The Trump Presidency – 2016

[Edward64]

Oh, another article said it could result in Russian deaths. Putin prob won't take that lying down.

[NobodyHere]

So what exactly does the air/missile strike accomplish? Is there going to be follow-up actions?

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Oh, another article said it could result in Russian deaths. Putin prob won't take that lying down.

Meh...depends on if he cared for those particular Russians.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Meh...depends on if he cared for those particular Russians.

They are probably some of his better trained folks ... so yeah, I think he would care.

If there are some Rooskie casualties, he'll find some way to do the same to us

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

So what exactly does the air/missile strike accomplish? Is there going to be follow-up actions?

Beats me, but better than saying there is a red line and having your bluff called.

I like Obama on domestic things but alot of his foreign policies left alot to be desired.

[Edward64]

(BTW, anyone else stuck in an airport somewhere?)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Nonsensical act. Wrong place to flex, with no real justification for doing so.

For our sake I hope he gets away with it but it was a dumb move.

[RainMaker]

Fox News on Twitter: ".@realDonaldTrump: "[@HillaryClinton] wants to start a shooting war in Syria... that could very well lead to World War III." https://t.co/ov26Hhhb7A"

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Nonsensical act. Wrong place to flex, with no real justification for doing so.

For our sake I hope he gets away with it but it was a dumb move.

There's prob some positioning with Xi also.

[bhlloy]

Figures that the first thing Trump does Jon absolutely hates I'm a huge fan of

This was such a horrific act I think it deserves a response and I don't think Russia will go to war over this. Sick of talk and UN resolutions while children are dying, and while I doubt his heart is completely in the right place here (it's far more likely posturing with Xi and Putin) I'll take it.

[AENeuman]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Figures that the first thing Trump does Jon absolutely hates I'm a huge fan of

This was such a horrific act I think it deserves a response and I don't think Russia will go to war over this. Sick of talk and UN resolutions while children are dying, and while I doubt his heart is completely in the right place here (it's far more likely posturing with Xi and Putin) I'll take it.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Figures that the first thing Trump does Jon absolutely hates I'm a huge fan of

This was such a horrific act I think it deserves a response and I don't think Russia will go to war over this. Sick of talk and UN resolutions while children are dying, and while I doubt his heart is completely in the right place here (it's far more likely posturing with Xi and Putin) I'll take it.

Yeah, these guys need to get fucked up for that. We shouldn't let evil go unchecked.

[CrescentMoonie]

50 Tomahawk missiles blew up the last remaining scraps of the Constitution.

[Ben E Lou]

I'm in full guarded support, with acknowledgement of the reality that Syria is a hot mess. It stinks to have to be the world's policeman, but when a dictator is gassing his own people, I want *someone* to respond, and no one else is going to do so. But with the complicated mess that Syria is, I strongly believe Trump's in over his head when it comes to navigating all of the ramifications as things unfold. He's definitely not going to listen to Pelosi, Sanders, or any Dem, and probably not even the Graham/McCain contingent of his own party that has been heavily critical of him. So the best-case realistic scenario seems to be that he basically defers to Mattis in the military arena, Haley in the diplomatic, and Rubio & Co. in the political.

And I'd rather not think about the worst-case realstic scenarios here...

[CrescentMoonie]

Within approximately 14 hours.

[Edward64]

So you are saying Trump admin has alot of drama or thinking the Syria bombing is a distraction tactic?

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by Ben E Lou

So the best-case realistic scenario seems to be that he basically defers to Mattis in the military arena, Haley in the diplomatic, and Rubio & Co. in the political.

And I'd rather not think about the worst-case realstic scenarios here...

You also forgot the Jared and Ivanka team as the overall solution architects to tie the military, diplomatic and political together.

[PilotMan]

An attack on 1 airbase is the least of how Obama should have responded, but I don't believe that even this will matter that much in the grand scheme of the abilities of the Syrian govt to wage war on it's people.

..in the meantime....attack cost the Defense Department $14,750,000.

Here's What Firing 59 Tomahawk Missiles at Syria's Airfield Cost

"The proposed cuts, outlined in a 64-page budget memo revealed by The Washington Post on Friday, would roll back programs aimed at reducing lead risks by $16.61 million and more than 70 employees, in line with a broader project by the Trump administration to devolve responsibility for environmental and health protection to state and local governments."

Trump’s EPA moves to dismantle programs that protect kids from lead paint - The Washington Post

Just to keep things in perspective. In one night it cost almost as much as it would have cost to employ 70 people and help prevent lead poisoning in children for an entire year.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by Edward64

You also forgot the Jared and Ivanka team as the overall solution architects to tie the military, diplomatic and political together.

