BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)

Subject: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 17 Sep 15 - 09:51 PM

Does the rest of the world think that Trump being taken seriously is as ridiculous as I do?

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 17 Sep 15 - 10:19 PM

I can only speak for myself, but I suspect the rest of the world would answer yes.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 12:47 AM

There are some distressing issues festering in the US, and there are some Americans who have opinions that are truly frightening to me. Donald Trump seems to appeal to these people. Even though he might not be so right-wing as they are, there's something about Trump that appeals to the far right, even to White Nationalists. Maybe it's good to get that sort of thinking out in the open, so it can be refuted.

I heard an excellent interview on the NPR Fresh Air (click) program last week. Terri Gross was off duty last week, so Dave Davies did the interview of Evan Osnos. Osnos did an article in the New Yorker (click) Magazine titled "The Fearful and the Frustrated: Donald Trump's nationalist coalition takes shape—for now." Osnos says Trump's success has given right-wing extremists permission to express thinking that would have gotten them fired from their jobs in past years.

Maybe it's good that we know what these people are thinking, scary though it may be. I'm guessing that Trump's support is no more than twenty percent of the electorate - but he does seem to have the plurality among the Republican candidates. If Trump wins the nomination, I'm sure there's no way he can win the 2016 election.

...or so I hope.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 12:52 AM

I fear that he doesn't seem ridiculous to some because at least he's white.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 01:34 AM

Trumps to the 'right of me', Clintons to the 'left'.....shit! We're doomed!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Kampervan
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 02:05 AM

I'm someone who doesn't live in the USA and has only a minimal understanding of the political situation over there.

However, have seen some of the broadcasts featuring Mr Trump and his fellow candidates, I was tempted to ask exactly what it was about him that some voters are, apparently, drawn to.

Because from where I'm sitting, it's not obvious. Being a successful businessman and making a lot of money do not, in themselves. make a good politician.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 02:17 AM

There are bottom-dwellers all over the world. We in the US just happen to currently have a bottom feeder.

That's my take on it.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Kampervan
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 02:25 AM

In which case might it be fair to say that having Mr Trump as a candidate doesn't make the USA a laughing stock.

However, if he was to be elected then that might be different?

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 03:44 AM

Methinks Trump is the laughing matter. But time will tell.

Who can trump him? Is there an ace in the pack?

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 03:51 AM

He's a fart (see what I did there?). But a very dangerous fart.
That's this non-American's view.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 04:27 AM

With Trump to the right of you and Clinton to the left, you've shown once and for all that all the people can be right all of the time.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: akenaton
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 04:56 AM

Ther are those in the UK Labour Party who think having a socialist as leader will make them a laughing stock.

It seems to me that Mr Trump is a handy whipping boy for the republicans, his remarks appal most people here, but the US public appear to treat them as they are presented .....as bad taste jokes.
Something like an American Rik Mayall.

Just to drift a little is it true that the Democrat candidate Mr Sanders supported all of America's involvement in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.?
If so why is he any different from Hillary the Hawk?
As Ali G used to say..."is it 'cos I is black"?

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 05:57 AM

No, Trump as a person is not the problem; Europe has its own share of strangely acting populists. Rather, the image of US politics in Europe is deep down in the cellar because of news like the Snowden revelations. We get the impression that presidents have immense personal power but are not "in charge". In the end, the USA may blow up the world and nobody be responsible.

The risk is much smaller in systems where leaders are more embedded in their parties and parliamentary factions. See the recent events in Australia.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 08:27 AM

And watch October 19, 2015 in Canada. The neocon bastard at the helm is going to be fired by the Canadian people.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 09:02 AM

Toss 'em all out and start fresh. Trump is a distraction from the real problems facing the US. So are the others, including Clinton. Sanders isn't so bad in that regard; at least he tries to address the issues, as, to a lesser extent, does Carson.

Trump is politics as (bad) theater.

But the election here if quite distant and there's many a slip twixt cup and lip.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 09:10 AM

To a certain extent, yes, but there are few, if any, countries without their political nutters and
it doesn't seem as though this particular one could be electable.(I hope).

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Stu
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 09:33 AM

Not a laughing stock, but more terrifying that he's the frontrunner at any stage. Truth is, in the so-called 'civilised' western world we're all going backwards and as the US does everything bigger it's doing it via Trump and the GOP. We're not far behind in the UK and Europe, as we treat refugees like animals and batten down the hatches for the coming storm.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 09:49 AM

I'd love to have recordings of the phone calls in the polls that gave Trump those numbers. Remember, Carson & Fiorina also are high in the polls, even though none of the 3 have ANY experience in politics. These polls are expressions of frustration among right-wingers who see the flaws and deceptions in the more 'experienced' candidates.

It will be interesting to see who actually gets real votes in the primaries.


Also remember that about 70% of Republicans are NOT in favor of Trump & his behavior.
Also remember that Barry Goldwater won only 6 states in 1964. Trump could beat that record.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 10:34 AM

Kampervan (upthread) said, in part:

Being a successful businessman and making a lot of money
do not, in themselves. make a good politician.

