Tonight is Trump’s annual speech to a joint session of Congress, usually called the “State of the Union” but not when the POTUS is new. I have no intention of watching, because I’d rather get root canal than listen to Trump give a speech. I will follow commentary on the web instead. If you want to come here and make comments yourself you are welcome to do so.
Dems have been debating whether to attend, or not. House Dem leader Hakeem Jeffries has been telling members to attend, but bring guests who are being hurt by Trump’s policies. Oh, and he’s telling them to behave; no unruly outbursts. I think if I were in the House I’d stay away.
Trump picked today to kick off his tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and to increase tariffs on China. The stock market is tumbling.
Regarding the tariffs, do see Trump’s Most Inexplicable Decision Yet by Rogé Karma at The Atlantic. It begins:
If you were setting out to design a trade policy that would harm the American economy while undermining political support for its leadership, you might come up with something like the tariffs that Donald Trump just imposed on Canada, China, and Mexico.
I’m not seeing any opinion pieces on the tariffs that think they’re anything short of a disaster for the U.S. economy, and possibly the global economy. But they aren’t really “inexplicable.” Trump thinks they’re a brilliant idea because he’s a moron and he has no clue what he’s doing. There’s your explanation.
J.D. Vance touched off much outrage in Europe over remarks he made on Fox News. The BBC:
The US vice-president has sparked a row with his comments about a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
UK opposition politicians accused JD Vance of disrespecting British forces after he said a US stake in Ukraine’s economy was a “better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years”.
The UK and France have said they would be willing to put troops on the ground in Ukraine as part of a peace deal. …
… Vance’s comments came as the US paused military aid to Ukraine, following an explosive spat between President Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office last week.
Zelensky left the White House before a proposed deal on sharing Ukrainian minerals with American companies could be signed.
Speaking about the proposal, Vance told Fox News: “The very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine.
“That is a way better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years.”
Sir Keir has said US security guarantees – such as air cover – will be needed to deter Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine again, if there is a deal to end the war.
However, Trump has so far refused to pledge this, instead arguing that US workers in Ukraine as part of a minerals deal could provide such assurances. …
Conservative shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge pointed out both the UK and France deployed forces alongside the US in Afghanistan, adding: “It’s deeply disrespectful to ignore such service and sacrifice.”
The whole “minerals deal” thing is dishonorable, IMO. Not that Trump or Vance understand the concept of honor.
You couldn't pay me to watch that speech, no thanks I have a cubbies game on the dvr! I read that Stumps commerce secretary said today that they may adjust the tarrifs tomorrow, apparently in reaction to the panic on Wall Street, what a fucking amateur.
I watched a little bit, got disgusted and turned it off. I've never in my life encountered as big a pile of BS as was spewed.
I can read transcripts but Trump's voice provokes feelings of disgust and rage. I won't block out the words or the meaning but I want to spare my sanity.
From what the summaries say, Trump took a victory lap for the disasters he's unleashed. The Commerce secretary says the tariffs may not last long. I'm reminded of Vance who said Trump would not pardon the violent J6 felons. There's some attempts made to steer Trump from the rocks, but he's not listening. Governor Voldermort in Florida is opening a criminal investigation into the Tate Bros. Trump put Musk squarely in charge of DOGE, repeating fantasies about savings and graft without evidence, including dead people getting Social Security. No names, ages, locations….
Some Deomicrats showed some spine, even getting ejected. But most are pretending they can oppose a dictator according to Parliamentary Procedure and good manners.
Democrats have got to hang tough on the Constitution, demanding that Congress prohibit Trump from invalidating acts passed by Congress. Shut it down. In like, ten days.
Well this could be the beginning of the use of overwhelming military force on American civilians that I think is inevitable once Pete Hegseth was named sec of defense. Wing-nut radio is calling for the pardon of Derick Chauvin (the guy who murdered George Floyd). Eloon is on board so Stump can't be far behind. This would certainly cause mass violent protests, just the thing they are waiting for.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/elon-musk-doubles-down-ben-001700961.html
That is quite a piece to the all too clear puzzle. The elongated one met with and promoted (did Russian election interference work) for the AfD party in Germany prior to the last election. He was reported as somewhat at odds with the group as there are distinctions with the US versions of the party as my data suggests. The NYT did a piece recently as to where in Germany this group is most popular, and it showed its strength in what was formerly East Germany.
This data struck me as odd but now seems to fit better. Needless to say, the people of East Germany had to adapt to Russian control for many years, and some thrived under Russian authoritarianism. I am sure a lot still live in what was East Germany.
As the US GOP grapples with that style bastardization of Conservatism they too are developing a taste for Russian style authoritarianism it seems. This is beyond troublesome.
The art of this deal may include the favor of a pardon for a fellow fascist with the elongated one being the international conduit.
Oh my.
In Former East Germany, the Hard-Right AfD Party Finds Most of Its Support – The New York Times
one question.
Was Melania there?
otherwise I have no intent, desire, compunction, care, or concern to listen to an fbi agent (in this case FBI means fat, bald and ignorant) blather endlessly about nothing other than himself.
Jamelle Bouie nailed it in the NYT today with a piece of fine insight, research, and organization. The attack animal continued last night on his binge:
For the rest…
Opinion | Trump’s Revenge Tour Finds Its True Target – The New York Times
Comment by Jill C. on the above linked article.
I think the Orange Goblin King wants to create as much chaos as possible so that he and his cronies can buy up all the assets of the Gov and USA on the cheap when prices crater. The biggest crime since,… sheesh, a comparison eludes me.
The cruelty is just bonus cake.