I said "best-case." I don't consider neophytes like them to be part of a best-case solution. I want Trump meeting alone with his Mattis, Haley, and Senate foreign-policy people and that team to be the proverbial "last voice he heard."

[Easy Mac]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

An attack on 1 airbase is the least of how Obama should have responded, but I don't believe that even this will matter that much in the grand scheme of the abilities of the Syrian govt to wage war on it's people.

..in the meantime....attack cost the Defense Department $14,750,000.

Here's What Firing 59 Tomahawk Missiles at Syria's Airfield Cost

"The proposed cuts, outlined in a 64-page budget memo revealed by The Washington Post on Friday, would roll back programs aimed at reducing lead risks by $16.61 million and more than 70 employees, in line with a broader project by the Trump administration to devolve responsibility for environmental and health protection to state and local governments."

Trump’s EPA moves to dismantle programs that protect kids from lead paint - The Washington Post

Just to keep things in perspective. In one night it cost almost as much as it would have cost to employ 70 people and help prevent lead poisoning in children for an entire year.

To be fair, if we don't use them, then we just wasted $14 million.

[Edward64]

I'm sure Bannon and Kushner (and Ivanka) are having fun with the cuck story.

Stephen Colbert Mocks Steve Bannon Over His Removal From National Security Council | The Huffington Post

Stephen Colbert Mocks Steve Bannon Over His Removal From National Security Council
“That’s a TCM bro.”

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

To be fair, if we don't use them, then we just wasted $14 million.

The money will still be spent to replace them going forward. No worries there. That doesn't change anything.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Ben E Lou

I'm in full guarded support, with acknowledgement of the reality that Syria is a hot mess. It stinks to have to be the world's policeman, but when a dictator is gassing his own people, I want *someone* to respond, and no one else is going to do so. But with the complicated mess that Syria is, I strongly believe Trump's in over his head when it comes to navigating all of the ramifications as things unfold. He's definitely not going to listen to Pelosi, Sanders, or any Dem, and probably not even the Graham/McCain contingent of his own party that has been heavily critical of him. So the best-case realistic scenario seems to be that he basically defers to Mattis in the military arena, Haley in the diplomatic, and Rubio & Co. in the political.

And I'd rather not think about the worst-case realstic scenarios here...

Agreed with this. This response is probably the first thing Trump did as President that I agree with. However, I also fear that he doesn't know what do next.

[Edward64]

TBH, I don't think its good for Hillary to talk more about this right now. There is an investigation going on and we should wait to see the outcome.

Talk about other issues but talking about a subject that may be somewhat related to your loss seems to be sour grapes right now. Instead, let your allies be your voice.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/06/politi...tion-meddling/

Hillary Clinton referred to Russia's meddling in the 2016 US presidential election as an "act of aggression" on Thursday, in her most extended comments yet about a controversy that has consumed the earliest days of Donald Trump's presidency.

"I am deeply concerned about what went on with Russia," Clinton said at the "Women in the World" summit in New York City. "A foreign power meddled with our election and did so in a way that we are learning more about every single day."

The Russian hackings, she said, appeared to be a "more effective theft even than Watergate."

[PilotMan]

Hillary can either do one of two things. She can shut the hell up and stay away in retirement or make personal attacks on Trump like he would do. Either of those are fine with me, anything else, especially cogent sounding policy editorials is wasted and unwanted.

[Ben E Lou]

I realize I am an unashamed Haley fanboy. This does not decrease my level of fanboyhood.

pic.twitter.com/Tbch23H79T

— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) April 7, 2017

[Kodos]

Nice!

[CrescentMoonie]

[CrescentMoonie]

"If there are no consequences for a president who unilaterally orders military action under all those conditions, what use is a Constitution that vests the legislature with the war power?"

Trump's Syria Strike Was Unconstitutional and Unwise

Just another intrusionist, nation building, warm mongering meddler in foreign affairs.

[larrymcg421]

"You are all hypocrites because you were (mad/happy) about (former President)'s actions and now are suddenly (mad/happy) about (current President)'s actions."

[Coffee Warlord]

Originally Posted by CrescentMoonie

"If there are no consequences for a president who unilaterally orders military action under all those conditions, what use is a Constitution that vests the legislature with the war power?"

Trump's Syria Strike Was Unconstitutional and Unwise

Just another intrusionist, nation building, warm mongering meddler in foreign affairs.

Are we pretending this action is in any way not been standard practice for Presidents for the last 50-60 years?

I don't agree with bombing Syria at all, but unless The Atlantic shook the Constitution at Clinton and Obama for doing the same damn thing, they can just bugger right off.

