It doesn't appear that Charles Krauthammer will be around much longer. This is a couple months old. I missed it till it appeared on FB yesterday. Refreshing view (as always with Charles).
https://uga.forums.rivals.com/threads/charles-hits-the-nail-on-the-head.318983/John
Sorry to hear about Charles, but he is as wrong as wrong can be in his analysis here. Trump is not a "pragmatist" (a person who is guided more by practical considerations than by ideals) -- he is transactional and binary. He is either winning or losing. This "transactional" approach can be good if the the person is well versed and knowledgeable about the topics he talks about. I'll let you decide what that case is for trump.
Well Shucks there "Kev",
I know it is driving the Liberals mad but Whats-His-Name is restoring the Constitution much to their dismay. I believe Krauthammer became more conservative as he aged. Or in other words, BOOK YOUR OWN LIFE!
When a person has endured the terrible obstacles Krauthammer (sp?) has faced... I am amazed at all the things he has accomplished during his predicted short life-span. No matter his politics. He has a mind like a steel trap, a quick wit and the soul of a Saint... in my humble opinion. He will be missed if "called home" by the Man Upstairs.
I saw the video about him the other night and it sure makes me sad. Greatness is a gift and he has not wasted a single bit of it on being snide or petty. Thanks for sharing, John.
Ray: Not interested.
Dave: It is always great to have decent people around, on either side of any argument. I can't say that I heard or read many of Charles' opinion pieces, but what I have heard makes him (in my mind) a fair-minded conservative spokesman.
At the end of the day it's about TV ratings.
It's the same thing with sports talk radio, I watch a lot and listen to a lot of sports media, majority of times I say to myself, this guy is an idiot, he doesn't know what he's talking about..... But he's on tv/radio.
I'm not big on politics, although I wish I could watch snl or late night tv without the anti trump comments. Not that I'm his supporter, I'd just like to watch a program without it
But same thing, these guys jobs are not to be right, their job is get ratings, the show will put a guy who gets ratings on in front of somebody sharper or wiser.
Both sides do this. Many conservatives didn't like Bill Oreilly, many liberals don't like the late night gang.
But if the ratings dropped, so would the talk about trump. He's making all these shows rich, and giving them sustainable careers
I wonder what they hell snl or late night will do when trump is out of office, they will be sad, cause all their material will be gone.
The message is, politics is entertainment, same as sports radio or tv, it's not there to be accurate, as it's all opinion anyway.
Trump has no knowledge of History and so he can just keep making the same mistakes. Charles is a fantastic guy and I'm a Dem.....I love this guy and loved his Book....Hope he doesn't die when he is supposed to. The Docs told me 18 months ago if I didn't have chemo I'd be dead in six months and I'm still here. The Docs don't know nothin.....My Poor wife now seems to have a Positive Breast Biopsy and am going to the GP for the Report and what to do next. She is 77 and now we both have cancer. It is really tough to take....
His Life Story is compelling and inspirational....
I just read the doctors gave him two weeks. Those generous doctors.
John
I like Trump on some levels and hate him on other levels. He is doing right by Israel. He is doing right with North Korea if they follow through. He is making friend with his enemies, which is ok, but he is making enemies with his friend and allies. By whacking duties on things that will drive up the cost of items that his fellow Americans have to buy, using false pretenses to do so, does not make sense. If he puts 25% duty on cars, along with the duty on aluminum and steel, it will increase the cost of a car by $8000.00. Apparently you now have the lowest unemployment rate in your history, some jobs go begging for someone to fill them, still he is turning people away that might fill those jobs. You don't have the capacity to manufacture all the aluminum and steel you need, so you still have to import it and pay that 25% duty, which drives up prices. You can't produce lumber fast enough to keep up with demand, so you must import lumber which has a duty slapped on it driving up cost. Penny wise and pound foolish comes to mind.
Krauthammer is a very decent man and it is too bad that his life is ending. I hope he leaves this life in comfort.
Trump patterned a presidential run after his experience with the WWF and reality tv. And against 20 plus competitors, half the country hating him, and most of the world hating him...he won out. On the first attempt. He beat them all. Don't kid yourself...a stupid person could not do that.
