Donald Trump the Megathread part II - mod warnings in OP, Updated 18/03/25

Re: Even Britain's "independent" nuclear arsenal doesn't work without American support.

This was suggested again by Nick Watt on Newsnight last night. Former UK Defense Secretary James Cleverly was at pains to stress that the UK has full operational control of their own nuclear weapons. This is one of the more informed articles on the subject:

Whether true or not, it's an extraordinary sign of the times that this kind of thing even needs to be discussed on a flagship BBC news programme.

They have operation control.

But nukes are a deterrent. They are not supposed to be used.

The vast majority of variables that go into having them and maintaining them is American.

They are not independent.

The French are to an extent.

Ireland a nowhere near a third world country compared to the US. Health care won't bankrupt you in ireland. Their education system is light years behind us.

As for young people going to US. Ship has sailed. I was in Chicago and new York last year. There's hardly any young Irish people there. And tbh I had my fill of america last year. It's got vastly more expensive to live in a city compared to just a few years ago.

The "deal" is kind of a nonsense (in my opinion) though - a bottle of smoke.

As it is not serious with not much to gain for the US, and certainly not for Ukraine (it looked more like they were being extorted/bullied), it was easy for Trump and Vance to just blow it up at the Whitehouse.

The "deal" Europeans have with Ukraine (which was similar to US approach pre Trump) is just we help them survive this, and someday they will join the EU and NATO and no doubt will be trading a lot more with us, selling us minerals as well as stuff they make at a fair price.

A surviving Ukraine won't want much relations with Russia and its friends around the world for quite a long time.

Whatever about stopping aid will he go further and also refuse to supply munitions for payment to Ukraine and Europe? Seems like the thing to do if you take orders from Putin.

The question is “how”? Obviously Trump is monopolising the media right now but even then, the media in America overall are weak in my view so they’re not serving the people that’s for sure. I don’t think there’s a channel 4 equivalent in the USA for example- who are doing a bloody good job of covering these stories IMHO.

The Republicans have the majority - so I don’t see what can stop them - where are the republicans who criticised Trump throughout the election? Are they retired now?
I think the Democrats will exhibit learned helplessness - they’re too diverse in their thinking to make a strong stand of togetherness - I’d love to be proved wrong I really would .

There's an awful lot Europe could do, but its leaders and peoples aren't really prepared to make the personal sacrifices. And I'm certainly not lecturing anyone on making those sacrifices, but I think that's the prism it should be looked through.

We've come to expect a very, very high standard of living on the western half of this continent in maybe only really the last three decades. If most of you think back to many of your grandparents' times, it was way different. Luxuries were scarce, multigenerational households were common, every room needed a fireplace, clothes were handed down, TB was doing the rounds etc. etc. It was a relatively austere life, but people got on with it.

Again, it's not that I think people should give up their standard of living, but I keep thinking of that phrase, 'and the meek shall inherit the earth'. There's an awful lot of people around the world who are prepared to put up with much more suffering than we are, and it's a serious advantage in many ways. They'll go through shtt to get what they want. But will we?

Eh short answer- count me out on that one 😃

There’s no doubting we’ve become complacent - imagine had we mandatory military service for say 1 year - at the very least we’d probably reduce overall crime statistics and younger people would be a bit healthier- WW2 is a very long time ago now - I know many in Ireland are suffering but the majority aren’t and certainly not in the way people in Africa for example are suffering -I think we’ve convinced ourselves we’re “ok”- just don’t prod that statement too much or we’ll reveal our true fears- we feel justified in being Celtic tigers because in our view all other western countries have had great wealth - why not us too?

Yes it’s been a bit of lie alright - but shush or you’ll spoil it for everyone is kindof the thought process now- lalalalalala etc

Hyperbole?

Open your eyes. The actions and words of Trump/MAGA point to them viewing Russia as an ally and Europe as an adversary.

Who says she wasn't just going to tattoo herself or her friend free of charge? Are artists thrown in jail for carrying around canvas and gouache?

What makes you say UKs nukes don't work without US support. UK nukes are trident aren't they? Is that not fully independent of the US?

If you go over to any major news publication today you would see US markets in free fall

Again

Because of Trump

His words and actions are having severe consequences already, you might be isolated in your job but it’s quite likely your pension lost 5% in last week alone if you have the average fund composition

Yeah I saw that. That's today. The other poster was talking about the last 5 weeks. They recovered after the last tariff announcement a few weeks back. It was a false alarm of course.

31 October - Dow Jones at 41,763.

10 January - Dow Jones at 41,938.

Today - Dow Jones at 42,414.

Swings and Roundabouts. I'd be shorting myself for future shocks from the fool.

There are parts of America that would resemble that of a third world country as well. West Virginia for example, it’s extreme poverty.