Donald Trump

[RobinReborn]

It's a lot harder to become a citizen in the post 9-11 USA than in the pre 9-11 USA. People from Muslim countries are under extreme scrutiny even if the follow American values. Pre-1965 immigrants had it much easier than people trying to immigrate now, this country has grown more hostile to immigrants in this past decade or so.

Yes, mafias are large scale criminal gangs which are based on race/ethnicity. They often hold power because they reflect the values of the people in an area more closely than the local/state/federal government does. There was some effort to brake these huge scale gangs apart (and some violations of constitutional principles to do so, like the RICO laws), but it's nowhere near the amount of pressure to break up any sort of Mexican drug cartel. The DEA is a horribly corrupt agency and they have done horrible things to Mexico as well as other countries near Mexico.

[Brant Gaede]

@Selene, there was minimal control of pre-1965 immigrants, almost all of those groups formed their own system of organized crime (Mafias if you will). Assimilation is subjective, the major difference between Latin Americans and European immigrants is physical in nature, they have different physical features because they have genes which originate in Europe as well as other regions where the Europeans are more genetically homogeneous

@Brant, maybe you're right that Trump uses presidential campaigns for publicity, but just recently he's suffered major losses because NBC dropped him. A lot of other people dropped him as well. Perhaps he doesn't care because he has enough money and connections that he can afford to lose some. But he's sacrificing a lot to make some statements that many people may think, but which are incredibly offensive to a relatively large portion of the US population. You can't get elected if you alienate too many people, and your business will also suffer. Trump has (cowardly, if you ask me) positioned himself in markets where there is minimal competition so he is relatively insulated from loss of revenue but in the long run his comment (the one Stewart obsesses over) will cost him more business than it gains him.

He's worth 8 billion bucks. I assume the financials he released are accurate.

--Brant

over 20 years ago he missed a helicopter ride to Atlantic City--it crashed killing two of his top executives--that likely affected him in ways that don't fit your analysis of him and you don't seem to understand the relationship of business to cowardice for Trump was down to next to nothing or even less than nothing but pulled himself back up on the strength of "Trump" as a brand name and the nerve of constant braggadocio and his ability to get things done even though he's hardly any Randian hero

[Michael Stuart Kelly]

This speaks for itself.

10 Quotes That Prove Donald Trump Will Be the Greatest American President

Growin'...

Michael

EDIT: This link actually goes to a snarky satire, but if you just look at the ten meme-like pictures and skip the commentary, the message is inspirational. That's all I did at first and it fooled me. I doubt I am the only one where this will backfire. Satire is supposed to diminish, not inspire. Heh.

[RobinReborn]

I have a vague knowledge of him losing lots of money but somehow making a 'comeback' (as he put it). I don't think that makes him brave.

His usage of eminent domain laws bothers me, seems quite a bit like initiating force. He's clearly a smart person, but I'm not sure that he's given much thought to some fundamental philosophical questions.

[Michael Stuart Kelly]

RR,

You don't have to like Trump. I'm OK with that. But he's a winner, whatever the rules are. And you are going to put up with me crowing until the election or he stops running.

I, myself, am having a ball. I predict it's only going to get better as Trump steam-rolls over his critics and pissed-off politically apathetic Americans wake up in delight and go to the voting booths.

Also, Trump's on the right side of over 80% of my concerns. Compared to his competition, that alone--for me at least--makes him stand apart. It looks like I am not alone in thinking this way.

Michael

[Brant Gaede]

I have a vague knowledge of him losing lots of money but somehow making a 'comeback' (as he put it). I don't think that makes him brave.

His usage of eminent domain laws bothers me, seems quite a bit like initiating force. He's clearly a smart person, but I'm not sure that he's given much thought to some fundamental philosophical questions.

Yeah, eminent domain. My vague recollection is he did. The biggest user-misuser of those laws is/was COSTCO.

Funny story about non-use or couldn't use of eminent domain: Over, oh, 30 - 35 years ago Bob Guccione, publisher of Penthouse--piece of crap--was into building a casino in Atlantic City. A homeowner refused to sell to him so he started building around her property. Bob ran out of money, or he couldn't get a gaming license or most likely both, so construction stopped leaving the building a pile of structural steel just sitting there for years with that lady's house up front and center of the whole mess. I think it was Trump who finally got a hold of the building and finished construction. I remember going to my airport (now gone) in Spring Valley, NY and there was who I thought was Guccione waiting for an airplane ride to Atlantic City in a Cessna 210. He got on board with the pilot and up they went. And stayed up there right above the airport flying in circles. The pilot must have been waiting for an IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) clearance. After 15 minutes of increasing boredom with that plane still above, I went home wondering why that pilot didn't just fly V (Visual) FR down the Hudson River? I had flown into AC myself VFR in 1979 for the fun of the flight and to see what all the Resorts International excitement was all about. (Its stock had gone through the roof.) I didn't know for sure it was that guy or that they were going to AC, but it would have been an excellent even money bet.

