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Post by stargatebabe on Nov 17, 2024 8:03:13 GMT -6
Your explanations for those 3 positions seem to hit a certain theme; the Secretary or Director needs to come from within the organization. If the desire was a typical go along to get along person in charge, great. This aint the goal of the 2nd Trump Admin. Oh I'm sure you believe you are the only one who has it figured out Honestly, I'm not sure what I want to hear more, the Message at Church or you next proclamation Whenever your Highness feels ready to bless us rubes with your superior reasoning but so sickening full of himself. He can be.......when he's not so sickening full of himself, which is pretty much all the time! |
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Post by moody on Nov 17, 2024 8:09:21 GMT -6
Mel is interesting but so sickening full of himself. He can be.......when he's not so sickening full of himself, which is pretty much all the time! I agree with him a lot. But, his style of telling you how smart he is grates on me sometimes. I wish he could even be a little modest. But, he doesn’t seem to be able to pull that off. |
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Post by stargatebabe on Nov 17, 2024 8:12:54 GMT -6
He can be.......when he's not so sickening full of himself, which is pretty much all the time! I agree with him a lot. But, his style of telling you how smart he is grates on me sometimes. I wish he could even be a little modest. But, he doesn’t seem to be able to pull that off. Sorry but it doesn't matter if I agree with him or not, if I can't tolerate reading his narcissistic bullshit! I doubt he can spell "modest", let alone has any clue of what the definition is! Hell, he's worse than cockwomble |
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Post by Starbuck on Nov 17, 2024 9:53:09 GMT -6
Your explanations for those 3 positions seem to hit a certain theme; the Secretary or Director needs to come from within the organization. If the desire was a typical go along to get along person in charge, great. This aint the goal of the 2nd Trump Admin. Oh I'm sure you believe you are the only one who has it figured out Honestly, I'm not sure what I want to hear more, the Message at Church or you next proclamation Whenever your Highness feels ready to bless us rubes with your superior reasoning Mel is interesting but so sickening full of himself. Moody, I would point out that in this thread some individuals have specifically asked me to provide a detailed explanation of some of the grades I assigned. Which I kindly and graciously accommodated. Rather than then dialoguing over my explanations, some choose to make snide and unproductive personal attacks. The logical conclusion is that they lack either the interest or the ability to do so. Personally, I refuse to stoop to personal invective and mudslinging. There is too much of that on the internet already and I have made the choice to do the opposite. If others object to that, so be it. I will stick to my standards. Respectfully (and I do respect your perspectives) that is not being "full of it". That is being full of principles and standards - which is actually what this grading exercise and conversation is all about. I find it very interesting - and predictably disappointing - that while folks openly admit that Trump made several mistakes in his appointments 8 years ago, they are openly hostile to any possibility that he is, with some picks, repeating that very thing this time around. That is nothing more than a display of closed minds - which is not healthy for the individual nor for the country. |
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Post by moody on Nov 17, 2024 10:00:54 GMT -6
Mel is interesting but so sickening full of himself. Moody, I would point out that in this thread some individuals have specifically asked me to provide a detailed explanation of some of the grades I assigned. Which I kindly and graciously accommodated. Rather than then dialoguing over my explanations, some choose to make snide and unproductive personal attacks. The logical conclusion is that they lack either the interest or the ability to do so. Personally, I refuse to stoop to personal invective and mudslinging. There is too much of that on the internet already and I have made the choice to do the opposite. If others object to that, so be it. I will stick to my standards. Respectfully (and I do respect your perspectives) that is not being "full of it". That is being full of principles and standards - which is actually what this grading exercise and conversation is all about. I find it very interesting - and predictably disappointing - that while folks openly admit that Trump made several mistakes in his appointments 8 years ago, they are openly hostile to any possibility that he is, with some picks, repeating that very thing this time around. That is nothing more than a display of closed minds - which is not healthy for the individual nor for the country. I do find your posts interesting, and most of the time I actually agree with you. I just don’t your braggart side. You know you do that. It’s just a personality trait that I struggle with. I also know what it’s like to be fresh meat on a issue. And being gang tackled. Sorry for piling on. I do enjoy your topics and your perspective. |
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Post by Starbuck on Nov 17, 2024 10:09:45 GMT -6
Now, to "wrap up" concerning Gabbard and Gaetz.