At this point, he is getting some traction and there is some shifting towards him by the "people in the middle." Very possibly, enough shifting for the repubs to hold the house and senate and Trump to win 2020. Facilitated by a troop of dem candidates who appear wild-eyed and crazy to your average wage-earning-bill-paying citizen.
Going forward, Trump's presidency hangs on the performance of the economy. If people have a paycheck, they vote for the paycheck. They don't care who the prez is banging on the side or about morality issues. The Clinton's proved that. As did the erstwhile (presumably) cocaine snorter, Obama.
As far as our allies hating us, that's a good sign. It's like these millennial children who won't leave home and get off the parent's teat. When the parents finally tell them that they have to leave, they throw a temper tantrum. even in their thirties.. Our allies need to get off of our teat. In reality, we are a debtor nation whose govt does not actually have the money to pay for all the things that the world will take from us.
Our trade imbalance has been a ridiculous double standard for years. Trump is condemned for wanting to install the same tariffs that our trading partners have installed...and the trading partners are raising hell about it. The millennial kid comes to mind there.
Trump is unlikable, but at this point in American history, he is a useful sociopath, in many ways. Trump seized on what was wrong in the USA and beat it like a drum to get elected. The reason that he is such a dislikable character is because the situation was so dislikable. it begat him. Similarly, the drug infested circumstance in the Phillipines begat a rather nasty dictator/president.
Ps...I'm sure that my post has fired up some TDS and shot up some blood pressures. Politically oriented topics are not good for a songwriting site. However, notwithstanding that...I added some clarity.
I voted for Trump but wouldn't again. I know a lot of Dems who feel the same way. I believe about a third of the County like a Big Daddy rather than a President of the Republic with all it's
problems with divided Gov....Trump has always been a Dictator of his company and still would like to have that. I fear for the Country as I see that if the Dems win back the house in 2018 Trumps Cult Following will believe it if Trump tells them the Election was crooked and they can't believe the Results....THEN WHAT? People in the Streets.....? Violence??? Don' think this isn't possible. IF this happens HE could declare Martial Law and close down all elections until order is restored. Then If there is violence in different states the Feds may come in and have to fight the National Guards.....I know I sound nuts but this could happen. We did have a Civil War.
Martin: Spoken with logic and solid reasoning.
I voted for Trump but wouldn't again. I know a lot of Dems who feel the same way. I believe about a third of the County like a Big Daddy rather than a President of the Republic with all it's
problems with divided Gov....Trump has always been a Dictator of his company and still would like to have that. I fear for the Country as I see that if the Dems win back the house in 2018 Trumps Cult Following will believe it if Trump tells them the Election was crooked and they can't believe the Results....THEN WHAT? People in the Streets.....? Violence??? Don' think this isn't possible. IF this happens HE could declare Martial Law and close down all elections until order is restored. Then If there is violence in different states the Feds may come in and have to fight the National Guards.....I know I sound nuts but this could happen. We did have a Civil War.
Barry...I suppose that there are several Sci-fy scripts possible. One previous one was that the stock market was going to tank the day Trump took office because of its revulsion towards him. It didn't happen.
It's the economy. People aren't going to take to the streets in numbers that matter and tear up property if they have jobs.
Wal Shucks Fire,
All this banter about Whats-His-Name reminds me of the Aesop's Fable about the Mice that wanted to put a Bell on the Cat. Every agreed it needed to be done but who was brave enough to do it. All the Talking Heads are sure chirping away, waiting for somebody else to Bell the Cat. Ha,Ha,Ha......
Let's face it, Trump got elected for two reasons. 1. People wanted a change, ANY change. 2. he managed to get the working class/middle class on his side. They are the backbone of this country, and he knew it. Not that he cares one bit about the middle class, but that's who he appealed to
When Mr. Trump announced his candidacy, he would have been my last choice... well, nearly last. Does he fit the mold? No, when compared to all the others with one exception. Has he done the job. YES! Despite all the obstacle creators, nay sayers and never-Trumpers. I've never witnessed more energy and effectiveness. Do I like his "tweets?" Not necessarily... but he has less than 10% of the "press" even willing to give him a fair shake... so he makes his own news.
I guess that makes me "middle class"... even though I've always thought of myself as Royalty! LOL!
I believe Mr. Mueller should resign immediately and take his stooges with him so this man can complete the job he was elected to do. The FBI and the IRS need a large dose of Castor Oil.
