Dem to introduce 'Stable Genius Act' requiring presidential candidates to take mental exam Well this is top quality trolling!
That's my representative! In other news, Fusion GPS testified extensively on what they knew linking Trump and Russia - this is a pretty good unpacking of it. Unrolled thread from @HoarseWisperer
It's OK, the Trump apologists have told us, "He's just doing what he said he would do," so it's OK. I'm not sure I remember the dealing with Russians, insecure email servers, promoting fascism and white supremacy, appointing obviously unqualified people, destroying national parks and alienating traditional allies being part of his campaign promises, but hey, neither were employing your own family, playing golf so incredibly much or getting people talking about the 25th so much. Among all the other stuff we could mention. The sad thing for me is that there are people on all political sides that you can respect. People who try to serve their country, not themselves. I disagree completely with American Republicans on almost everything, but I can sometimes appreciate where they are coming from. But this isn't it. This is a power grab by a Putinesque President who doesn't care for process or precedent or truth. Watching some Republicans distort themselves to support him is awful because it speaks of an inflexible commitment to a label that continues despite the obvious damage that Trump is doing.
Re fake news, and the American ambassador to Holland, previously being called out for lying... Dutch journalists go global by 'roasting' new US ambassador - DutchNews.nl They're still at it!
Obama didn't sell off US embassy - and other Trump myths busted Well isn't this fun, all the reasons trump have for not visiting the UK arnt true.
I've never heard the word... well... can't say it on MAP, but I've never heard that word uttered so often on CNN as I have this past news cycle. I don't think I can even post links to what Trump recently said about African and Latin American nations.
The story behind the Grosvenor Square embassy lease is interesting: londinoupolis: Why the Americans don’t own their London Embassy!
The US was my favourite country for such a long time. But the last couple of years have seen it become a nation of extreme views (on both sides of the political spectrum) that I'm quite happy never to visit ever again. Except for Ero-Sennin's crisco parties. Those things are lit.
Apparently he's cancelled his state visit to the UK because there#s fears he "wouldn't be made to feel welcome" which makes me feel a little bit happy at least. I assume its not on American mainstream news anywhere though but I haven't looked. I am curious sometimes whether the general spread of America is aware just how much of a terrifying joke its seen as from the outside, or whether its known, but the "they just can't handle us, USA, USA, USA" response is the standard one. Also looking at just how many celebrities are coming out about nominations next election, I am getting increasingly concerned this might not be an isolated splotch in history. More so given I don't believe in the democrats to embrace a true good alternative that people would vote for given the Clinton mess up.
And liberal's get called snowflakes. Dear god no. That woman has absolutely no quality control function on ideas at all. She'd make Deepak Chopra science advisor or something. I mean...probably no worse than Trump but you don't show the error of voting in a reality TV idiot by voting in a chat show idiot the next time. There should be a minimum of something like 10 years of public service employment (council, senate, even being a LEO, paramedic or emergency service operative would be a better foundation than "is famous") before someone should even be considered for running for office.
Yeah my thoughts on Oprah for president are similar to Spitfire's. I have no data nor opinion on her intelligence (I haven't followed her stuff at all), but I don't think voting in another president with no political experience at all is a good idea.
When we're reduced to voting for celebrities as leader, somethings gone terribly wrong with our culture and our educational systems.
something has gone terribly wrong with our world. full stop. it's really scary. i feel we're on the precipice of something horrific.
Was what made me comment about it. I don't know anything about Oprah other than that she's a talk show host and in the Forbes rich list and stands out for being a black person in it. That's literally all of my knowledge about her. Smitfire covered it pretty well though, I don't want more celebrities being voted to such a powerful platform. I know Oprah has talked about black rights and women's rights so I guess she'd be progressive in those, but what does she understand about tax reform? diplomacy with world leaders? Does she have at least a basic understanding of the causes of conflict in Syria, the history of ISIS, the South China Sea dispute? Ya know, actual President stuff. I'm in this weird boat where I'd much rather have a leader who was good and had absolutely zero charisma (ie, I never had a problem with Gordon Brown while the media and various average citizens couldn't stop focusing on his lack of charm) than someone who I recognise from tv but knows less than me about international relations. Although given that I apparently have a far better knowledge of how the EU actually works than at least half of the UK's MPs who weighed in on Brexit, maybe its a lofty ideal.
I think the democrats need to realize the virtue of running a person with charisma; Bill Clinton and Barack Obama had it in spades. But they were also serious scholars and policy wonks who, behind their charisma, had definite, thought out positions on issues. Not all of these I agree with (ie Obama and drone warfare, Clinton and his actions in Central America), but it's certainly something different than a president who says "Whatever you put on my table, I'll sign." Oprah has a ton of charisma, is forward looking on minority rights, but has a history of supporting crank pot, psycho, loons like Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz*, and Deepak Chopra, crazy theories about the universe like The Secret**, which really isn't all that different from the prosperity gospel, and has no policy experience or experience with government. They've got to find some middle ground in their candidates between charismatic characters and policy wonks devoid of stage presence. *Can anyone imagine Dr. Oz as a surgeon general? Dear god in heaven. ** For those not in the know: The Secret is that the universe rewards your true desires and responds to your inner thoughts. If you think about what you want hard enough, every day, it will come to you. Conversely, bad things in your life are a product of negative thought patterns, or obsessing over your worries.
Re the secret, I've just been reading derren browns book. On cults and scams and he goes into quite some depth.