Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

So far, Trump's come out of the situation well. The possible challenges he might face are:

• His climate change scepticism which won't play well with insurers, infrastructure companies and others impacted by the floods. Their businesses are being directly damaged by climate change and they will expect the Government to work to reduce climate change, not to appease the oil and mining companies.
• His removal of environmental flood standards. Obviously, these did not contribute to the Houston floods but he may get criticised for this move. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...-a7916476.html
• Further funding. Can he persuade Congress to provide it?
  Quote:

  The scale of this disaster is expected to prompt calls for a federal relief package worth tens of billions of dollars. It would have to be approved by Congress, which has shown little appetite for cooperation during Mr Trump’s first seven months in office and which has argued about past disaster spending.

  https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/w...cane-fjxjk5239

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

That venue with that capacity was one he used in 2015. A different venue so not the same scene, and nowhere near the size of the one he used a week ago.

He exaggerated the turnout at the 2015 rally at the time as well, naturally.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Not just that but when it becomes clear FEMA was not able to cope with the disaster his administration was very slow to react. Really there isn't too much for the White House to do in these cases aside from approve funding. Instead the success of the response is in the hands of the emergency services and government agencies. There was a lack of planning before hand and a inadequate response afterwards.

Since then these agencies are much better the response and you can see that with how remarkably effective the Texan emergency services have been. They were out on boats quickly, there are places to keep people that aren't as unsanitary as Katrina was and all the services work together.

Looking back it's still borderline criminal what happened at Katrina. It was worse than what Texas is getting but the response now compared to then shows how many people died needlessly.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

I can - they want him to pay for being elected and remove him from office. They don't like his style and they don't like the threat he represents to their interests. I dare say they'd complain if he went to Texas and started wading around in the floodwaters helping the victims...

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

We'll find out when he gets there. He's on his way.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Wonder if AF1 is equipped with waders for him. He'll be damned either way.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

I don't Trump has done anything wrong in this case, although calling out Mexico on the wall after they've offered assistance in Texas is a needlessly undiplomatic, it's most of the rest of it that's the problem. That he doesn't cause controversial on a visit to flood victims is a low standard to shoot for.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

President Trump, stumps up $1 Million of his own personal money to Storm Harvey Relief efforts.

http://news.sky.com/story/trump-to-d...house-11014774

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Good for him.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

No, good for the victims Hugh.

Harvey Storm death toll stands at currently 31.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Although every death is tragic, the difference in scale between those killed in Houston (31) and SE Asia (1,200) is staggering.
I feel dreadfully sorry for everyone concerned in both situations well and also congratulate Trump on his donation.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Yes, it's equally sad about the Asia flooding. There was some criticism towards the media for their heavy coverage of the Texas flooding but the SE Asia flooding ng has had very little if what sporadic media coverage.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

That l do applaud.:tu:

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Yup a nice donation.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Not confirmed yet, still might 'change his mind', but it appears Trump is looking the end the Dream act. https://www.recode.net/2017/9/4/1624...ented-deported

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

So as it stands, the policy Obama introduced, is currently unconstitutional.

Seen lots if mixed reactions. Mostly tho seeing many Americans wanting him to end Dreamer act because they feel, their parents should have applied for legal citizenship, rather than enter country illegally, but mostly I see them say they feel undocumented illegals, drives down wages.

Of course those on the left, thinks it is just racism.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Well I take it they're not undocumented if they're taking advantage of the DACA and they would need to apply for a work permit. So they're no longer undocumented illegals and since they were there since childhood, anything from 1 day to 15 years, many of them will be naturalised in all senses but their legality.

So I think many on the left, although I believe many on the right as well, do not want a situation where people who grew up in America, have gone though the education system and are working will be deported from the country many of them have only ever known.

Besides that won't happen. Good luck trying to deport that many people. All it might do is take them out of the workforce.

To my mind the problem is that it's only ever going to be temporary until there is a path for citizenship for these people.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

As you say, Trump may change his mind. But he campaigned on removing undocumented illegals, though, his target was those who committed heinous crimes, like murder.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Why would he want them removed, surely they need to be in prison :shrug:

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Remember this isn't about those who've committed criminal offences. Those who have done so do not qualify for the DACA. Here is the qualifying criteria: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deferr...dhood_Arrivals


So it's rather less controversial than adults who entered illegally, remain undocumented and go after work. It's not simple to qualify, morally we're talking about people who were children when then entered, they have do not have a criminal record and have completed their education to at least high school level.

