45pm

qwerty ui op wrote: »

It's already 3rd or 4th story now and will be old news by tomorrow but i'd love to hear from pro-trump about the UN laughter.
"In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country.

(Laughter)

Americas- so true

(They laugh even louder)

Didn't expect that, but it's ok.

Then at the press conference Trump said they weren't laughing at him they were laughing with him, they were having fun.

So what was the big joke then?
was it sarcasm?
is he saying his presidency is a joke?
were they having fun at the expense of any fool who would believe that B/S?

As someone wrote online, it was a "Booo" or "Boo..Urns" moment

aloyisious · 27-09-2018 1:48pm

qwerty ui op wrote: »

It's already 3rd or 4th story now and will be old news by tomorrow but i'd love to hear from pro-trump about the UN laughter.
"In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country.

(Laughter)

Americas- so true

(They laugh even louder)

Didn't expect that, but it's ok.

Then at the press conference Trump said they weren't laughing at him they were laughing with him, they were having fun.

So what was the big joke then?
was it sarcasm?
is he saying his presidency is a joke?
were they having fun at the expense of any fool who would believe that B/S?

Back room [Pence & Kelly] staff comforting him later [it's OK, Mr President, it's a reverse compliment, they really admire you for your honesty - Don; really, you think so?].

Quin_Dub · 27-09-2018 1:48pm

qwerty ui op wrote: »

It's already 3rd or 4th story now and will be old news by tomorrow but i'd love to hear from pro-trump about the UN laughter.
"In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country.

(Laughter)

Americas- so true

(They laugh even louder)

Didn't expect that, but it's ok.

Then at the press conference Trump said they weren't laughing at him they were laughing with him, they were having fun.

So what was the big joke then?
was it sarcasm?
is he saying his presidency is a joke?
were they having fun at the expense of any fool who would believe that B/S?

UN Ambassador Nikki Haley said Wednesday that world leaders who laughed during President Donald Trump's speech to the United Nations did so because "they loved how honest he is."

Haley said on Fox News that the press was wrong to portray the laughter as disrespectful to the president.

"They loved how honest he is," Haley said on the Fox and Friends show. "It’s not diplomatic and they find it funny."

She said diplomats were "falling over themselves" to get a picture with Trump and tell him "how great his speech was."

"They love that he’s honest with them and they’ve never seen anything like it, so there’s respect there," she said. "I saw that the media was trying to make it something disrespectful. That’s not what it was. They love to be with him."

No.no , he's not naked.. Look at the wonderful cut of the Emperors suit , only the truly stylish can appreciate it!!

Stallingrad · 27-09-2018 1:50pm

When I saw it I genuinely got the impression he thought they were laughing with him, as if he had said something witty. He did a little pause as if to compute. I don't think it entered his head for a second that they may be laughing at him. Classic narcissist, the narrative in his head has nothing to do with reality.

Leroy42 · 27-09-2018 2:00pm

Stallingrad wrote: »

When I saw it I genuinely got the impression he thought they were laughing with him, as if he had said something witty. He did a little pause as if to compute. I don't think it entered his head for a second that they may be laughing at him. Classic narcissist, the narrative in his head has nothing to do with reality.

Seth Myers had a good take on it. He uses the same narrative in all his speech's at his events. The crowds at them never laugh.

So is he now claiming that it is all just a joke and that his supporters are simply not getting it, and thus all their holliering and whooping is actually totally misplaced as he is just having a laugh?

ct5amr2ig1nfhp · 27-09-2018 2:04pm

About to start. WP have it live, in case anyone is looking for a link. WP live youtube

Pelvis · 27-09-2018 2:06pm

God this must be absolutely terrifying for her!

robinph · 27-09-2018 2:11pm

Stallingrad wrote: »

When I saw it I genuinely got the impression he thought they were laughing with him, as if he had said something witty. He did a little pause as if to compute. I don't think it entered his head for a second that they may be laughing at him. Classic narcissist, the narrative in his head has nothing to do with reality.

The first laugh he was confused and hesitated a moment but probably didn't actually register that they laughed. The second laugh he couldn't mistake for what it was, but his "wasn't expecting that" comment was actually the most normal that he has ever sounded.

That was the correct and expected responses to a bunch of people laughing at you when you thought you'd made a sensible statement. For one moment I briefly thought he was sane.

ECO_Mental · 27-09-2018 2:16pm

Pelvis wrote: »

God this must be absolutely terrifying for her!

Its crazy that a woman who has been assaulted is thrown up in front of the whole world and get a grilling. Shameful,,,

jooksavage · 27-09-2018 2:16pm

Grassley has some brass balls on him. Doing his damnedest here to justify circumventing an FBI investigation by quoting Joe Biden out-of-context... back when he and Orin Hatch were ALL for an FBI investigation!

Rjd2 · 27-09-2018 2:17pm

How long will this be and when will the vote be?

Leroy42 · 27-09-2018 2:18pm

What a horrible opening statement. Basically he is saying that he did everything he could and it just all so terrible and nobody will help them.

A chairman pointing out his complete bias at the very opening.

Jebus. She is here to give her version of the events. Why should she have to sit through all the BS

jooksavage · 27-09-2018 2:19pm

Rjd2 wrote: »

How long will this be and when will the vote be?

There's no cap on the testimony of the parties involved. Senators are limited to 5 minutes each I believe. AFAIK, the vote is still scheduled for tomorrow, which is plainly nuts.

Pelvis · 27-09-2018 2:19pm

Rjd2 wrote: »

How long will this be and when will the vote be?

Not sure how much of a break will be between Dr. Fords testimony and Kavanaugh's, but the whole thing will likely go on all day, possibly into the night.

Rjd2 · 27-09-2018 2:20pm

Pelvis wrote: »

Not sure how much of a break will be between Dr. Fords testimony and Kavanaugh's, but the whole thing will likely go on all day, possibly into the night.

I think the fact I plan to watch all this, is proof I ever need that I need a girlfriend. :P

Leroy42 · 27-09-2018 2:21pm

Rjd2 wrote: »

I think the fact I plan to watch all this, is proof I ever needed I needed a girlfriend. :P

I think the fact that you are planning to watch all of this probably explains why you don't have a girlfriend:)

Rjd2 · 27-09-2018 2:22pm

Leroy42 wrote: »

I think the fact that you are planning to watch all of this probably explains why you don't have a girlfriend:)

harsh but the truth hurts.

Donald Trump is the President Mark IV (Read Mod Warning in OP)

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