Once I explain this last point, all fair minded individuals will understand and acknowledge why Trump is attempting to install them.
Which government agencies unfairly and unjustly targeted and attacked Trump from the moment he won the 2016 election?
Which government agencies did Obama and Biden unleash in a coup attempt against the incoming administration?
Answer: the "Justice" Department and the alphabet soup of intelligence agencies.
That is an established fact.
Now, even though the REPs will control both legislative chambers, Trump knows full well that he will almost certainly lose the House in 2 years - and if that happens a DEM majority would immediately conspire with deep state actors in those same agencies to pursue yet another sham impeachment.
Trump believes he needs "protection" in the "Justice" Department and the intel agencies who would be able to shut down investigations - whether valid or invalid.
That is the sole reason he wants to install Gaetz and Gabbard.
Nixon style hatchet men.
Is he right to believe the corrupt DC swamp will again attack him through these agencies at every opportunity?
Of course.
Does that mean the correct antidote is to install deeply flawed, highly partisan, clearly unqualified swamp creatures of his own, who would prioritize protecting him over protecting the country and the constitution?
I do not believe so.
Others might.
DC is a dirty game and Trump plans to fight dirty as is necessary.
And though I understand their logic and motivations in defending these picks, it does not change the fact the individuals selected were not chosen based on qualification or suitability.
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Post by captbudman on Nov 17, 2024 11:11:39 GMT -6
Can't wait for the "Russian Asset" argument on Tulsi. That is a freakin joke. Why would you believe Gabbard is a Russian asset? She is not and never has been. But she certainly deserves the low grade I have assigned. She is an accomplished political animal and that should rightfully be recognized. Self-promotion, devoid of any singular guiding principle, has always been her skill and it has served her well. She is left, she is right, she is centrist - depending on the weather and her personal agenda of the day. She was the darling of Pelosi before she was the darling of Trump. But, that is not a disqualification nor is she unique in being a shameless opportunist. Tulsi, for all her foibles, is a patriot who has loyally served her nation. While she was a Democrat (like RFK, Jr), she's been anti-War while also serving in combat zones. That doesn't make her any more of an "opportunist" (to use your poorly phrased description) than any other politician. She may have been suitable for some other role, but not Director of National Intelligence. She has no experience in the intelligence community, and worse yet shows a diminished capacity in that arena. I do give her credit for her general view of limited miliary intervention - but her judgement in dealing with intel issues is woeful. Mel -- do you even know what the DNI does or when it was created? The DNI was created after 9/11, with the theory was that the office was to insure that the 17 various intelligence agencies communicate ad share information to prevent another 9/11. She's also a commissioned officer (Lt. Col), one of the desires of Congress as defined by 50 U.S. Code § 3026. She also knows that our intelligence can't be trusted. I will give just 3 examples. One, she strongly disputed that Assad had gassed civilians for quite some time - even though the evidence that he had was overwhelming and the consensus was near universal. Hard to give her any credence as a security advisor when she flat out refused to accept provable facts. It is one thing to say the USA has no business trying to overthrow dictators (and she is correct about that) but it is another entirely to reject facts simply because they are not convenient to your position. Nancy Pelosi also met with Assad. As far as gassing civilians, it's been well documented that ISIS (ISIL) used chemical weapons to attack civilians. What else do we know about Syria and America's fight against Assad, which started under Obama. Did you forget how Obama and Victoria Nuland created color revolutions around the world, toppling governments in Ukraine and the Middle East? Did you forget that the CIA was supplying arms and training "moderate Sunni Arabs" that ended up being Al Qaeda? Did you forget that the CIA was smuggling weapons from Libya into Syria to give to these "moderate" Al Qaeda, which resulted in our Ambassador being murdered? Tulsi's desire to end the civil war should be applauded, not condemned. Two, she is 100% onboard with Biden's