Get over it Hillary worshipers. She would have driven us to ruin, surrendered to the North Koreans and sold us to the Chinese or Russians just so she and slick Willy could have slid into retirement on some faraway tropical island.
Sorry John (and Charles Krauthammer)... we've stolen your thread and turned it into another political comedy.
Sorry Dave my friend but we part company here and I voted for him.
He seems unstable to me and a real Bully Boy and can't keep a thought straight.
IF he doesn't like what he hears or reads he doesn't address it he just calls it fake.
He has a cult following and I find them liking a Big Daddy Leader and not divided Gov..
I see two freight trains barreling down a track towards each other with no brakes and when they collide there will be a Civil War here in America and it will be neighbor against neighbor. I see some of your points but I'm off the reservation. Terrible violence may be coming to America but hope I'm wrong.....BUT I'M NOT....
Sorry Dave my friend but we part company here and I voted for him.
He seems unstable to me and a real Bully Boy and can't keep a thought straight.
IF he doesn't like what he hears or reads he doesn't address it he just calls it fake.
He has a cult following and I find them liking a Big Daddy Leader and not divided Gov..
I see two freight trains barreling down a track towards each other with no brakes and when they collide there will be a Civil War here in America and it will be neighbor against neighbor. I see some of your points but I'm off the reservation. Terrible violence may be coming to America but hope I'm wrong.....BUT I'M NOT....
Disagree.
I don't like Trump personally. I think that he's a complete azzo and a sociopathic liar. The tweets are entertaining to me, and allow him to fabricate the news before the overwhelmingly liberal establishment press does. I like that they hate it.
But there is the Trump Paradox. Although he, personally, is an unceasing Sh t-storm...for the most part, I like his positions on major issues, and like judiciary appointments (massive importance), and like what he signs into law. And he is bizarrely consistent where the rubber meets the road. In that regard, the entire political system offered no close second. Everyone else took orders from the same donor class that had decided that middle-class American citizens are not an important enough matter to be concerned with. Only international profits are. Which is great profits for them and a job for the guys who will maintain the upcoming multitude of robots that will be taking over all the work, To quote Pink..."what about us?"
As for violence...
Look around and think back. When Obama was in, everything was about race relations. And Charlotte, Ferguson and other places were riot nodes with 24 hour media presences that would go on for days or weeks. It is not worse, it is calmer, it is better.
Even Rocket Man and Trump are having a smooch-fest. Under Obama, he was a non-stop thorn in the side.
Whazzat Dave?
Castor Oil. Damn Dave you are mean! I can still taste that stuff 70 years later!
I think Trump has taught us that it does not matter one bit who The President is.
Life as most of us know it is the same today as it was before he got in. And even people who don't like him are going to try to say something positive because
they are Republicans, and they'd rather have a mess of a Republican than a great Dem.
The whole party thing doesn't sit well with me. To me people who vote for their party without looking at who's running are being too idealistic.
I didnt vote last time cause i didn't like either of them, and maybe not voting sends a message to find us some candidates!
Martin where does Trump consistency come in? Where is the wall? Mexico was gonna pay for it.... Where is the improvements on infrastructure he mentioned on his victory speech?
I dont mind Trump really, but he hasnt helped the middle class and hasn't done much. But no President does
I think Trump has taught us that it does not matter one bit who The President is.
Life as most of us know it is the same today as it was before he got in. And even people who don't like him are going to try to say something positive because
they are Republicans, and they'd rather have a mess of a Republican than a great Dem.
The whole party thing doesn't sit well with me. To me people who vote for their party without looking at who's running are being too idealistic.
I didnt vote last time cause i didn't like either of them, and maybe not voting sends a message to find us some candidates!
Martin where does Trump consistency come in? Where is the wall? Mexico was gonna pay for it.... Where is the improvements on infrastructure he mentioned on his victory speech?
I dont mind Trump really, but he hasnt helped the middle class and hasn't done much. But no President does
He can't build the wall personally. But he is unrelentingly pursuing it. He is unrelentingly pursuing a secured border and stopping illegal entrants. In the face of screaming opposition. First president to do so in my lifetime.
