Trump: No White House invite for NBA champs, ‘we’ll see’ about Caps

[shu09]

Wow. @SnakeTom, @Merge, Cern...when you get looney tunes posts like the ones in here, again I don’t get why you would even bother responding/debating.

There are a lot of articles and discussions regarding how people on both sides of the aisle stay in their echo chamber in terms of social media, press they follow, etc. & how it’s not helping the overall discourse. That is of course true to a point. But when you read some of the real winners on here sometimes, can you really blame us?

Bobbie, by refusing to discuss/debate, you're doing the exact same thing you're accusing others of. Retreating to your echo chamber and your comfort zone.

The fact is, people that refuse to debate ARE the problem. No matter whether they are extreme, moderate or anywhere in between on either side of an issue. When society as a whole does not come together and discuss, things just get worse.

 

[HALL85]

Wow. @SnakeTom, @Merge, Cern...when you get looney tunes posts like the ones in here, again I don’t get why you would even bother responding/debating.

There are a lot of articles and discussions regarding how people on both sides of the aisle stay in their echo chamber in terms of social media, press they follow, etc. & how it’s not helping the overall discourse. That is of course true to a point. But when you read some of the real winners on here sometimes, can you really blame us?

Bobbie, As shu09 suggested , if there is one piece of advice I would ask that you consider is that you engage in the discussion. I respect the opinions of most on this board even if I disagree with them. Once in a while one can change their perspective and at the very least learn from each other. Quite frankly, I think that is what is lost today and creates a lot of the problems that we have. We retreat to the comfort of people that are like-minded. That’s not healthy because nothing will ever change if we continue to do that.

I was invited to a breakfast last week with the president and CEO of a fortune 500 company who is in his 70s and emigrated from Iran during the overthrow of the Shah. Fascinating and inspiring man and although I did not agree with some things he said, I learned more about that part of the world in one hour that I have in my lifetime. And he certainly changed my views on some things.

 

[Merge]

All opinions...

Except of course the part that we had white supremists matching with torches... and hate crimes being on the rise, yes.

But like I said, I can see an argument saying his comments and actions don’t make HIM a racist.

When history looks back on trumps rise to power, I do wonder how much a role they believe white nationalism played. I personally believe (my opinion) is that Trump running on a platform of white nationalism was entirely intentional.

 

[Merge]

He disavowed the David Duke endorsement 5 separate times. FN then said he didn't do it strongly enough.

You can’t just call it fake news, it happened. Trump was interviewed by Jake Tapper and when asked about the David Duke and white nationalist endorsements his answer was he didn’t know anything about David Duke. Except of course he has been on record speaking about against David Duke many years earlier - his failure to disavow him in that moment sent a message to white nationaliss whether you believe it or not... THEY believe it.

The correct answer in that moment is of course there is no room for white nationalism and any bigotry in America.

 

[HALL85]

Except of course the part that we had white supremists matching with torches... and hate crimes being on the rise, yes.

But like I said, I can see an argument saying his comments and actions don’t make HIM a racist.

When history looks back on trumps rise to power, I do wonder how much a role they believe white nationalism played. I personally believe (my opinion) is that Trump running on a platform of white nationalism was entirely intentional.

Can you define what you mean by "white nationalism"?

 

[flconticello]

You can’t just call it fake news, it happened. Trump was interviewed by Jake Tapper and when asked about the David Duke and white nationalist endorsements his answer was he didn’t know anything about David Duke. Except of course he has been on record speaking about against David Duke many years earlier - his failure to disavow him in that moment sent a message to white nationaliss whether you believe it or not... THEY believe it.

The correct answer in that moment is of course there is no room for white nationalism and any bigotry in America.

Fake Jake is one of the least credible employees (don't classify him as a journalist) on the least credible network with the lowest ratings.

I disagree; he didn't say he didn't know who he was.. he said he didn't know him or that he endorsed him. Typical fake news cutting up quotes to fulfill a narrative. You ignore that clinton called Byrde her mentor. Why are you ignoring that fact?

He ran on the forgotten middle class.

Personally I've had a disdain and mistrust of the media for a long time. Trump is just uncovering how dishonest and manipulative they are and opening many American's eyes. Look at the polls. Their approval ratings are at a ridiculously low level. Last I heard less than 25% when asked felt the media was honest or reliable. You my friend should wake up and stop drinking the Dems cool aid. (Media is an extension of the dem party)

 

[Bobbie Solo]

Except of course the part that we had white supremists matching with torches... and hate crimes being on the rise, yes.