On NPR I heard an analysis of Trump's "qualifications". As
I recall, the highlights of the analysis included the following:

Number one that I can recall is that he got his money start
the easy way: He inherited forty million dollars!
That was maybe 30 years ago, maybe longer.

He used that inherited windfall in various businesses.
His corporations have filed bankruptcy seventeen times
(I believe it was)over the years in his unfocused set
of business operations.

The AVERAGE stock investor, investing $40 million in a general diversified stock portfolio, just letting the stock market do its thing, riding along with the general growth of market averages, could expect to grow his holdings' value something like 9% per year, compounded. That doesn't require an investment superstar, nor a talented business executive; just an ordinary passive buy-and-hold stockholder, exercising ordinary prudence.

Trump's enterprises have indeed increased their value and made
him a richer man, but the degree of growth doesn't even come
close to what an average stock investor would have realized by maintaining a passive diversified stock position.

In my book, that doesn't make him "a successful businessman."
Even if it did, Kampervan's comment is true, although an
understatement.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 12:39 PM

After Bush, nothing surprises us. Those whom the gods would destroy they first make mad.

But it's a bit frightening watching it happen.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 12:42 PM

I think of Clinton as right of center for a Democrat here...

And McGrath, that is my precise fear. And a Trek reference.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 12:43 PM

don't think anybodys actually laughing. maybe at the wig. perhaps if he had a revolving bowtie and a nose that lit up.....but then he'd lose all credibility.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 02:40 PM

..as far as the politics in America, or even on Mudcat,I think this says it ALL!!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 03:21 PM

I think Trump has been successful so far by expressing all the bigotries of the most bigoted people of America. They may sometimes be conflicting bigotries, but the bigots aren't smart enough to know that. All they care about is that Trump expressed their pet bigotry - women, immigrants, people of color, overseas manufacturing. He tells the people what they want to hear, whether or not it makes sense.
Since candidates are selected more-or-less by plurality vote, a person can get himself nominated with far less than half of the vote of his/her party. And that's the game Trump is playing, and he's playing it very well.
I'd be happy with either of the Democratic frontrunners, but many of the Republican candidates scare me.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 03:28 PM

Joe Offer: "...I'd be happy with either of the Democratic frontrunners.."

Hillary???? Come on Joe.

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 07:11 PM

This is the country that elected Reagan, for crissake. Twice.

NOBODY is any more of an internationally embarrassing idiot than that.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 07:38 PM

Jack, "If you knew Donald like I know Donald, oh, oh, oh...."
The Donald makes one yearn for The Ronald.

For that mater, the whole slate of Republican candidates makes Reagan look pretty good in retrospect.

Yes, GfS, I know the extreme right has been waging a campaign against Hillary for the last ten years or more. Even some American liberals are starting to believe the Benghazi and email "scandal" propaganda, but I don't believe any of it. She's an intelligent woman, and what she says makes sense to me.

And in general, I don't tend to believe that our leaders are the demons that the propaganda makes them out to be.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 08:29 PM

Depends which leaders you're talking about. Reagan and Dubya caused more misery in this world that any manifestation of Satan I've ever come across.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Sep 15 - 11:20 PM

I have a personal code that doesn't allow me to demonize anybody. My head tells me that nobody can be THAT bad, especially somebody that's smart enough to get himself to national office in a civilized country.

Trump, Reagan, and Dubya present a real challenge to my code. I find it hard to think much good of any of those three. But I keep trying.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: olddude
Date: 19 Sep 15 - 01:01 AM

I hear he had his ancestry dna done. It came back unknown primate

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 19 Sep 15 - 02:29 AM

Well, OK~~~~~

GfS

P.S. Or is that the 'so-called liberals' take on it?
Actually, it's a lot worse...but it involves a WHOLE lot of people...both parties!<--- Not a 'right's position.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: akenaton
Date: 19 Sep 15 - 05:59 AM

"Yes, GfS, I know the extreme right has been waging a campaign against Hillary for the last ten years or more. Even some American liberals are starting to believe the Benghazi and email "scandal" propaganda, but I don't believe any of it. She's an intelligent woman, and what she says makes sense to me."

These points may be debatable Joe, but Mrs Clinton was the driving force in the removal from power and subsequent murder of Col Gaddafi.
Arguably the detonator for the ISIL explosion.

That did not make good sense, it would be difficult to find any informed person who now thinks Gaddafi's removal was a good idea. Her chortling antics in response to Gaddafi's murder said everything about Mrs Clinton's personal character.

President Obama's biggest mistake in taking office, was to allow the Clintons within one hundred miles of his administration.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: akenaton
Date: 19 Sep 15 - 07:10 AM

The people who killed Gaddafi, with the assistance of France, the UK and ultimately the US lobbied by Mrs Clinton, are the same people who behead bound prisoners and burn captured pilots alive in a cage.