--Brant

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penthouse_Boardwalk_Hotel_and_Casino

[Peter]

Robin wrote: His usage of eminent domain laws bothers me, seems quite a bit like initiating force. He's clearly a smart person, but I'm not sure that he's given much thought to some fundamental philosophical questions. end quote

I think he can plan a business deal but little else. Trump should get some trash talk. Is he done yet? What should we set the thermostat to? Trump is like peeling a banana all those strings still attached. Hey everyone he is paying to cheer, we need a convention chant. Trump: bump, Gump, hump, jump, lump, mump, rump, sump . . . hummm? Is that too many negative words rhyming with Trump? Dump that. How about his first name, Donald? Duck. Ronald McDonald. Old McDonald. This paragraph is as meaningless as The Dumpsters brief bump in the polls like that guy who set fireworks off on his head and died instantly. Trump will get a lot of publicity but then it is over with and what did we he get from it? What will we get from his candidacy? Does he in any way increase a Republicans chances to win the election?

[Selene]

Here is a tough one...

Is Trump correct about the Southern border? Yes ____ No ____.

If he is, should it be sealed? Yes ____ No ____.

If someone has been deported once and returns, should that person be incarcerated for at least one year? Yes ____ No ____.

That is for starters and then there are a few more on this specific topic.

A...

[Brant Gaede]

yes and no

can't be

no

[Michael Stuart Kelly]

I'm not that big a fan of Wayne Root, but sometimes I like his thoughts.

He definitely sees what I see with Trump:

Why the Democrats Will Do and Say Anything To Stop Donald Trump
Wayne Root
Jul. 6, 2015
TheBlaze

From the article:

No matter how much they say to the contrary, the media, business and political elite understand that Donald Trump is no joke and could actually win and upset their nice cozy apple cart.

It’s no coincidence that everyone has gotten together to destroy the Donald. No, this is a coordinated conspiracy led by President Obama himself. Obama is making the phone calls and giving the orders – the ultimate intimidator who plays by the rules of Chicago thug politics.

Why is this so important to Obama?

Because most of the other politicians are part of the “old boys club.” They talk big, but in the end they won’t change a thing.

Why? Because they are all beholden to big money donors. They are all owned by lobbyists, unions, lawyers, gigantic environmental organizations, multi-national corporations like Big Pharma or Big Oil. Or they are owned lock stock and barrel by foreigners – like George Soros owns Obama, or foreign governments own Hillary with their Clinton Foundation donations.

These run-of-the-mill establishment politicians are all puppets owned by big money.

But one man – and only one man – isn’t beholden to anyone. One man doesn’t need foreigners, or foreign governments, or George Soros, or the United Autoworkers, or the Teachers Union, or the SEIU, or the Bar Association to fund his campaign.

Billionaire tycoon and maverick Donald Trump doesn’t need anyone’s help.

That means he doesn't care what the media says. He doesn't care what the corporate elites think. That makes him very dangerous to the entrenched interests. That makes Trump a huge threat. Trump can ruin everything for the bribed politicians and their spoiled slavemasters.

Root continues with something I agree with 100%:

Don't you ever wonder why the GOP has never tried to impeach Obama? Don't you wonder why John Boehner and Mitch McConnell talk a big game, but never actually try to stop Obama? Don’t you wonder why Congress holds the purse strings, yet they’ve never tried to defund Obamacare or Obama’s clearly illegal Executive Action on amnesty for illegal aliens? Bizarre, right? It defies logic, right?

Well first, I’d guess many key Republicans are being bribed. Secondly, I believe many key Republicans are being blackmailed. Whether they are having affairs or are secretly gay or are stealing taxpayer money; the NSA knows everything.

He gives other reasons and other thoughts in this article.

I realize others think about Root the same way I do (and worse), but I predict this kind of article--tone and content--is going to appear more and more from all sides, not just from conservatives.

That is, along with all the vitriol, of course. And I predict the vitriol will get a lot nastier.

But this sucker (Trump's run) is a real game-changer if he stays the course and doesn't apologize for anything coming from the media machine.

Michael

[william.scherk]

Here is a tough one...

[1] Is Trump correct about the Southern border? Yes ____ No ____.

[2] If he is, should it be sealed? Yes ____ No ____.

[3] If someone has been deported once and returns, should that person be incarcerated for at least one year? Yes ____ No ____.

That is for starters and then there are a few more on this specific topic.

Your questions are tough for me because you haven't defined what Donald Trump claims as true. I can't answer No-but or Yes-but or Partially-but, or Not-Really or Sort-Of-Yet without that information.

If you stipulate some fact claims from Trump and reference them clearly, then we can do some fact-checking. Then your Ps and Qs will be in order of logic and the incoming As will have some useful, discussible content.

As you can see from Brant's answer, your first two queries are poorly constructed and render meaningless results. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to list and reference Trump statements about "The Southern Border."