But like I said, I can see an argument saying his comments and actions don’t make HIM a racist.

When history looks back on trumps rise to power, I do wonder how much a role they believe white nationalism played. I personally believe (my opinion) is that Trump running on a platform of white nationalism was entirely intentional.

Don't forget him & his fathers long history of racism associated with his properties, some of which was adjudicated in court. Also when he unnecessarily injected himself into the Central Park rape situation with that disgusting newspaper ad & his comments at the time, and then of course doubled down on his asinine comments even after the men were cleared years later. And the Obama birtherism crap. And dozens of other examples, and on and on and on.

 

[Bobbie Solo]

Bobbie, by refusing to discuss/debate, you're doing the exact same thing you're accusing others of. Retreating to your echo chamber and your comfort zone.

The fact is, people that refuse to debate ARE the problem. No matter whether they are extreme, moderate or anywhere in between on either side of an issue. When society as a whole does not come together and discuss, things just get worse.

Wasn’t referring to you at all. It’s depressing to see this transformation into a Trump apologist from you, but you’re far from the maniacs on here.

 

[Merge]

Can you define what you mean by "white nationalism"?

The belief that white American culture is superior and is under atttack and needs to be defended.

 

[HALL85]

The belief that white American culture is superior and is under atttack and needs to be defended.

Actually, Trumps messaging was about jobs and national security (the wall), and was geared toward working Americans. Kind of ironic that Hillary was playing identity politics, and it was plastered all over the campaign material. She had no message for working Americans except for the "basket of deplorable strategy.

 

[Merge]

national security

Right, his plan was to make white people afraid of and angry at brown people.

I’m not talking about Hillary. Not sure why people still feel the need to mention her. Trump ran the “better” campaign. White nationalism worked.

 

[HALL85]

Right, his plan was to make white people afraid of and angry at brown people.

I’m not talking about Hillary. Not sure why people still feel the need to mention her. Trump ran the “better” campaign. White nationalism worked.

IMO it's another excuse. An overwhelming majority of Americans voted for an African American President in 2008...8 years later that enlighten segment of the population suddenly became white nationalist bigots...

I brought up Hillary because her message was way more anti-white than Trump was pro-white. It was blatant.

 

[SnakeTom]

I also do not understand why Hillary is being brought up again by several posters. She is not President & lost the election on her own because she was a terrible candidate. That was the problem in 2016 we had to choose between two horrible choices. Just because some of us here are anti Trump does not mean that we were Hillary supporters. My posts were about Trump alone and why in my opinion he is not fit for office. It is not about political party.

Tom K

 

[HALL85]

I also do not understand why Hillary is being brought up again by several posters. She is not President & lost the election on her own because she was a terrible candidate. That was the problem in 2016 we had to choose between two horrible choices. Just because some of us here are anti Trump does not mean that we were Hillary supporters. My posts were about Trump alone and why in my opinion he is not fit for office. It is not about political party.

Tom K

Tom, I only brought Hillary into the conversation because Merge brought up this idea of Trumps appeal to this idea of "white nationalism". While it was Hillary who was playing identity politics as one of her main strategies.

I agree that we should all learn a lesson from the 2016 election. Go back and look at how many posters were twisting themselves into contortions supporting two morally corrupt candidates.

 

[Merge]

Tom, I only brought Hillary into the conversation because Merge brought up this idea of Trumps appeal to this idea of "white nationalism". While it was Hillary who was playing identity politics as one of her main strategies.

I agree that we should all learn a lesson from the 2016 election. Go back and look at how many posters were twisting themselves into contortions supporting two morally corrupt candidates.

I stand by what I said during the campaigns.

I will not try to convince anyone to vote for HIllary. She is hard to support and I really don't want to vote for her at all... but feel I have to because of the guy she is running against.

Trump's rhetoric is beyond dangerous. Just look at what happened last week with the guys arrested who were plotting to kill innocent people because of their religion. It is disgusting and is directly tied to Trump. Trump has vilified Mexicans, Muslims, reporters to a level we have never seen in politics. It is so disturbing, I can't understand why anyone of sound mind could vote for him to lead the country.

That’s how I saw it then, and that was before white supremists felt free to march with torches in Charlottesville, before the increase in hate crime and hate groups.