He is taking on all of our trading partners with regard to imbalances, theft of intellectual property, off-shoring American jobs. Also, in the face of screaming opposition. Oddly, by many of the people who might benefit.
He is unrelentingly appointing conservative judges. That's a big deal.
He pursues infrastructure spending but cant pass it himself and gets blocked for a multitude of reasons. The one silver lining to that dark cloud is that the US does not have the huge money that is being talked about for that purpose.
And I disagree with your first point. Life is better.
Obama installed a lot of regs on people and business. HRC would have removed none and added more. Obama had fed taxes up high. HRC would have left them there. Tax reductions clearly stimulate economic activity. Things are much more optimistic economically than they would have been under HRC.
And her presidency would have been every bit the vitriolic circus that Trump's is.
But that's where I part with Trump fwiw...I think that he overshot on roll backs. The financiers in this country proved during the S&L collapse and the mortgage bust that when govt let's go of their reins, they will run the economy into the ground every time. I think that Trump rolled back too much on the bankers. And he did so with a 20tril debt (headed for 30tril) that no one talks about anymore now that the repubs are in. The repubs used to beat that drum to death under Obama. Trump could be setting up the big and total collapse that was avoided during the early Obama years. I hope not. I will be terribly old if everything falls to pieces.
The gist...Trump is far from perfect, but still the best choice that many of us have.
Well,
It is a part of life when someone passes. I have lost loved ones from barely past infancy to at least age 97. Lot of stuff there to digest Martin. A lot of elected officials passed the Buck for a lot of years expecting to fix it tomorrow. Well tomorrow is here and the result is Donald Trump. The unfortunate thing for all those trying to still fudge things is Trump has been seeing it all these years. Seeing Rome in the distance will sober you up in a hurry! A lot of people are screaming but they know he is right. Write a hit! Geronimo!
I just don't like the Dude Period...
I just don't like the Dude Period...
That is an emotional dismissal Barry.
In line with FD's last comment....there are people in an office building somewhere (dems) who just celebrated the fact that you have publicly announced that you are "in-the-bag" with Trump haters. It was their job to get you in-the-bag.
Are you comfortable in-the-bag?
I'm in nobody's bag....He is a Bully Boy [naughty word removed] and If I'm emotional SO BE IT....
Real talk Barry.
Those people are up in that office building right now, typing into a computer, what they have in mind for you to be saying in a couple of weeks. Please be careful about what you allow them to insert into your brain.
Today, it's hate on Trump and open the border, but in the future they might have you deciding to kill your cat, or something.
Please be careful. If for no other reason, for the cat's sake.
I have one foot in the Grave and am way past being fearful. I am a We The People kind of person. IF somebody gets sick they need affordable care.....WE THE PEOPLE....kill me if you want but you can't kill an idea.
I hate to break in on this "debate" but wanted to remind everyone Charles actually died today. Its on the news now and it has been a while since I have heard so many people from both sides of our divided Nation say so many nice things. He was a class act, an example of real courage and tenacity and will be missed. So many people remembered his kindness. What better way to be honored?
I hate to break in on this "debate" but wanted to remind everyone Charles actually died today. Its on the news now and it has been a while since I have heard so many people from both sides of our divided Nation say so many nice things. He was a class act, an example of real courage and tenacity and will be missed. So many people remembered his kindness. What better way to be honored?
This kind of debate/discussion is what he was all about. In a real sense, though arguably insignificant, the differences of opinion politely expressed here...honor his life and memory.
RIP Charles. You'll be missed.
John
Martin, nothing annoys me more than the media ganging up on Trump, and that's when I find myself defending him. There is no doubt the media is controlled by liberals.
That said, it's not hard to find fault with Trump. Nobody lies more than he does, I mean how do you say I didn't say something, when there is tape and video of you saying it. There's a very good chance he is a racist. And for the leader of the free world and a country built by Immigrants to be racist is about as Anti American as you can be.
I agree with some of his off color comments just as much as a lot of us do, but won't admit, but I think we have to try to say the right things, at least. We don't cuss in front of kids cause we know it's a bad example, and wrong, so we hold it in.
I also hate the response "they won't let him do this, or they won't let him do that". No, wait a minute, when you were campaigning, you didn't mention that you may not be able to do this, you said you would do it, and people voted for you because of that.