green energy mandate and she believes the USA should be using 100% renewable energy by 2035 - abandoning all fossil fuels. This stance is extremely dangerous to America's national security interests - and it is disqualifying that she cannot grasp such an obvious reality. The intelligence agencies, of which the DNI is supposed to coordinate with, has no input in America's energy production or consumption. Like your complaint about RFK, Jr, her views on "green energy" are irrelevant to the position. You might as well be arguing if she prefers food grilled with charcoal or gas, and how that impacts her views on intelligence gathering. You also are missing the most important part of the Deep State: Our intelligence agencies are almost always wrong, are bloated with activist permanent, unelected, unaccountable, and unfireable incompetent bureaucrats that have blundered us into wars, not to forget that the Deep State has tried to undermine our elected government officials. Three simple examples: the Deep State spread the "Russia, Russia, Russia" Collusion myth, tried to remove President Trump by lying about the perfect phone call (Deep State members were angry that President Trump rejected their policies), not to mention how they put Tulsi on the TSA terrorist watchlist. Three, she has a blind spot in favor of China - here again, much like Biden. This despite the fact that China's theft of American science and technology over the decades has damaged our nation economically and has surrendered our military superiority. She sees China as a friendly competitor rather than the leading threat to America which it is. Again, simply terrible judgement and utterly unsuitable for a DNI role. Once again, you're wrong. What Tulsi has said, which is what Trump has also said consistently, is that we don't need another Democrat started cold war. We don't need to push Russia into China's arms, recreating the Cold War with China leading. Tulsi has also been critical of China's trade policies. That noted, she's not in the NSA, State Department, or heading up our economic trade policies. Trump isn't going to reverse his policies on China irrelevant of who is head of the DNI. Trump has made some good choices. But just like 8 years ago, he is making some very bad selections - and she is unquestionably one of them. Eight years ago, Trump had no experience in government. When he won, he had to staff his government and relied on many GOP government officials to fill the slots. Many of those joining his administration were interested in padding their resume only; they were still RINO establishment members not supporting MAGA. Hence, the bad selections were his hiring RINOs who fought the implementation of his policies. Those being nominated for positions in his cabinet support his policies. |
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Post by captbudman on Nov 17, 2024 11:57:08 GMT -6
Let's address Gaetz. He was a private practice attorney for less than 2 years before being gifted with a Florida State House of Representatives seat for 6 years courtesy of his power-broker father (Don, who became President of the Florida State Senate). He was then elected to the US House of Representatives in one of the most Republican districts in the nation, holding the seat unchallenged from 2017 until resigning last week. No Congressional seat belongs to any individual. The seats belong to the people, of which the majority have elected him to office. He has never supervised any lawyers, has never supervised a large staff,has no accomplishments from his brief private practice, has no record of trying any significant court case, has never worked a single day in law enforcement, and has been a Republican back-bencher with zero meaningful legislative accomplishments. That's it. His entire resume. He is a consummate politically connected insider - not unlike Liz Cheney. There's lots of angst in the uni-party over Gaetz's action in challenging how our government is run. Gaetz led to the ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, angering RINO establishment members. He's also been one of the leaders in questioning and investigating the Deep State corruption of the DOJ. The reason they fear Gaetz is that he's going to expose their corruption, including the coordination between the DOJ and the NY and GA persecutors who went after Trump, the J6 persecutions, protection of Hunter Biden, persecution of old ladies praying on streets, and targeting parents who are complaining at schoolboard meetings. The Attorney General of the United States is responsible for representing the US government in all cases before SCOTUS in which the federal government is involved, is responsible for giving