 

[shu09]

I also do not understand why Hillary is being brought up again by several posters. She is not President & lost the election on her own because she was a terrible candidate. That was the problem in 2016 we had to choose between two horrible choices. Just because some of us here are anti Trump does not mean that we were Hillary supporters. My posts were about Trump alone and why in my opinion he is not fit for office. It is not about political party.

Tom K

This is true. Hillary Clinton has nothing to do with any of the current debate. The fact that the president keeps mentioning her as well is irrelevant and he should stop doing that.

 

[HALL85]

That’s how I saw it then, and that was before white supremists felt free to march with torches in Charlottesville, before the increase in hate crime and hate groups.

Link?

 

[Merge]

Link?

I'll assume you saw the people marching with torches in Charlottesville and you don't need a link to that.
Still unbelievable to me that happened.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/loca...27a6ccb38eb_story.html?utm_term=.aa61a4cefd72


https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2016-hate-crime-statistics

 

[shuvrp]

I hear a lot of talk about Trump being for the middle class and ending government corruption.

Why did he fill his cabinet with corporate elites, wall street bankers, and anti-environment crusaders? Why did he cut taxes permanently for the rich, but temporarely for everyone else? Why does Scott Pruitt still have a job with his record of grifting the American taxpayer? Why does Trump lie so often to the American people (Wa Post has him over 3000 lies)? What about his hypocrisy (bashing Obama for golfing for 8 years and then golfing MORE, calling unemployment rates fake under Obama and then reciting them like the gospel once he took office)

This idea that Trump is the champion of the middle class is absurd and I haven’t seen anything he’s done to back up that campaign message. All I’ve seen is lies, misdirection, corruption and pro-corporate, pro-rich tax policy.

 

[HALL85]

I'll assume you saw the people marching with torches in Charlottesville and you don't need a link to that.
Still unbelievable to me that happened.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/loca...27a6ccb38eb_story.html?utm_term=.aa61a4cefd72


https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2016-hate-crime-statistics

Thanks. Those FBI stats don't distinguish white supremacist hate crimes from others. The advent and widespread growth of the "knock-out" game would be included in those numbers, correct? What about Antifa? Are they in the numbers or are they about love?

I'm not surprised by a white supremacist march in Charlottesville...they've been going on for my entire lifetime and will unfortunately continue to do so. What would be more significant to see is not just the 954 hate groups, but actually how many members there are in the U.S. We don't know from that article, but as a percentage of the population, I'm going to say it's not material. Interesting that there are actually 100 fewer hate groups today then 8 years ago....conveniently left out of the article by the "Southern Poverty Law Center"...you should check out the site because it doesn't look very objective.

 

[SnakeTom]

I hear a lot of talk about Trump being for the middle class and ending government corruption.

Why did he fill his cabinet with corporate elites, wall street bankers, and anti-environment crusaders? Why did he cut taxes permanently for the rich, but temporarely for everyone else? Why does Scott Pruitt still have a job with his record of grifting the American taxpayer? Why does Trump lie so often to the American people (Wa Post has him over 3000 lies)? What about his hypocrisy (bashing Obama for golfing for 8 years and then golfing MORE, calling unemployment rates fake under Obama and then reciting them like the gospel once he took office)

This idea that Trump is the champion of the middle class is absurd and I haven’t seen anything he’s done to back up that campaign message. All I’ve seen is lies, misdirection, corruption and pro-corporate, pro-rich tax policy.

I agree with your post but might add that Trump cabinet member Dr. Ben Carson is another one who has abused his office and used public moneys to furnish his own home, yet like Pruitt he not only was not fired but rather praised by the President. Seems that if you laud our President, you are free to do whatever you want with no fear of reprisal.

Tom K

 

[SPK145]

I agree with your post but might add that Trump cabinet member Dr. Ben Carson is another one who has abused his office and used public moneys to furnish his own home, yet like Pruitt he not only was not fired but rather praised by the President. Seems that if you laud our President, you are free to do whatever you want with no fear of reprisal.

Tom K

Carson furnished his own home?? I thought that was for his office? Extravagant and outrageous? Yes. Quite different from what you posted? Yes.

Pruitt spent $25,000 on a sound proof phone for his office; Obama's Energy Dept. spent $1.2 million on a secure communications room. Only one was called into question by the lamestream media. Why is that???

 

[SnakeTom]

Carson furnished his own home?? I thought that was for his office? Extravagant and outrageous? Yes. Quite different from what you posted? Yes.

