Pine Barrens Mafia Posted July 13, 2018 Posted July 13, 2018 28 minutes ago, TakeYouToTasker said: So, Democrats are insisting that the President shouldn't honor his Constitutional mandates, such as conducting diplomacy with foreign heads of state, or it's a Constitutional crisis? Excellent pepe usage. 7/10
B-Man Posted July 13, 2018 Posted July 13, 2018 ABOUT THAT “GIANT TRUMP BABY BALLOON” Photo that shows how the giant balloon towers over the London skyline: .
Dante Posted July 14, 2018 Posted July 14, 2018 Trump killing it. I never really expected much he was just better than the rest of the frauds. Never imagined he would get or at least try to get this much done. Pissed off all the dipshites over here and now Europe. Couldn't be better.
Doc Brown Posted July 14, 2018 Posted July 14, 2018 On 7/12/2018 at 12:34 PM, B-Man said: Pretty much all the press coverage of the NATO summit, consisting mostly of hand-wringing and Trump-bashing, is ignorant and partisan. President Trump is standing up for American security and American taxpayers, as he promised to do. He could do it more effectively if nearly the entire American establishment were not arrayed against him and, implicitly, on the side of the Putin regime. Is NATO antiquated? Absolutely. Should other countries be paying more? Yes. My problem with Trump is he always has to be a dick about it. There's a more diplomatic way of doing things that doesn't make you look like a prick to the rest of the world and half the people here. Also, if you're going to call out another country publicly, get your damn facts straight. Like telling reporters that Germany gets 60 to 70% of their energy consumption from Russia when it's really closer to 20%. 1
3rdnlng Posted July 14, 2018 Posted July 14, 2018 1 minute ago, Doc Brown said: Is NATO antiquated? Absolutely. Should other countries be paying more? Yes. My problem with Trump is he always has to be a dick about it. There's a more diplomatic way of doing things that doesn't make you look like a prick to the rest of the world and half the people here. Also, if you're going to call out another country publicly, get your damn facts straight. Like telling reporters that Germany gets 60 to 70% of their energy consumption from Russia when it's really closer to 20%. That more diplomatic way hasn't done jackshit now has it? BTW, Putin is trying to pry Germany away from NATO with that direct pipeline. We basically pay for the defense of Europe to protect them from the East. Do you really think they should be giving Russia billions under those circumstances?
PromoTheRobot Posted July 14, 2018 Posted July 14, 2018 (edited) S**t, meet fan. It's happening. Edited July 14, 2018 by PromoTheRobot 1
Doc Brown Posted July 14, 2018 Posted July 14, 2018 2 hours ago, 3rdnlng said: That more diplomatic way hasn't done jackshit now has it? BTW, Putin is trying to pry Germany away from NATO with that direct pipeline. We basically pay for the defense of Europe to protect them from the East. Do you really think they should be giving Russia billions under those circumstances? Fine. Bring it up privately to Merkel. Why make up numbers and chastise Germany publicly? It makes you look like a liar and a bully making you even more unpopular in these European countries. Now the public pressure from their constituents not to cave to Trump makes it more unlikely they'll increase their defense spending. It's just counter productive and a dumb way of addressing his grievances.
Deranged Rhino Posted July 14, 2018 Posted July 14, 2018 3 hours ago, Doc Brown said: Is NATO antiquated? Absolutely. Should other countries be paying more? Yes. My problem with Trump is he always has to be a dick about it. There's a more diplomatic way of doing things that doesn't make you look like a prick to the rest of the world and half the people here. Also, if you're going to call out another country publicly, get your damn facts straight. Like telling reporters that Germany gets 60 to 70% of their energy consumption from Russia when it's really closer to 20%. I completely understand this critique of Trump and his approach. I share much of it's sentiment - everything he's doing seemingly would be easier for Trump if he was just slightly less Trump. Not all the way, just a shade. So I get it, I do. And it's reasonable. The reality though is that no matter what approach Trump took, he'd be every bit the target of scorn and ridicule that he is now. Because ultimately it's not about Trump, it's about what he's accomplishing and the desire to thwart it. Not just politically and domestically, he's taking giant swings at making major changes diplomatically and geopolitically - swings that if they work right could change the world for the better in under a generation. It's a gambit, for sure, but because of what he's aiming for he's a threat, and thus would be mocked/ridiculed no matter what his tone. So I think Trump figures, !@#$ it. Why hold back if it's never going to be a fair playing field in terms of media messaging? Being something he's not would only help his opponents by hobbling his ability to connect with his base (for better and worse). And at the end of the day, the biggest (valid) complaint about Trump is that he sometimes says mean/uncouth things... which is valid but ultimately pretty insignificant if his swings work. That's the rub. We'll find out.