constitutional legal advice to the president and executive department branches, and employs over 100,000 government employees. There is nothing in Gaetz's career resume which makes him an adequate fit for the role. There's an old adage of opening your mouth and inserting your foot. In this case, Starbuck has inserted his entire keyboard and mouse. Mel doesn't understand how the DOJ is run. The Attorney-General doesn't go to court -- there are attorneys who do that. Gaetz will not be arguing in front of the SCOTUS; that role will be done by Dean John Sauer as Solicitor General. Todd Blanche will also be the Deputy AG, who will be running the day-to-day matters of the DOJ when it comes to prosecutions of people indicted for federal crimes. |
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Post by oedipustex on Nov 17, 2024 13:00:27 GMT -6
Let's address Gaetz. He was a private practice attorney for less than 2 years before being gifted with a Florida State House of Representatives seat for 6 years courtesy of his power-broker father (Don, who became President of the Florida State Senate). He was then elected to the US House of Representatives in one of the most Republican districts in the nation, holding the seat unchallenged from 2017 until resigning last week. No Congressional seat belongs to any individual. The seats belong to the people, of which the majority have elected him to office. He has never supervised any lawyers, has never supervised a large staff,has no accomplishments from his brief private practice, has no record of trying any significant court case, has never worked a single day in law enforcement, and has been a Republican back-bencher with zero meaningful legislative accomplishments. That's it. His entire resume. He is a consummate politically connected insider - not unlike Liz Cheney. There's lots of angst in the uni-party over Gaetz's action in challenging how our government is run. Gaetz led to the ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, angering RINO establishment members. He's also been one of the leaders in questioning and investigating the Deep State corruption of the DOJ. The reason they fear Gaetz is that he's going to expose their corruption, including the coordination between the DOJ and the NY and GA persecutors who went after Trump, the J6 persecutions, protection of Hunter Biden, persecution of old ladies praying on streets, and targeting parents who are complaining at schoolboard meetings. The Attorney General of the United States is responsible for representing the US government in all cases before SCOTUS in which the federal government is involved, is responsible for giving constitutional legal advice to the president and executive department branches, and employs over 100,000 government employees. There is nothing in Gaetz's career resume which makes him an adequate fit for the role. There's an old adage of opening your mouth and inserting your foot. In this case, Starbuck has inserted his entire keyboard and mouse. Mel doesn't understand how the DOJ is run. The Attorney-General doesn't go to court -- there are attorneys who do that. Gaetz will not be arguing in front of the SCOTUS; that role will be done by Dean John Sauer as Solicitor General. Todd Blanche will also be the Deputy AG, who will be running the day-to-day matters of the DOJ when it comes to prosecutions of people indicted for federal crimes. In normal times, Gaetz would be a lousy pick. But these ain't normal times. The selection of Gaetz is a signal - a big honkin' signal like an air raid siren - that acute reform is due the Department of Justice. People don't like wrecking balls so they'll say things like "I grade this pick an F!" But F them. If any agency needed a wrecking ball it's the DOJ. (OK, the State Department needs it worse) Gaetz' grade will be determined after his first two years on the job. |
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Post by str8shooter on Nov 17, 2024 13:14:45 GMT -6
When I became a head coach in high school athletics, I had never been a head coach before. I had never coached two of the sports I became head coach in. I coached for 38 years. I have an incredible winning record in all of those sports. Experience is great but there is a lot more to being a leader or in an executive position. When I was hired to sell jewelry in the mid-80s, I had never sold jewelry before. I became the top salesperson in the United States within 6 months. I had never sold anything before in my life.
Again, I don't like Gaetz. I personally don't trust him. Had he talked to me like he talked to McCarthy, I'd decked him. Still, I believe that the swamp needs to be cleaned and I think that he is someone who can do that.