Pruitt spent $25,000 on a sound proof phone for his office; Obama's Energy Dept. spent $1.2 million on a secure communications room. Only one was called into question by the lamestream media. Why is that???

Carson spent $31,000 for dining room furniture for his own home at public expense. Pruitt used public money to fund a vacation with his wife.

TK

 

[Merge]

Thanks. Those FBI stats don't distinguish white supremacist hate crimes from others. The advent and widespread growth of the "knock-out" game would be included in those numbers, correct? What about Antifa? Are they in the numbers or are they about love?

I'm not surprised by a white supremacist march in Charlottesville...they've been going on for my entire lifetime and will unfortunately continue to do so. What would be more significant to see is not just the 954 hate groups, but actually how many members there are in the U.S. We don't know from that article, but as a percentage of the population, I'm going to say it's not material. Interesting that there are actually 100 fewer hate groups today then 8 years ago....conveniently left out of the article by the "Southern Poverty Law Center"...you should check out the site because it doesn't look very objective.

I had not seen anything like Charlotsville in my lifetime. and that is a fair point about the number of actual hate groups vs the number of people in them. I honestly don't know the answer to that.

There is also tracking hate crime against Mulims in America where 2017 levels surpassed 2001 levels.
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/11/15/assaults-against-muslims-in-u-s-surpass-2001-level/

But again, these white supremists believe they have an ally in Trump. Do you believe he has done enough to dissavow them?

 

[Merge]

Pruitt spent $25,000 on a sound proof phone for his office; Obama's Energy Dept. spent $1.2 million on a secure communications room. Only one was called into question by the lamestream media. Why is that???

Well at least we see where some of your conspiracy theories are coming from. I’d skip the daily caller. It’s garbage.

You are comparing a cabinet secretary to a non cabinet administrator. The cabinetry secretary had an actual SCIF because the department of energy is reaponsible for such things like handling nuclear materials, and foreign/domestic nuclear production.

Pruitt head of the EPA is responsible for domestic pollution and environmental issues, desired to have a soundproof room - not a SCIF so no one could listen in on his conversations.

They are different. AND, Trump was the guy that ran on fetting rid of government waste. That is why the media would treat them differently.

 

[flconticello]

I also do not understand why Hillary is being brought up again by several posters. She is not President & lost the election on her own because she was a terrible candidate. That was the problem in 2016 we had to choose between two horrible choices. Just because some of us here are anti Trump does not mean that we were Hillary supporters. My posts were about Trump alone and why in my opinion he is not fit for office. It is not about political party.

Tom K

You may have viewed Trump as a horrible candidate but had turned out to become a great president. Results don't lie. If only the whiners on the left could get over being butthurt and stop obstructing think of how much more would have already been accomplished. Despite all that, he's done more positive for this country in just over 500 days than Obama did in 8 years.

 

[flconticello]

I had not seen anything like Charlotsville in my lifetime. and that is a fair point about the number of actual hate groups vs the number of people in them. I honestly don't know the answer to that.

There is also tracking hate crime against Mulims in America where 2017 levels surpassed 2001 levels.
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/11/15/assaults-against-muslims-in-u-s-surpass-2001-level/

But again, these white supremists believe they have an ally in Trump. Do you believe he has done enough to dissavow them?

Yes I think the countless times he disavowed them during the campaign then after Charlottesville were plenty. Even the fake news media isn't talking about that anymore. This week it's his mental health. It's almost comical to watch as they keep inventing crap while the majority of the country had become numb to it and ignores it for the trash it is.

 

[Merge]

You may have viewed Trump as a horrible candidate but had turned out to become a great president. Results don't lie. If only the whiners on the left could get over being butthurt and stop obstructing think of how much more would have already been accomplished. Despite all that, he's done more positive for this country in just over 500 days than Obama did in 8 years.

This is satire, right?

 

[flconticello]

This is satire, right?

Not even remotely. Name an Obama accomplishment? Name something Trump has done that has been bad for the country.

 

[Merge]

Yes I think the countless times he disavowed them during the campaign then after Charlottesville were plenty. Even the fake news media isn't talking about that anymore. This week it's his mental health. It's almost comical to watch as they keep inventing crap while the majority of the country had become numb to it and ignores it for the trash it is.

Here is how the white supremisists saw Trumps comments after Charlottesville.

“Trump comments were good. He didn’t attack us. He just said the nation should come together. Nothing specific against us.