However what they are is easy to find. By definition it's not easy to track illegal undocumented immigrants but in this case these people are fully documented and identified. As is usually the case with these things it's the people who've done all that can be asked of them, people who sought to do things the correct way, that will be punished rather than those who remained off the grid.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Trump has tweeted in the last hour regarding DACA:-

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

As I understand it there's no decision on that yet, it'd have to go to the Supreme Court.

---------- Post added at 17:50 ---------- Previous post was at 17:49 ----------

Given the demographics in some Republican districts / states this is going to be messy.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Correct.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-polit...rs-immigration

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

This is like the healthcare bill. Trump knows he doesn't like something, usually something Obama did, and wants to scrap it but leaves the detail and dirty work to congress. What does Trump want to replace the DACA with? What did he want to replace the health bill with?

There is a reason Obama issued the executive order. It's because congress did nothing and this was at least something. It's a sticking plaster with many flaws but without support for a path to citizenship and not wanting to kill them all out of the states the solution was this half-way house of at least getting them with proper documentation, a right to stay and work permits.

Does Trump want them to become citizens? Does he want them expelled? Or does he just want to have the same thing in effect but freed of Obama's name so it looks like he has done something?

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

He just wants to keep his supporters happy with the minimum effort required non his part. They won't follow the detail so will be happy.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

U.S House of Representatives has approved the Presidents initial request for funding for Hurricane Harvey Aid Relief, $8bn.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Trump does a Hillary and sides with the Democrats.
https://www.ft.com/content/a93c57ae-...a-eda243196c2c

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Trump is still reeling with his own party over Obamacare and he's certainly let that be known via his tweets.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Is Trump having a change of heart over DACA.... latest Tweet by him....

Apparently he's met with Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. Trying to get a deal on The Wall by looks of it in exchange to protect DACA immigrants.

Meanwhile, his Election foe, Hillary Clinton, is blaming everybody and everything for her loss.... so far in her new book, "What Happened"... she blames....

Bernie Sanders and his supporters.
Barack Obama.
Benghazi.
James Comey.
The Russians.
Putin.
Wikileaks.
The Republicans.
The Democratic Party.
The FBI.
Twitter.
Facebook.
NYT.
Cable News.
Poll numbers.
Fake News.

More excuses to follow....

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Wow, someone who hasn't blamed Brexit for something... :eek:


:D


I wonder if she'll become as bitter as George Osborne. Maybe she just ought to move on with what's left of her life but some people simply refuse to accept what they see as their rightful destiny being denied them whatever the reason.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Look what happened on one of her recent book tours.... ;)

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

I think the woman comes across as a nasty troll. Especially when she moves onto Seth Rich which seems to be little more than a conspiracy advanced against the wishes of his family and her health. As well as confronting Huma Abedin about her divorcing her husband.

---------- Post added at 15:51 ---------- Previous post was at 15:43 ----------

If he gives these people citizenship it will be one of the best acts he could do as President. The Democrats should give him his wall for that. It's interesting if he does indeed work with them.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Nasty trolls ah yes, we have them in every increasing numbers thanks in large part to the obsession with social media. I'm so glad I'm not part of all that.

---------- Post added at 17:11 ---------- Previous post was at 16:22 ----------

As regards US policy towards 'immigrants' I recall some pretty horrific tales following the 9/11 tragedy in which quite a lot of people who'd been living/working in the US but lost partners in the attack faced huge problems re their immigration status and deportation. I think it's fair to say that the US system is in many ways far harsher than ours and I don't think the Democrats have changed that massively although I may well be wrong about that.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Yup. Not just them though. I find it amazing how they treated the first responders who later developing serious complications such as cancer as a result of their exposure to the dust and chemicals of the World Trade Center. It took campaigns from those involved, The Daily Show and a lot of time to pass a bill to ensure their health costs were covered. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/...b0e292150e9994

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Yes, it's a bit different from the Hollywood style image portrayed of a country which will go to any lengths to protect their own citizens. I find it odd that in some ways they go to extraordinary lengths to do the right thing but in other cases such as the 9/11 aftermath they seem to do the opposite. Go figure that out. :confused:

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

I'm no Clinton fan but this clip pans the depths of humanity in its tastelessness. But let's not fall into the "let's talk about Clinton instead" trap, this is a thread about POTUS.