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Post by captbudman on Nov 17, 2024 13:40:32 GMT -6
No Congressional seat belongs to any individual. The seats belong to the people, of which the majority have elected him to office. There's lots of angst in the uni-party over Gaetz's action in challenging how our government is run. Gaetz led to the ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, angering RINO establishment members. He's also been one of the leaders in questioning and investigating the Deep State corruption of the DOJ. The reason they fear Gaetz is that he's going to expose their corruption, including the coordination between the DOJ and the NY and GA persecutors who went after Trump, the J6 persecutions, protection of Hunter Biden, persecution of old ladies praying on streets, and targeting parents who are complaining at schoolboard meetings. There's an old adage of opening your mouth and inserting your foot. In this case, Starbuck has inserted his entire keyboard and mouse. Mel doesn't understand how the DOJ is run. The Attorney-General doesn't go to court -- there are attorneys who do that. Gaetz will not be arguing in front of the SCOTUS; that role will be done by Dean John Sauer as Solicitor General. Todd Blanche will also be the Deputy AG, who will be running the day-to-day matters of the DOJ when it comes to prosecutions of people indicted for federal crimes. In normal times, Gaetz would be a lousy pick. But these ain't normal times. The selection of Gaetz is a signal - a big honkin' signal like an air raid siren - that acute reform is due the Department of Justice. People don't like wrecking balls so they'll say things like "I grade this pick an F!" But F them. If any agency needed a wrecking ball it's the DOJ. (OK, the State Department needs it worse) Gaetz' grade will be determined after his first two years on the job. Well said, Brummer (and I also agree with str8shooter's post). The DOJ (and FBI) have become weaponized, corrupt and broken agencies. They need to be purged of political apparatchiks, downsized (we now have 90 separate federal law enforcement agencies!), and refocused on fighting crime, fighting foreign espionage inside America, focusing on FOREIGN terrorist threats (not targeting the peaceful Americans who are members of the opposition political party), and securing our border. The State Department, Defense Department, and three letter Deep State Intel agencies also need purging, downsizing, and reform. |
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Post by Starbuck on Nov 17, 2024 13:44:45 GMT -6
Moody, I would point out that in this thread some individuals have specifically asked me to provide a detailed explanation of some of the grades I assigned. Which I kindly and graciously accommodated. Rather than then dialoguing over my explanations, some choose to make snide and unproductive personal attacks. The logical conclusion is that they lack either the interest or the ability to do so. Personally, I refuse to stoop to personal invective and mudslinging. There is too much of that on the internet already and I have made the choice to do the opposite. If others object to that, so be it. I will stick to my standards. Respectfully (and I do respect your perspectives) that is not being "full of it". That is being full of principles and standards - which is actually what this grading exercise and conversation is all about. I find it very interesting - and predictably disappointing - that while folks openly admit that Trump made several mistakes in his appointments 8 years ago, they are openly hostile to any possibility that he is, with some picks, repeating that very thing this time around. That is nothing more than a display of closed minds - which is not healthy for the individual nor for the country. I do find your posts interesting, and most of the time I actually agree with you. I just don’t your braggart side. You know you do that. It’s just a personality trait that I struggle with. I also know what it’s like to be fresh meat on a issue. And being gang tackled. Sorry for piling on. I do enjoy your topics and your perspective. Appreciate your post, as always. We do have a legitimately differing perspective concerning my posts. I am not a braggart, nor a self-promoter. I am merely a truth teller, free of bias, free of agenda, free of partisanship. That is not an inflated statement in any way. It is simply intended to inform others of where I am coming from in my posts, and the standard to which I hold myself. That this is not understood nor desired by others is not my concern. My goal is to break through the nonsense which dominates forums such as this and promote healthy, intelligent, informed dialogue. Most do not share that same goal - but I post for those few who actually have the capacity and desire for quality conversation. And I fully realize that will inevitably lead to what you describe as "piling on". In fact, I anticipate it - without regret. It comes with the territory and is the price which must be paid in order to achieve the relatively few productive conversations in such a place as this. This thread is an example of that reality. All Americans of goodwill and good intent must be willing to evaluate the quality of public servants who should pursue the good for the nation. Some instead choose blind loyalty to a letter of the alphabet or a personality. I refuse. That isn't arrogance. It is wisdom. |
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Post by Billy John Davy on Nov 17, 2024 14:20:59 GMT -6