He said that we need to study why people are so angry, and implied that there was hate … on both sides!

So he implied the antifa are haters.

There was virtually no counter-signaling of us at all.

He said he loves us all.

“No condemnation at all,” the Daily Stormer wrote. “When asked to condemn, [Trump] just walked out of the room. Really, really good. God bless him.”


Sorry - if THEY believe he is on their side, he hadn’t done enough.

 

[SPK145]

You are comparing a cabinet secretary to a non cabinet administrator. The cabinetry secretary had an actual SCIF because the department of energy is reaponsible for such things like handling nuclear materials, and foreign/domestic nuclear production.

Pruitt head of the EPA is responsible for domestic pollution and environmental issues, desired to have a soundproof room - not a SCIF so no one could listen in on his conversations.

They are different. AND, Trump was the guy that ran on fetting rid of government waste. That is why the media would treat them differently.

And that justifies 28x the expenditure? C’mon, that doesn't pass ANY smell test, that’s partisanship.

 

[Merge]

Not even remotely. Name an Obama accomplishment? Name something Trump has done that has been bad for the country.

Just like Obama’s policies to bring us out of the worst economic crisis in 80 years, Trumps policies will also take time to fully judge. In my opinion his tax policy and his planned tarrifs and isolating the US from our allies are not good for America.

Your talk of current obstruction is absolute nonsense. Republicans hold the house and senate. The GOP could get anything through that they wanted to, unlike Obama who actually had a majority party fighting him.

 

[SPK145]

Carson spent $31,000 for dining room furniture for his own home at public expense. Pruitt used public money to fund a vacation with his wife.

TK

This is a classic case of fake news.

Your own NY Times (as well as every other media outlet) says it was for his office not his home:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/us/ben-carson-dining-table-hud.html

Where did you get your info from?

 

[Merge]

And that justifies 28x the expenditure? C’mon, that doesn't pass ANY smell test, that’s partisanship.

Unless you know the cost of other SCIF facilities, by all means let us know?

I have little knowledge of their design... but as the saying goes, you can’t compare apples and a fully secure facility to prevent unauthorized access to classified national security information.

 

[SPK145]

Your talk of current obstruction is absolute nonsense. Republicans hold the house and senate. The GOP could get anything through that they wanted to, unlike Obama who actually had a majority party fighting him.

That’s a HUGE LOL right there. At this point in his presidency, Obama and the dems held the house and senate as well, rammed through the ill-fated, lie-filled Obamacare.

 

[SPK145]

Unless you know the cost of other SCIF facilities, by all means let us know?

I don’t, but a $43,000 expenditure raises shackles while a $1.2 million expenditure doesn’t? Pure bias.

 

[Merge]

That’s a HUGE LOL right there. At this point in his presidency, Obama and the dems held the house and senate as well, rammed through the ill-fated, lie-filled Obamacare.

Indeed, but given the treatment from republicans towards the Dems after 2010... it’s laughable to be complaining about Dems obstructing now. They literally can’t.

 

[HALL85]

I had not seen anything like Charlotsville in my lifetime. and that is a fair point about the number of actual hate groups vs the number of people in them. I honestly don't know the answer to that.

There is also tracking hate crime against Mulims in America where 2017 levels surpassed 2001 levels.
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/11/15/assaults-against-muslims-in-u-s-surpass-2001-level/

But again, these white supremists believe they have an ally in Trump. Do you believe he has done enough to dissavow them?

If that one woman never died in Charlottesville, the story never would have grown to want to became. The MSM desperately try to make it a referendum about Trump. Trump disavowed them, but obviously not as fast as you wanted him to.

Does trump support white supremacist or does he enjoy opportunities to stick it to the MSM? Does a white supremacist want Dennis Rodman hanging out with him in Singapore?

 

[Merge]

I don’t, but a $43,000 expenditure raises shackles while a $1.2 million expenditure doesn’t? Pure bias.

How much does an airplane cost?
How much does air force one cost?

If you think those numbers are equal, by all means - go on with your comparison.

There is a reason they are not the same and you (and I) are ignorant as to the technology that will make one significant more expensive than the other.

Pruitt maybe was compared to previous EPA administrators, and not cabinet members with actual secure facility needs?

 

[SPK145]

Indeed, but given the treatment from republicans towards the Dems after 2010... it’s laughable to be complaining about Dems obstructing now. They literally can’t.

Absolutely agree, both parties are always equally guilty of obstruction.