Fortunately, Trump's negotiating skills aren't as robust as he believes so there is no need to fund the wall in exchange...though wasn't that meant to be funded by Mexico anyway? :confused:

His change of heart is not going down well with the alt-right.

'Put a fork in him. He is done,' says editor from once-loyal right-wing news site Breitbart as discussions for bipartisan deal with Democrats on DACA enrage fanbase

Can't help thinking the phrase "Put a fork in him. He is done" sounds like it should be spoken by Alan Partridge. :)

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

There is no trap, who was his election opponent?

Happy to totally forget about her. But she has become kinda relevant in terms if the topic again, given her new book release blaming her loss on just about everyone except herself.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Nice insight into the Trump White House.

The people of the United States wanted something that doesn't follow the normal ways and that's what they have, a White House that follows neither political or private sector norms.

I would feel sympathy for Jeff Sessions, tightening of immigration rules being his major political goal, him allowing himself to be humiliated to pursue it, and then apparently having it taken from him this week, but given how smug and self-satisfied he looked at the lectern last week I just can't.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

We're about as likely to be able to forget about her as Mr Blair sadly. They just won't go away...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-41283202

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Why is the arch criminal Clinton, still a free woman btw, wasn't she supposed to be behind bars by now?

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

https://twitter.com/nowthisnews/stat...12299701972992

Somewhat strange thing to be doing in the aftermath of a hurricane but to each their own.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

they let her off due to insanity :nutter:

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

It's a good question, even if sarcastically asked.

So many holes in her FBI Criminal Investigation but it is not meant to be classed as such, as ordered by Obama's former Attorney General, Loretta Lynch, who ordered Comey to call it, a 'matter'. Which confused and concerned him, but not so much for him to make notes of it, like he apparently did so, when he was in the presence of President Trump.



It was reported that former FBI Director, Comey had already drafted a response, clearing Hillary, before many key witnesses had even been interviewed and the investigation had concluded, this has rang alarm bells with members of the investigation committee, how can one clear someone before all key witnesses have been spoken to?

Comey himself may face an indictment, for leaking information via a friend, to the NYT. Even if the information itself is not classified, it is a federal crime to leak information. Senators argue that while Comey may claim, he wrote the notes, the notes were written on government property, therefore are covered under the non-disclosure legal policy that government employees swear an oath to.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Acting Office of Government Ethics Director David Apol has 'reinterpreted' guidance such that White House aides under investigation over Russian involvement in the 2016 election may now accept unlimited anonymous donations to fund their legal expenses.

The outgoing director, Walter Shaub, while leaving the job actually stated that the passing up of his deputy in favour of Apol should raise alarm bells, as Apol had a somewhat more 'relaxed' approach to ethics than his deputy, who would under normal circumstances be the natural successor for the acting position.

Still, her emails.

---------- Post added at 12:16 ---------- Previous post was at 12:14 ----------

Indeed. Mr Comey is in legal jeopardy. He should've not risen to the bait but waited for Mueller's investigation to reach its conclusion.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Make your mind up Donald

http://heavy.com/news/2017/09/donald...ris-agreement/

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Fake news. Sarah Sanders, WH Press Secretary put out a statement that Trumps position is unchanged and it even says this in the article you've linked to.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

What else did she say though, in literally the next breath she contradicted her previous statement

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

He's a short termist money grabbing Muppet. He's just realised that climate change might really have an economic risk to the US, much more than any threat from the Paris accord. Shame it's taken a few hurricanes for the idiot to realise it. Even bigger shame for all of us that changes might be too late. You can't just switch the hurricanes on and off Donald or wave your billions at them.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Money grabbing?

So what are China then, being allowed to build pollution busting power plants, while still part of the accord?

He is not taking any salary while being in office. ($400,000 per year).

He has just donated 1 million dollars of his own personal wealth to the hurricane relief efforts.