Now, to "wrap up" concerning Gabbard and Gaetz. Once I explain this last point, all fair minded individuals will understand and acknowledge why Trump is attempting to install them. Which government agencies unfairly and unjustly targeted and attacked Trump from the moment he won the 2016 election? Which government agencies did Obama and Biden unleash in a coup attempt against the incoming administration? Answer: the "Justice" Department and the alphabet soup of intelligence agencies. That is an established fact. That must be it. It certainly cant be his long standing campaign promise of cleaning the rot and corruption out of those agencies. You seem to infer there would be something nefarious about stopping the next BS investigation. Shutting the BS down is what Sessions should have done in 2017. deeply flawed is based on perspective, highly partisan is needed. Again, the history of EXTREMELY Partisan activity by DOJ and the IC require highly partisan people to repair the damage. Cleary unqualified is another statement based on perspective. and stopping the weaponization of Justice, or the corrupt use of IC wouldnt be "protecting Trump" it would be protecting America. You seem stuck on the old, outdated "qualification" manual. Get over it, its obsolete. There is a new manual and it includes stopping the extreme partisan shit from DOJ/IC |
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Post by Starbuck on Nov 17, 2024 17:27:11 GMT -6
In normal times, Gaetz would be a lousy pick. But these ain't normal times. The selection of Gaetz is a signal - a big honkin' signal like an air raid siren - that acute reform is due the Department of Justice. People don't like wrecking balls so they'll say things like "I grade this pick an F!" But F them. If any agency needed a wrecking ball it's the DOJ. (OK, the State Department needs it worse) Gaetz' grade will be determined after his first two years on the job. Well said, Brummer (and I also agree with str8shooter's post). The DOJ (and FBI) have become weaponized, corrupt and broken agencies. They need to be purged of political apparatchiks, downsized (we now have 90 separate federal law enforcement agencies!), and refocused on fighting crime, fighting foreign espionage inside America, focusing on FOREIGN terrorist threats (not targeting the peaceful Americans who are members of the opposition political party), and securing our border. The State Department, Defense Department, and three letter Deep State Intel agencies also need purging, downsizing, and reform. So the need of the "Justice" Department and intel agencies "to be purged of political apparatchiks" is best achieved by appointing partisan and unqualified political apparatchiks? Regrettably, that is the core of your position. I would prefer real reform - rather than simply copying the DEM playbook of the past 8 years. Those departments, for the good of the nation, need to be free from political gamesmanship. It is indeed ironic - as well as unpatriotic and hypocritical - for the very people who correctly identified and decried the politicization and weaponization of the government agencies via the appointment of corrupt garbagemen like Merrick Garland in order to support the political agenda of one man (Biden,) to now applaud loudly when one man (Trump) seeks to appoint unqualified partisan hacks such as Gaetz and Gabbard for exactly the same reason and in pursuit of exactly the same goal. Politicization and weaponization is equally corrupt and dangerous regardless of which president practices it. I require better. |
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Post by Billy John Davy on Nov 17, 2024 17:50:54 GMT -6
Well said, Brummer (and I also agree with str8shooter's post). The DOJ (and FBI) have become weaponized, corrupt and broken agencies. They need to be purged of political apparatchiks, downsized (we now have 90 separate federal law enforcement agencies!), and refocused on fighting crime, fighting foreign espionage inside America, focusing on FOREIGN terrorist threats (not targeting the peaceful Americans who are members of the opposition political party), and securing our border. The State Department, Defense Department, and three letter Deep State Intel agencies also need purging, downsizing, and reform. So the need of the "Justice" Department and intel agencies "to be purged of political apparatchiks" is best achieved by appointing partisan and unqualified political apparatchiks? Regrettably, that is the core of your position. I would prefer real reform - rather than simply copying the DEM playbook of the past 8 years. Those departments, for the good of the nation, need to be free from political gamesmanship. It is indeed ironic - as well as unpatriotic and hypocritical - for the very people who correctly identified and decried the politicization and weaponization of the government agencies via the appointment of corrupt garbagemen like Merrick Garland in order to support the political agenda of one man (Biden,) to now applaud loudly when one man (Trump) seeks to appoint unqualified partisan hacks such as Gaetz and Gabbard for exactly the same reason and in pursuit of exactly the same goal. Politicization and weaponization is equally corrupt and dangerous regardless of which president practices it. I require better. you're not gonna beleive this, but your premise is flawed, probably fatally flawed. you seem to think Trump's new DOJ will do what Sundowner's did, target his politial enemies. Trump /Gaetz wont be going after some potential 2028 candidate, they will be going after those in Justice and IC who have alread commited wrongs against America and the Constitution based on their abuse of authority powers. |
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