People believed Mexico would pay for the wall cause he sold us that line, "oh he's such a good business man, he'll be able to do it....."
I dont wanna hear you can't do anything, that is what is supposed to make you different. And that goes for any president. They say what ever they have to to get elected.
If he said, well, I'm going to try to do this, and I'm sure I'm going to face resistance, I may not succeed, but I'm going to try. You might respect him more, but you won't vote for him either.
I personally don't care about Stormy Daniels, or any of that stuff.
In some cases, his comments are spot on, and echo what a lot of people are thinking, but you do have to look inward and try to be a decent person as well.
I just want a People Friendly Government. He is mean. He actively trying to take away the ACA's Pre existing conditions part. That means if you can't get your health care insurance through your Job, Medicaid or Medicare if you have cancer it WON'T be covered. Trump promised that he would replace Obama care with something better but never proposed much. Mexico ain't paying for the wall. I was and am for an even playing field ( tariffs ) bit I'm finding out it's more complicated as we have many foreign auto plants here in America giving out good jobs....Trump doesn't care about anything other than winning SOMETHING, SO I'm hoping the Dems take back the House in 2018 and we get a new Pres in 2020....I voted for him but feel like I was conned by one of the Greatest Con Artist Hucksters in History. He is really Good.
Well,
Rest in peace Charles, Rest in peace Barry, Rest in peace, Fedmetrio, Rest in peace this column, For a more up to date look at things, It is a well known Fact that the Liberals, Progressives, Democrats, and Communists want to run the Country, but they want the Conservatives and Republicans to pay for it. Wow. The latest ploy is open the borders and take in all who want to come, now that the Pilgrims have done all the dirty work. So your order for the day is take an illegal to lunch, while he takes your welfare, your job, your hard work, running up your National Debt! I would say The Donald is taking names and kicking *ss., Eh? Rest in peace Charles, the Kingdom is in good hands.
FD
I don't like a lot of things about Trump. I never watched The Apprentice because I thought that he and the show were disgusting. His pompous crap along with playing a group of past-their-peak celebrities against each other, for the enjoyment of the acrimony held no facination for me. And the funny thing is that so many people who hate him now, loved "the Donald" then.
But I like border security. I like an American president putting America first in all trade negotiations. I like conservative judge appointments. There is no place else to get that but Trump. Mild-mannered and mature acting Jeb Bush? Not now, not ever. Mitch McConnel? Paul Ryan?
Life is mostly imperfect choices. Trump is very imperfect.
And that effin jacket that his wife wore, befuddles the hell out of me. Whadayado?
Ray, how did all the people who built and worked in factories, made the 20th century the greatest industrial century of all time, fought for and died for this country in WW1 and WW2 and Korea and Vietnam, get here? They were immigrants too. You're an immigrant and so am I. You would not be here if somebody stopped your ancestors.
If Trump was president then, this great country would have never developed.
That said, we need border security, and it is pretty easy to see a certain portion of the bad guys and where they come from.
But people who talk about the constitution and want it upheld. Well, doesn't it say "all men are created equal" and we all have unalienable rights?
That's different, let's twist the consitution and use it word for word when convenient, but when we want something else, let's change it.
The consitution can't last forever, nothing, not even the earth or stars last forever. Life evolves, so do the times.
I understand we got problems, and we need to stop being afraid to call things like they are. But if we also piss off enough people Goliath may fall
The Roman Empire lasted 2000 years but collapsed, the aggressors always lose in the end, history teaches us that.
Eh,
Rest in peace Fdemetrio. Uh, we have an Immigration Law. We have about 1.1 Million new Citizens coming each year the Legal Way. I'm not sure, but the History Books say there were only about 50 thousand Natives in the country when the first Pilgrims arrived. And some say they migrated from Asia. If we open the borders and allow all that want to come, the Welfare System will be overwhelmed and we will either be feeding them or burying them as they starve to death.
So, I have to ask, where would these people be if they didn't have a great big wonderful country like the United States to come to. Where? That's right, back in their own country.
Where do all these people belong? Back in their own country. And so far the American people have not seen fit to change the Immigration Law and allow these people to stay. I don't want to become a Third World Country. Do you???