Where is Barack Obama's donation and the where is the Clinton Foundation contribution ?

Obama and the Clintons are too busy organising, paid for speeches events, charging hundreds of thousands of dollars per event, they are the real money grabbers here. :rolleyes:

https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...racial-justice

No she did not.

His position has not changed. The story is false. He is prepared to rejoin it if the terms are more favourable to the US. That was his position before.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

How is that a fair measurement? Does Obama need to donate to every cause Trump does now?

This in my opinion is why politicians should always keep the salary and not using personal money or to do so privately otherwise the richest people always have the advantage.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

What's his position when the roof has been ripped off his house and he's up to his neck in water? Same as the rest of us I should think.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

I have said to you before. He is prepared to re-negotiate the terms and re-join. As it stands, he considers them unfair (as did 20 or so other Republican Senators who urged Trump to quit the Accord)

China being allowed to build mass polluting power facilities while everyone else is not allowed. Why should China be allowed to do what it wants and still pollute the planet. Where is your whinging on this ? :rolleyes:

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

China has signed up to the Paris accord. The 'developing' countries have a legitimate argument that we caused climate change, so why should they now be held back. However even they have woken up to the fact this affects us all.
As with everything else Trump has pandered to his loony far right base. Now he is realising that increasing extreme weather events affects the US security and economy. Much more than the Paris accord does. He just has to sell it somehow to his disciples which won't be that hard as they are a bit dim. Wonder if anybody has tried explain to him that no matter what changes we make its going to take many decades to have any effect (not that that should stop us).

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Why is Mr K's accusation of Trump being a money grabber while in office, a fair measurement?

I'm sick of the one sided BS in this thread. Trump this, Trump that, but let's totally forget about these others on the Democratic side who are just as or more guilty of the things Trump is being accused of.

Former Presidents get a private pension but they also have a expenses reimbursement scheme and Obama is or has requested over a million dollars in expenses for 2018.

https://www.inquisitr.com/4472253/ba...g-1-1-million/

So if we want to talk about money grabbers. I'm happy to provide a bigger picture of who else is lining their pockets and using their high profile reputation, to make money with.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Didn't accuse him, of being of money grabber 'whilst in office'. He's already grabbed all the money he wants, he now just wants power. He didn't get his $3.5 billion by charity works. The $1m he gave to the hurricane victims represents 0.0003% of it (if my sums are right !).

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

A million dollars, is a million dollars. More than most people earn in a lifetime. In other words, it is still a lot of money for a sitting President to donate from their own personal fortune. I'm genuinely curious, but I wonder if other Presidents did the same during a natural disaster, when they were in office?

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

I don't think there is anything wrong with Trump claiming the standard amount of costs a President has. That article doesn't seem to suggest that Obama's expenses are that out of line with what comes with being a former President. They do appear to be expenses rather than him claiming $1 million.

Trump will get an office, Presidental library, pension and security protection as well. Any criticism of Trump/Obama should be directed at non-standard stuff.

---------- Post added at 11:27 ---------- Previous post was at 11:19 ----------

It's not part of the job and nor should it be. Credit to him for doing it but it's not a measure or the job of a President. The Government should be the ones providing funding for natural disasters because they can deal with the scale of funding required, such as the $8 billion congress passed.

As for other Presidents we don't usually know until they've left office and it's generally only shown on tax returns. Obama's donations seem to have mostly been directed a children's charities: https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalex.../#49db5714459e. He also seems to have been helping his Joe Biden as he struggled with his finances over the cancer treated for his son.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

No, I agree, it should not be a measure, but then until they get labelled a money grabber.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Why are you not labelling Bush Jnr and Bush Snr money grabbers as well?

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

I never said that they weren't, they are not recent, so never had the reason to bring them up, not a fan of either of them or Jeb Bush who ran in the Primaries in 2016 US Election.

Let's look at what each current living President earns or has earned per paid for speech, after leaving office... Starting with the President that earns the least.

Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/former-pre...g-fees-3368127

And $104 Million is just what Bill has earned, his other half, Hillary charges extortionate sums too and she was only U.S Secretary of State for a number of years.

Barack Obama, is already said to have earned $800,000 in paid for speeches since leaving office, his speaking fee is said to be around $400,000. Which is what he was paid for, in a 90 Minute Wall Street speech, earlier this year.