As for my Southern Border, if one of you Americans overstays your 'visa' and is deported and returns next year, it depends. What are the instructions you were given by the Canadian Border Services Agency at the time of your removal back to the USA? Were you told you could come back on a fresh (open) visa once a year or particular time had passed? If yes, then your passport is checked and you are golden and you figure out when your basic 'visa' ends and you go across.

If you attempt to cross the border during any restriction, you will simply be denied entry and returned to the USA. If you over-stay your 'visa' and you are caught in Canada, you will be deported with additional timescales likely added to your exclusion. It may be that you never again retain the privilege of visiting Canada.

The 'crime' of disobeying strictures upon you imposed by the CBSA can be variable. Were you working illegally? Did you show bad faith? Were you deemed to be likely to be a 'flight or disappearance risk'? If any variables add up to a sum, the agency can detain and try you on immigration charges, register your conviction and then deport you.

As the adult-party-pants advertisements agree, It All Depends.

Welcome to Canada!

Edited July 6, 2015 by william.scherk

[Selene]

There is no marxist solution to any problem that will work in the real world without centralized oppressive tyranny against each citizen.

As to Trump being factually correct, you chase his "facts."

These questions are generic and cut to the assumptive core of what constitutes a sovereign country.

That's the only guide you get.

Would be nice if none of the above was an option don't you think?

A...

[william.scherk]

So, no facts, no fact-check. I like the way you think, Adam.

Anyway, why don't you fill in the blanks with your own answers?

Mine: 1) No; 2) No; 3) No.

Brant's: 1) Yes/No; 2) No; 3) No

Yours? _________ and _______ and ___________

[Selene]

So, no facts, no fact-check. I like the way you think, Adam.

Anyway, why don't you fill in the blanks with your own answers?

Mine: 1) No; 2) No; 3) No.

Brant's: 1) Yes/No; 2) No; 3) No

Yours? _________ and _______ and ___________

I appreciate the offer, however I will wait for some more posters to choose.

A...

[RobinReborn]

Michael, overall I don't dislike Trump. But there are certain behaviors and attitudes which are clearly negative and I feel it's worthwhile to point them out.

I thought what he's said on foreign policy is immature. Like it or not that borders been open for a long time and many of the people who have crossed it have become good citizens and have grandchildren who speak English and are just like other US citizens besides that they are a victim of a particular kind of racism. Mexico isn't that different from the USA in the grand scheme of things and it's in the interest of the USA to have good relations with Mexico and not bully them into building a fence. His notions of interactions with foreign powers seems completely uninformed by all the horrible mistakes US interventionism has caused in the past decades. It's fairly scary stuff if you're paranoid and think a new World War could happen any year. Though I think it's also a sign that in the (unlikely) event Trump becomes President, he'll get impeached.

@Selene not quite, no, yes

[Michael Stuart Kelly]

Though I think it's also a sign that in the (unlikely) event Trump becomes President, he'll get impeached.

Nah.

Trump's a deal-maker.

Michael

[william.scherk]

Anyway, why don't you fill in the blanks with your own answers?

Mine: 1) No; 2) No; 3) No.

Brant's: 1) Yes/No; 2) No; 3) No

Yours? _________ and _______ and ___________

I appreciate the offer, however I will wait for some more posters to choose.

If you don't have the balls to answer your own questions, why would any other poster care to play?

[Brant Gaede]

Could it be because he doesn't want to corrupt the sample? His approach is correct, but the assumptions seem marginal.

--Brant

balls not needed, btw

[william.scherk]

Balls.

[Michael Stuart Kelly]

From the Daily Mail a couple of days ago: Trump comes up top in 'poll of polls' of Republican voters - despite growing backlash over his anti-immigrant comments

Or Newsmax today: Jeb Likely GOP Nominee, But Trump Is a Contender: The Hill

Or today from Daily Kos: Huffington Post polls: Trump and Jeb tied!

Drip... drip... drip...



Oh yeah, I forgot...

Anthony Weiner's comment on Twitter today: "Can we stop referring to Trump's good poll standing?"

How is Trump ever going to recover from that one?



Michael

[Brant Gaede]

Balls.

I'm sure curious about what else you think requires serious courage.

--Brant

[william.scherk]

So? Balls can also mean 'malarkey' ...

[Selene]

So? Balls can also mean 'malarkey' ...

William, when he dons his professional scold cape, has the ability to certify when a person is cowardly, or, courageous.

He also can sense whether someone is spewing malarkey or not.

It is a special skill that you can acquire.

A...

[william.scherk]

Answer the dang questions at your own pace, Grandma. No one means to push you into venturing an opinion or falling into a pool of maple syrup. We know you have plenty balls, in the air, in the pocket, on the field. So many balls they are hard to keep track of.

I'll hang up and listen, unless you have further reactions to my answers above.

Hey, one-liners are fun. You can boost your post count and keep your ugly avatar on the front page all day long. If it works for Greg it should work for anyone who can type. Balls balls balls. Balls.

Edited July 7, 2015 by william.scherk

[Michael Stuart Kelly]

From today's Daily Beast: Mexican Elites Secretly Agree With Donald Trump

Drip... drip... drip...

Michael