There must be 10's or 100's, or thousands, or even hundreds of thousands or even millions of people in all these countries that live pretty non descript lives that can't or don't want to leave. Like it or not, we can't take in the whole world, it is time they started taking more responsibility for themselves, no?
Rest in Peace Charles, the Kingdom is in good hands!!
Yeah, we also took the land from people who were here first.
Nobody is talking about Illegals, we're talking about saying certain groups are not allowed in....legally.
A Third World War is more likely to happen if we push people around and get enough people pissed at us.
Don't forget the pilgrims were English, immigrants.
We cannot let everybody in. Not sure how this gets fixed but it's got to be monitored. My entire family came from Russia SOOO....
It about 15 years our country will be Brown and Asian and the older whites like me are scared and this is their last gasp.
We must control our borders and the visas etc....
Yeah Barry, but if it's mean to change and take away health care, it's equally mean denying people who desperately need somewhere to go.
no, we can't help everyone, and we do need borders, which has not come to fruition yet.
It's not an easy fix, we were given very easy answers and they are not real answers.
Yeah, we also took the land from people who were here first.
Nobody is talking about Illegals, we're talking about saying certain groups are not allowed in....legally.
A Third World War is more likely to happen if we push people around and get enough people pissed at us.
Don't forget the pilgrims were English, immigrants.
FD
Legal immigration is fine within reasonable limits.
The country is built out though, from sea to shining sea.
The transcontinental railroad is done.
The Interstate highway system in done.
We have highly populated cities on all coasts and the interior.
I am not an immigrant. I am a citizen. My ancestors were immigrants, not me.
There was a time when immigrants came to the US knowing that there were no handouts. They would have to make their way. Now they get schooled in how to tap the welfare and disability money before they come. They are expensive. We are in debt badly. That is not a non-issue. We can't afford them. I also read that illegals are 21 percent of the federal prison system. That's is absurd if true.
And..yes the Romans were brutal masters. The people who sacked them (Visigoths) were more brutal at a time when the Roman aristocracy had become acquiescent and lost the will and ability to defend Rome. A lesson is there. And nothing lasts forever.
sidenote
I think that the "empire" (as in emperors) only lasted about 500 years.
Not sure.
martin
1500 for imperial, 500 for republic...2000
Point is you can be big and bad for a long time before somebody else gets pissed off. There are people who would love to end the US. right now
Yes, illegals do cause trouble, gang members and the like. And Trump is right in saying if u commit a violent crime here you"re gone. These kind of people can't take away spots from people who just want a shot at a life.
1500 for imperial, 500 for republic...2000
Point is you can be big and bad for a long time before somebody else gets pissed off. There are people who would love to end the US. right now
Yes, illegals do cause trouble, gang members and the like. And Trump is right in saying if u commit a violent crime here you"re gone. These kind of people can't take away spots from people who just want a shot at a life.
Fd
Check that. I believe...Imperial Rome started when Julius crossed the Rubicon a little before 0 and ended when Alaric crashed the gates of the city about 5 centuries later. Not sure. Eastern Empire went on. Actually, I don't think that Alaric crashed the gates. I believe that the Romans (under seige) opened them for him hoping that he would give em a break. He didn't. He slaughtered them and ransacked "the eternal city."
Today, look around the world. It is largely dictators, warlords and presidents in name only. e.g. rocket man and Putin. If you're an azzo, they come at you. If you're nice, they come at you. If you have something worth taking, they come at you.
Read up on the drug cartels in Mexico to learn what this country is facing. Every day they infiltrate more.
Someone stated it well when they said...the world is run by pitbulls. Now the USA has its own.
My western civ is a bit rusty but I do believe I'm correct. What's funny is you mention dictators, dictators like we have now have been around since civilizations began. And all of them crumble, eventually. But you can read more about Rome here.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_EmpireYes, drug cartels are a major problem. But if we didn't have so many people wanting drugs, there wouldn't be anything to sell.
Drug Cartels are like their own countries, own empires. A wall is not going to stop them. Only nuclear bombs or at least military action. Even then it's like fighting an ideology, not sure who or what the enemy is, there is no target practice for that.
The world will wax worst and worst and then the end will come. How much worst must it get before the end comes, I think we will soon see.
I think that this thread has spent what it has to say.
I vote to retire it.
May Charles Krauthammer rest in peace.