It's a very lucrative life, it seems once leaving office.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

... even if you were a liar in office as we know all too well both here and in the US. Mind you we never did hear to much from the usual bandwagon jumping celebrity clique about those things yet they have so much time to spend mocking Trump no matter what he does.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

From all accounts, the Emmys last night was a pure Trump bashing session. There is me thinking it was an award ceremony.

Pompous Hollywood or Hollyweirdos, comes to mind, do these idiots not realise that they are alienating over 60 million who voted for Trump, while probably pissing off the other half of Hillary's voters for bringing politics in to it? :rolleyes:

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Didn't you know the majority of "Pompous Hollywood or Hollyweirdos" are lovvie liberals who love preaching to us what our values should be whilst quite happily earning their millions?

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Yes, the irony and hypocrisy evident is supreme. They talk about 'walls' whilst surrounding themselves, their property and their millions with them wherever they can. They talk about housing yet own many. They talk about the environment and think owning a Prius makes up for their stable of luxury vehicles. They talk about humanity but what humanity does anyone who dares to stray onto their private estates, beaches, communities receive?

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

They're trying again to repeal Obamacare:

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/0...-repeal-242821

This one seems more extreme as it's going to cut the protection for pre-existing conditions and make cuts to medicare.

It looks like they might have the votes this time.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

If, as you say, this bill is more extreme and almost certain to be passed, then surely the ones to blame are the ones who blocked the previous less extreme one.

Surely if the Democrats and Republicans had got together to come up with an alternative to Obamacare instead of bickering between themselves they would not be in this situation now.

As both friends of Mick and myself (of both Democrat and Republican persuasion) will tell you Obama care needed reforming. It had ceased to be fit for purpose. That is their opinion not mine nor Mick's.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

People need to stand by their voting record. The people who pass this bill are those who voted to pass it. If the bill is passed and signed by the President then it is they who take the credit for those whose premiums fall and the blame for those who lose healthcare because of pre-existing conditions.

It's not as easy as finding an alternative to Obamacare. People were promised people wouldn't lose insurance and it would be cheaper. How do you do that? You can't. So either people lose protections for pre-existing conditions making other people's healthcare cheaper or the government pays in more as subsidy.

Everyone has American associates. It's a big country. It's a very divided country on what should happen. Everyone, including Obama himself, has said Obamacare needs improving. Many Democrats from the Sanders wing want Single-payer. Many Republicans want it essentially abolished. Many voters want to keep all the good things about Obamacare but cheaper.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

This is what China committed to in the accord by 2030:

China's carbon emissions are falling, have been since 2015 when they started really cutting back on coal usage, and they are leading the world in investment in renewables. They are responsible for 1/3rd of the world's entire investment in them at last figures.

http://fs-unep-centre.org/sites/defa...16lowres_0.pdf

They've recently built the world's largest off-shore solar farm for instance.

https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/201...-power-target/

Leading them to have broken their 2020 target for solar generation, set in 2016, this year. They now have twice the solar capacity of the United States.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Trump is now having a fight with the NFL and other sports teams after they come to the defence of a player who called Trump called “sons of bitches” and recommended be fired for kneeling during the American National Anthem: http://abcnews.go.com/US/nfl-players...ines_bsq_image

Distraction from the fact that in the coming days the Republicans will try to revoke Obamacare or just Trump going off on one?

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

The Kneeling began before Trump was elected. It is related to them protesting alongside Black Lives Matter.

I don't blame him at all. Those players who kneel during the anthem, are what Trump said they are. Kneeling is showing of a total sign of disrespect to flag, which people fought and died for it's freedoms and they are bringing the games in to disrepute by signalling the players own politics in to the games.

It's just like the Emmy!s last week, an award ceremony turned into a pathetic liberal overkill and Trump bashing session. Though Trump had the last laugh, given how many Americans decided not to watch it.

Can you imagine the uproar, if any one of the England team, sat or kneeled during "God save the Queen" ?