Why are we not supporting Assad against this menace?
If we do not Putin will be forced to, then we ALL START PRAYING TO GOD, Even the atheists.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 19 Sep 15 - 12:01 PM

Tell us what you really think of Hillary, akenaton! You've been reading too many newspapers in the grocery store checkout line. Those headlines area all a combination of fiction and wishful thinking on the behalf of the cohort of yellow journalism practitioners.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: GUEST,JTS.
Date: 19 Sep 15 - 01:07 PM

Certainly Trump is a laughingstock. I don't respect him as a businessman. But he is a very good entertainer. People like the spectacle.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: akenaton
Date: 20 Sep 15 - 05:58 AM

Guest...I don't read newspapers, or watch US tv. I rarely watch UK tv any longer.
I get most of my information from internet sources, and I was responding to Joe's assertion that Mrs Clinton is a "sensible" person.

She is a dangerous, powerful and unscrupulous politician....not in the mould of President Obama, more in the mould of our own dearly loved Mr Blair.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 20 Sep 15 - 09:54 AM

I agree with you, Ake.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Sep 15 - 01:14 PM

According to Google, Bernie Sanders did not vote to oppose the war in Afghanistan...he voted against the war in Iraq, but voted for the funding for that war. Which, in a way, makes sense. If the government is going to send its military into an ill-conceived and impulsive war, at least vote to buy them guns and bullets with which to defend themselves, and hope for the best. Sanders was opposed to the intervention in Libya.

Donald Trump is making a mockery of the political process by trying to turn it into some sort of reality TV show. During the last Republican debate, he at times looked like someone who, without letting on, was trying to absorb the answers of the other candidates in order to gauge what he should think about those issues. He is woefully misinformed on anything substantive, and on those issues with which he has a fundamental grasp, his solution is simplistic and inadequate. Illegal immigrants? Build a wall. What to do with the purported 11 million undocumented immigrants already here? Send 'em back. (Really? ..how do you go about rounding up 11 million people?).. Jobs? He's going to create 'em by bringing back corporations to the US (by cutting taxes, apparently). Obamacare? Repeal it (and do what with the millions of Americans who are enrolled in it?). Trump speaks in 2 second soundbites that pander to those voters whose attention spans are just that long, but when it comes to details, well...supposedly he would populate his cabinet with people who would handle all the messy complications of implementing those policies.

People love to hear, "It's gonna be great", as the solution to any problem that arises, but for those who wonder How is it gonna be great, Trump offers no hope for a legitimate answer.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: akenaton
Date: 20 Sep 15 - 01:35 PM

" Donald Trump is making a mockery of the political process by trying to turn it into some sort of reality TV show"

Every US election for the past few decades has been exactly that.

.....but this one is more like a circus....of horrors.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: akenaton
Date: 20 Sep 15 - 01:36 PM

Thanks #

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 20 Sep 15 - 01:58 PM

"Every US election for the past few decades has been exactly that.

.....but this one is more like a circus....of horrors."

Bingo!

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: akenaton
Date: 20 Sep 15 - 02:04 PM

See what I mean#.....Even good friends can agree sometimes! :0)

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 Sep 15 - 05:39 PM

no of course not.........

(snigger. snigger.......ho! Ho! HO! HO!HO!)

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 21 Sep 15 - 02:25 AM

Has anyone heard what Fart plans to do about club which supports the clowns who contrive to shoot to death 11.000 of their fellow citizens every year?

That will be interesting, methinks. Even more interesting than the plan to send illegals back where they came from. And just as realistic.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Sep 15 - 03:32 AM

As a country - yes
As individuals - no

I am reminded of when George W got in when every actual American I knew held up their hands in horror and said "it wasn't me".

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 21 Sep 15 - 07:49 AM

'I am reminded of when George W got in when every actual American I knew held up their hands in horror and said "it wasn't me".'

Similar thing here in Canada when the Conservatives under Harper got it. I concluded from that that about half my friends were liars.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: keberoxu
Date: 09 Nov 16 - 01:17 PM

Got our answer now, I guess.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 Nov 16 - 01:21 PM

As the saying goes, if you didn't laugh, you'd cry.

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 09 Nov 16 - 01:40 PM

.. all together now.. singalong....

"Hillary Clinton packed her bags
And said goodbye to the White House
Off she went with a trumpety-trump
Trump, trump, trump".....

It's not enough to be vilifying Trump.. he's an easy target...

The main serious problem is, whatever possessed the Democrats to select Clinton in the first place...!!!??? 😣



If she'd scraped a victory, at best the reaction might have been..

"oh well, at least she's not as shit as Trump...?????"

Subject: RE: BS: Are we (USA) a laughingstock? (via Trump)
From: keberoxu
Date: 09 Nov 16 - 01:45 PM

Well, I'll go so far as to say that I don't think Mrs. Clinton is a laughingstock, or a laughing matter. Made of stern stuff, whatever you think of her, and she isn't going away quietly if she goes away at all, which I suspect she won't.

I might have to look harder at, what's his name? Pence? Because a target as easy as the declared winner of this election, well, he may be an easy target, but his fall will be a hard one. He can run, but he can't hide.