US General Election 2016

{{ I hope you are right Dave. But I've never heard of a 'good trade war' as Trump seems to think them. And he just doubled the tariffs on China. Meanwhile Russia just dumped over 80% of its US debt. If China did the same thing it would get very rocky indeed. }}

As I think I said before, I'm expecting it to get worse before it gets better. I suppose that decodes to some people as "we can take it."

{{I think this vid rather neatly sums up Fox New current schizophrenia. Its hard to believe this is not two rival news channels, but the same one! }}

I believe Fox News keeps Shep Smith around so they can continue to use "Fair and Balanced".

{{I suspect it is that cynical Halfy sadly, seeing as they bung Shep on daytimes and give Hannity's mad ramblings the prime time slot- which is hardly fair or balanced come to think about it!}}

{{And the tit-for-tat on trade goes on.

'The Chinese government said Friday that it would impose duties of 25%, 20%, 10% and 5% on the products if the Trump administration follows through on threats to tax $200 billion worth of Chinese goods.
"In violation of the bilateral consensus reached after multiple rounds of negotiations, the United States has again unilaterally escalated trade frictions," the Chinese State Council Tariff Commission said in its statement on Friday.
China listed 5,207 US products that it would target in an effort to "safeguard its own legitimate interests."
Products in line for tariffs include meat, coffee, nuts, alcoholic drinks, minerals, chemicals, leather products, wood products, machinery, furniture and auto parts.'

Hope those effected can continue to 'take it'! }}}

{{ There is a question to which we might get an answer before to long- how far will Trump go against US allies?
He has already imposed sanctions on them, now with Trump reinstating all 'and more' sanctions on Iran than the US had previous to the Iran deal, and with this warning to individuals who continue to deal with Iran that they will face- "severe consequences" and to business and countries he said -

"I am pleased that many international firms have already announced their intent to leave the Iranian market, and several countries have indicated that they will reduce or end imports of Iranian crude oil," the president said in a statement.
"We urge all nations to take such steps to make clear that the Iranian regime faces a choice: either change its threatening, destabilising behaviour and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation."

However the Eu have responded in a joint statement restating their position the deal stands with Iran, its working, all verification indicates it is working-

"We deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the US....
The JCPOA is working and delivering on its goal, namely to ensure that the Iranian programme remains exclusively peaceful, as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 11 consecutive reports. It is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, crucial for the security of Europe, the region, and the entire world. We expect Iran to continue to fully implement all its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA.
The lifting of nuclear-related sanctions is an essential part of the deal – it aims at having a positive impact not only on trade and economic relations with Iran, but most importantly on the lives of the Iranian people."

But it then goes on to respond to Trumps threats-

"We are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran, in accordance with EU law and with UN Security Council resolution 2231. This is why the European Union’s updated Blocking Statute enters into force on 7 August to protect EU companies doing legitimate business with Iran from the impact of US extra-territorial sanctions."

So seem balls back in Trumps court- will the US sanction in some fashion EU companies who continue to deal with Iran? How will Trump counter the EU's financial protection of those companies? Further punitive financial measures against allies?

Trump is putting the US on a collision course with its allies on this and its hard to see where it will end up. }}

{{ I see Fox are trying to play down the Ohio results (so far)- the Republican has declared a win though all the votes are not counted yet. And Fox are saying for the Dems close is not close enough- but I reckon a lot of Republicans must be looking over their shoulder.
In UK terms Ohio was a 'safe seat'- firmly Republican since 83. The last two Presidential election saw it go 12 points in favour of republicans and 11 for Trump.
Even if it turns out the Republican has held it its down to 1 point difference. That's a swing of 10 points to the Democrats in a Republican safe seat. If that sort of swing is replicated in tighter areas with much narrower margins it will be a bad set of mid-terms for Republicans. }}

I think you may be following this more closely than most American, Petty. And I say that with respect.

{{ Im just nosey!

Watching Pences speech launching Trumps space force- hows this for a cheery start-

'As Commander in Chief President Trumps highest priority is the safety an security of the American people. And while too often previous Administrations all but neglected te growing security threats emerging in space, President Trump stated clearly and forceably that space is, in his words, 'A war fighting domain just like land and air and sea. And just as it has in the past America will meet these emerging threats on the new battlefield.'

Not exactly the high ideals underpinning the foundation of Star Trek's Federation is it? (I think he got the Klingon version ) Not quite sure who rumps off to fight up there either!}}}

{{{  edit add- from end of Pences speech- "the next generation of Americans to confront the emerging threats in the boundless expanse of space will be wearing the uniform of the United States of America."


So it is Aliens they want to go fight then?!!   }}}

{{Latest tweets from Trump-

just met Sirian Ambass, lovely alien, much better than those Greys, way nicer skin tones

#not racist! everyone agrees with me all Greys are rapist and drug smugglers who want to anally probe our women!!


ok I may have made those up- but its only a matter of time now!! }}

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/10/omarosa-trump-book-the-apprentice-memoir

Bette Midler:

https://twitter.com/BetteMidler/status/1034144427340652544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw?ftag=MSF0951a18

#trump only kept the WH flag st 1/2 mast in #McCain’s honor for one day. What a Petty Tyrant.

Making
Attorneys
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Arrested

Massive
Arsehole
Gets
Angry

Mediocre
American
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Awful

Dear oh dear, we are in a mess aren't we...………
World gone crazy ? when was it ever sane. You expect honour & decency, honesty, truth ? They crucified a man for that. Anyone who is loved & praised is running on a knifes edge for sooner or later some passionate person will crawl out the cesspit & take a healthy pot shot. Once you get a reptile in your camp that's IT. It dominates & dominates to its own ends.

{{Hi Blue! I was starting to think youd been lost under a paper pile at Admin Tower!!! }}

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bob-woodwards-new-book-reveals-a-nervous-breakdown-of-trumps-presidency/2018/09/04/b27a389e-ac60-11e8-a8d7-0f63ab8b1370_story.html?utm_term=.c1f991c1222d

Read the entire article, if even a small proportion of this is true...

Oh dandy, I was jonesing for another Fire and Fury.  The best thing about Trump is you never run out of new material, he's a veritable fountain of eye-watering nonsense.

{{{Yup if even a tiny fraction of that is true its pretty worrying! Kelly has already come out mind you saying he never said what he is quoted as saying but then he would have to deny it as if he did say those things its a time to walk moment (or get fired), and the author this time out from what I can tell has a bit of genuine cred in US political circles rather than being a disgruntled ex-Trump employee }}

{{The BBC's take on the credibility of the books author- }}

It would be hard to find a journalist with greater credentials. After all, his investigations with Washington Post colleague Carl Bernstein helped bring down Richard Nixon and he has written books on many leaders, including George W Bush and Barack Obama.
He is certainly one of the most respected and well-informed political analysts.
The BBC's North America reporter Anthony Zurcher says that Woodward has unrivalled access to the corridors of power, and the general Washington consensus is that it is better to talk to him than not, since colleagues - and enemies - are certainly giving him their side of the story.
Back in 2013, Mr Trump had responded to a row between Woodward and the Obama administration with a tweet saying: "Only the Obama WH can get away with attacking Bob Woodward."

Woodward's book on the Bush administration's entry into Afghanistan and Iraq (The Commanders) was more favorable to Bush than I expected, as harsh on Rumsfeld as I had hoped. It seemed mainly to have been channeled through Colin Powell's eyes.

There's no need to mention his credentials over here, he's a legend.