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Yeah but it's still all Trump's fault you realise... ;)

The players can protest about what they wish but to make a point of doing so during the national anthem is grossly disrespectful.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

I find the weird obsession with the symbolism of the flag as opposed to what it represents weird. You’ve said people died for freedom and this is one of them
, they died fighting oppressive regimes where they wouldn’t be allowed to knell during the national anthem.

I don’t have an opinion on if he’s right to knell or not, people are entitled to criticise him for it, I find it odd that the President would chose to call him a son of bitch and say those who do should be fired. Come to think of it I think my real problem is the leader of a nation getting to cast judgement on the patriotism of his or her citizens. It’s a authoritarian and nationalistic thing to do.

That said I don’t care that much, more wondering if he is up to something.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Yeah usually when he gets into these petty arguments it's to distract from something else. As far as patriotism goes we've had various politicians from the government lecturing us on it for a while now.

I'm waiting to see what delights the sociopathic Stephen Miller has in store.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

I don't think it's authoritative, Trump is just showing how exceedingly patriotic he is and that will ramp up favourably with his base.

Trump is entitled to criticise, it is just what he might say that raises the "appropriateness" of his view. We all know by now, how forthcoming he is via his tweets, but his haters want to shut him down, still scream "impeach impeach" but the Constitution does not grant the power to impeach a sitting President for expressing an opinion, or for not being popular. These same haters forget, 1st Amendment rights apply to the U.S President as well.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Trump knows his audience and he was playing to it. The words he used won't alienate his supporters.
What I find strange is the criticisms of liberal regimes. Surely the opposite of a liberal regime is an illiberal regime where human rights are not held so highly. Surely we don't advocate illiberal countries like Saudi Arabia and Belarus as perfect role models?

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

The Americans need to activate the 25th amendment.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

No they don't or can't.

It's not down to the 'American' public to activate it or invoke it. 25th Amendment actually covers succession to Presidency, in the event of inability due to incapacity, or death of the current sitting President.

The founding principles, is that in the event of one Chief Executive being incapacitated or dying while in office, that the U.S will always have a 'Chief Executive' and will respond if attacked or provoked.

Firstly, for the 25th Amendment to be invoked, it requires the President himself to declare his unfitness to serve the office and if he cannot do so because of his incapacity or unwillingness to so do, then it then involves the Vice President getting the agreement of the rest of the Trump Administration that the President is unfit to serve and make a written declaration to the Speaker of the House, and then it boils down to a two thirds vote, in both houses, this is hardly likely to happen.

There is no mechanism in the Constitution that covers a President being easily removed from office, especially if they have not committed a crime and that is on purpose, or else such clauses would be invoked and abused so easily, just because someone or some entity does not like what a President says or does.

Both Impeachment and 25th Amendment, are complex processes and both still require two thirds of both houses to remove a President from office.

I saw something so ridiculous yesterday, being said in a post on social media, some dude saying that Obama needs to become President again, while Trump is being investigated. Very important to note that Trump is not under FBI investigation for the Russian collusion story, Comey confirmed that when Testifying in June. Special Counsel Robert Mueller, maybe looking at Trump trying to obstruct justice, by firing Comey, we don't know, it's not been confirmed. But as for Obama becoming President again, even acting President, this is a no no. A former President cannot serve more than two terms.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Well some odd folks would like Bliar to be PM again. There's no accounting for taste...

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Exactly.

Well, just to remind you, it's the Labour conference this week, so where I would have normally had the news on in the background, I am going to make an exception this week, anything to watch and listen to those ghastly three running the show (Corbyn, Abbott and Mcdonnell). ;)

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Yes it's quaint how Labour make all sorts of indignant fuss about supposedly 'nasty' remarks made by 'nasty' Tories when they have a detestable thug like McDonnell as Chancellor/Deputy PM and are being controlled by the Momentum mob. Only Labour could refuse to accept the hypocrisy and pass themselves off as 'nice', 'tolerant' blah blah blah...

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Few things say exceedingly patriotic like draft dodging and extensive tax avoidance, potentially evasion once investigations are complete.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Oh come on, he did patriotically brag hours after 9/11 that he now had the tallest building in Manhattan (he was wrong btw).

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Oh come on actually, no he didn't. His words were misinterpreted to some tune.