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by Ben E Lou

I realize I am an unashamed Haley fanboy. This does not decrease my level of fanboyhood.

I think its more likely they wanted it private so they could ask the US wtf without Trump reacting badly ...

I haven't seen much in the media about the fact that contrary to their assertions chemical weapons attacks aren't anything new in this war - BOTH sides have used them during the six years the war has been going on, apparently over 150 times so far.

I detest war and especially the use of chemical weapons but this is far from a black and white situation and I fail to see what the strikes will do to improve the situation?

(and I'm kinda terrified that we have a president who apparently is as likely to request on a military strike because of a news report as much as he is to do a tweet ...)

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by CrescentMoonie

Remember when Van Jones said "he became President" a month or so ago and how that went??? Well, here ya go!!!

[Coffee Warlord]

--
Leon Kodak: Yes sir. But it can be, sir. What you did tonight was very presidential.

President Andrew Shepherd: Leon, somewhere in Libya right now, a janitor's working the night shift at Libyan Intelligence headquarters. He's going about doing his job... because he has no idea that in about an hour he's going to die in a massive explosion. He's just going about his job, because he has no idea that about an hour ago I gave an order to have him killed. You've just seen me do the least presidential thing I do.
--

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

"You are all hypocrites because you were (mad/happy) about (former President)'s actions and now are suddenly (mad/happy) about (current President)'s actions."

What happens if you were happy about former President's actions and are suddenly happy because current President is doing what former President did or wanted to do?

[AENeuman]

The biggest win for Trump may be this headline:
"Kremlin Says Syria Missile Strike Harms U.S.-Russia Relations"

What better way to prove you are not under the influence and beholden to Russia

[cuervo72]

Liked this comment to a 538 post on the bombing:

I think what you meant to say was that the Syria strike is his biggest smoke & mirrors show since he assumed the office. It's no coincidence that there's a *lot* of negative going on in the WH right now, or that we warned the Reds who then warned the Syrians so that this was nothing more than a big flashy ninja smoke bomb.

I don't know if that's what this was, but I sure wouldn't doubt it. We'll see if this is just a one-off or if there is any policy behind it.

[CU Tiger]

Last night, Trump was going to set off a proxy war with the Russians. Then the WH announced that they warned the Russians in advance. Now, that's evidence that Trump is Putin's puppet.

[cuervo72]

Well, there was a worry that Trump wouldn't have the foresight to realize that hey, the Russians might not like it if we bombed Syrian assets while Russians were there. I don't think that was a completely invalid concern.

It's a bit of a Catch-22, but with the warning you wonder how much this really does. If the end result is just a bunch of potholes in one of what are many facilities while you puff out your chest and say "RARRRR, I DID SOMETHING!" then what's the point? Well, we showed Assad! We convinced him to go back to not using nerve gas (like he had done since 2013), but hey, by all means continue on otherwise.

Watching what the Russians do here might be interesting. If they shake their fist and condemn this but then go back to business as usual, could be that they (and Assad) are cool with it. Let Trump have his moment, then carry on.

[cuervo72]

dola: and if nothing else, look who is on-board now? The only two Rs who have been doing meaningful grousing about Trump - McCain and Graham.*


* Little Marco really doesn't count

[CrescentMoonie]

Courtesy of the brilliant Lego Grad Student--

Committee: Your dissertation is a sham.

Me: [Bomb airbase with 59 missiles]

Committee: Well, this changes things...

=========

Don't be this committee. #phdistracted

[Ben E Lou]

Don't we have an agreement of some sort with the Russians to let them know about military activity?

[CU Tiger]

Yes and immediately after the action, when we did warn them, Russia allegedly shut down the agreement and comm lines

[AlexB]

If you want a conspiracy theory, Trump tweeted his condolences a full 6 weeks early...

Are all these attacks US coordinated to justify policy regarding the Middle East? #prayforsweden

Stockholm lorry rams crowds, killing 'at least three people' - BBC News

The answer is obviously not, but a strange coincidence nonetheless

[Ben E Lou]

Rumors that Bannon and/or Reince may be out.

[Kodos]

One can only hope it's at least Bannon. Reince isn't evil incarnate.

[Easy Mac]

Word is war planes have been taking off from the Syria location we bombed... so... success!? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Atocep]

With the number of people that forget about meetings with Russian diplomats/officials they must have some Men in Black technology we don't know about.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

Word is war planes have been taking off from the Syria location we bombed... so... success!? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Welp, there go those Raytheon stock gains :/

[PilotMan]

Having a feeling that this strike will go down the way that a lot of remote strikes have gone down in the past, ineffective and considered underwhelming. It'll go down as something that people chuckle about as some kind of face saving by the administration.