Doc Brown Posted July 14, 2018 Posted July 14, 2018 1 hour ago, Deranged Rhino said: I completely understand this critique of Trump and his approach. I share much of it's sentiment - everything he's doing seemingly would be easier for Trump if he was just slightly less Trump. Not all the way, just a shade. So I get it, I do. And it's reasonable. The reality though is that no matter what approach Trump took, he'd be every bit the target of scorn and ridicule that he is now. Because ultimately it's not about Trump, it's about what he's accomplishing and the desire to thwart it. Not just politically and domestically, he's taking giant swings at making major changes diplomatically and geopolitically - swings that if they work right could change the world for the better in under a generation. It's a gambit, for sure, but because of what he's aiming for he's a threat, and thus would be mocked/ridiculed no matter what his tone. So I think Trump figures, !@#$ it. Why hold back if it's never going to be a fair playing field in terms of media messaging? Being something he's not would only help his opponents by hobbling his ability to connect with his base (for better and worse). And at the end of the day, the biggest (valid) complaint about Trump is that he sometimes says mean/uncouth things... which is valid but ultimately pretty insignificant if his swings work. That's the rub. We'll find out. I don't think that's a smart strategy though. Your mind shouldn't be on appealing to your base when you're engaging in diplomacy with other countries, but doing what you feel is best for your country. I appreciate that Trump is the first president to ever really address the problem of the US tax payer basically subsidizing European welfare states by providing more than our fair share of defense spending as it relates to NATO. I'd love to decrease our defense spending and work on either start paying off the deficit and/or using that money for social domestic programs. European countries need to step up their defense spending though. I just feel like he's blowing his opportunity though as the best diplomatic deals are done behind closed doors with a sledgehammer. Publicly chastising countries and telling easily provable lies puts more public pressure on these European leaders to not cave to Trump because the majority of their constituents disapprove of Trump. That's who they ultimately answer too. I think these leaders aren't going to do a damn thing and wait until Trump isn't president anymore at this point. 1
3rdnlng Posted July 14, 2018 Posted July 14, 2018 7 hours ago, Doc Brown said: Fine. Bring it up privately to Merkel. Why make up numbers and chastise Germany publicly? It makes you look like a liar and a bully making you even more unpopular in these European countries. Now the public pressure from their constituents not to cave to Trump makes it more unlikely they'll increase their defense spending. It's just counter productive and a dumb way of addressing his grievances. Maybe you want to check out this article. Trump was right. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5942109/Donald-Trump-RIGHT-Germany-imports-70-cent-gas-Russia.html e-mail 3.9kshares 1.5k View comments Donald Trump's claim that Germany imports 70 per cent of its gas from Russia at a fiery Nato summit today is correct - and the country will soon receive even more. The EU's statistics agency, Eurostat, says that Russia is responsible for up to 75% of Germany's total gas imports. And experts say that figure could dramatically increase after a new pipeline between Russia and Germany opens in two years time. Germany already imports 55 billion cubic meters of gas from Russia via the Nord Stream pipeline and will pump another 55 billion cubic meters through the new Nord Stream 2 network.
outsidethebox Posted July 14, 2018 Posted July 14, 2018 It's refreshingt to see a president who actually cares about this country and it's citizen's. The left is too busy playing party politics to see what he has been doing to improve OUR country!!!!
Tiberius Posted July 14, 2018 Posted July 14, 2018 1 minute ago, westside said: It's refreshingt to see a president who actually cares about this country and it's citizen's. The left is too busy playing party politics to see what he has been doing to improve OUR country!!!! I bet Trump ends up in exile in Russia.
outsidethebox Posted July 14, 2018 Posted July 14, 2018 1 minute ago, Tiberius said: I bet Trump ends up in exile in Russia. I bet in 10 years, You're still living in your mom's basement. 3
Tiberius Posted July 14, 2018 Posted July 14, 2018 1 minute ago, westside said: I bet in 10 years, You're still living in your mom's basement. Hell ya! Watching me some old Batman reruns! Pass me a beer! 3
Wacka Posted July 14, 2018 Posted July 14, 2018 50 minutes ago, Tiberius said: Hell ya! Watching me some old Batman reruns! Pass me a beer! And pleasuring yourself to a 95 year-old Catwoman, not the sexy 30-year old on the TV show. 1
Doc Brown Posted July 14, 2018 Posted July 14, 2018 3 hours ago, 3rdnlng said: Maybe you want to check out this article. Trump was right. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5942109/Donald-Trump-RIGHT-Germany-imports-70-cent-gas-Russia.html e-mail 3.9kshares 1.5k View comments Donald Trump's claim that Germany imports 70 per cent of its gas from Russia at a fiery Nato summit today is correct - and the country will soon receive even more. The EU's statistics agency, Eurostat, says that Russia is responsible for up to 75% of Germany's total gas imports. And experts say that figure could dramatically increase after a new pipeline between Russia and Germany opens in two years time. Germany already imports 55 billion cubic meters of gas from Russia via the Nord Stream pipeline and will pump another 55 billion cubic meters through the new Nord Stream 2 network. He said energy According AG Energiebilanzen, a Germany energy-research group, 59% of Germany's energy consumption comes from oil and gas, with the other 41% coming from coal, renewable sources, and nuclear power. That puts roughly 20% of Germany's energy mix coming from Russian oil and gas, a high percentage but certainly short of the 60% to 70% that Trump suggested.
3rdnlng Posted July 14, 2018 Posted July 14, 2018 5 minutes ago, Doc Brown said: He said energy According AG Energiebilanzen, a Germany energy-research group, 59% of Germany's energy consumption comes from oil and gas, with the other 41% coming from coal, renewable sources, and nuclear power. That puts roughly 20% of Germany's energy mix coming from Russian oil and gas, a high percentage but certainly short of the 60% to 70% that Trump suggested. Germany is going to shutter its nuclear industry by 2022 and is working on eliminating coal. Its only options will be renewables and gas & oil in the near future. Whether Trump was technically correct at this exact point in time or if he misspoke by not including oil in his original statement, his remarks are/will be true. Now, for practical reasons do you think it is wise for a NATO nation to have nearly all of its energy needs supplied by Russia?
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