Fact checking site Snopes rates it as 'Mixture' meaning there is more to the story than you are painting it in.

http://www.snopes.com/trump-bragged-tallest-building/

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Looks the repeal of Obama is dead, again, for now:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/25/u...dead.html?_r=0

'Looks like' bring the important word. Last time they said they made big changes to the bill that would be revealed within an hour of the vote...

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

It's a massive failure on 2nd branch of Government this (Congress). Millions of Americans suffering huge increases to premiums. But of course Trump will be the scapegoat. It's not Trump's job to legislate, only agree to sign them into law or veto them.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

The President can be a massive influence on legislation by working with congress. Most Presidents will have legislation they want to pass drafted up by White House officials in conjunction with the House. There is a reason the ACA was nicknamed Obamacare. If Obama is to 'blame' for Obamacare then surely Trump is reasonable, partly, for this failure to repeal it.

Trump wanted Obamacare repealed and campaigned on it but in Office he doesn't seem to care as much. He said a lot about no one losing healthcare: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8mcN0zweQE but he has since be willing to leave it all to congress.

Still, this is very much a Republican bill. Their failure is greater because they've spent the last six years promising this, even claiming they had policies ready which we can now see wasn't true.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

He made promises he couldn't keep and discussed how simple it would be to deliver better healthcare at a fraction of the cost. That's on him. Should've remembered it's not his job to legislate.

Trump's behaviour around funding the ACA is responsible for at least part of the premium increases. His administration is responsible for various Machiavellian actions geared towards degrading the quality and increasing the cost of care provided via the ACA.

http://health.oliverwyman.com/conten...arket_unc.html

If they have any sense they'll just get on with Medicaid for all with private insurance top-up plans. There's a really good reason why nowhere else in the developed world follows the US model.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

I am failing to see, how the current Administration is responsible for the increases, when they were already rising sharply in the previous Obama Administration, well before Trump took office.

The State of Arizona saw increases over 100% last year, before November 8th Election. My own American friends, saw massive jumps as early as 2015, how can the steep rises be attributed to Trump, specifically when he was not in government ?

Either way, the lack of the coming together approach in Congress, in that a whole bunch of Senators will vote down a bill, no matter what, because of who is in the White House and I accept it was like this for Obama too, but to not want to do the job expected of them by the American people, it's sad.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Mere details. Best not to get bogged down in them... )

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

He is just saying that this year the uncertainty will also cause premiums to raise. There were large increases before relating to that. Even Obama has said there are flaws that need to be worked on, mostly how they balance the coverage of sick/healthy people. They didn't expect as many unhealthy people needing healthcare amongst the insured pool.

The Republicans have enough senators to pass the bill. They can't find a compromise they all agree on.

You mention cost increases but what could be done to fix that? What they have now took a lot of out of Obama presidency as it is. Health care is hard and it's expensive. Every Republican plan has weakened protection for pre-existing conditions and would have priced out over people. Your friends for example would likely have only benefited if they didn't have pre-existing conditions they need covered and don't use Medicaid.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41394477

tbf she has a point. (cue Mick ;) )

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

No, Crooked Hillary does not have a point. It's a totally different situation. Crooked Hillary didn't even bother registering for her official Government email account! Nothing to see Mr K.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Wow. I'm going to tell Andrew you've hacked his account Mick :D

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

The difference is that there isn't (yet) the allegation that confidential material was on any of these private e-mail services.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

I guess I should be surprised by this.
Donald Trump has repeatedly said the Senate couldn’t vote this week on a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare because a Republican senator is in the hospital. However, there is no senator currently in hospital.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

I think he may have been talking about Scalise, the Republican who was almost killed by a far left maniac, a Bernie Sanders supporter, who went on a shooting spree against Republican Senators/Congressman.

That said, Scalise did return to Congress last night, on crutches, not sure if he returned in his capacity of a Congressman or he just visiting the house floor.

Trump may have been referring to him, he is only one who has recently been recouping from severe injuries. Given this, it is not hard to deduce that Scalise is now an outpatient, probably receiving follow up treatment and on the path to full recovery.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

He's not a Senator, he's a Representative.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Yes, thanks. I got that mixed up.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Maybe he meant McCain? The tweet is quite hard to parse.

Re: U.S President: Donald Trump
 

Maybe he meant 'what excuse can I use this time'....