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TrashJack Confirmed Doomer from beyond the Despair Event Horizon (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Confirmed Doomer
#247701: Jun 28th 2018 at 11:16:16 AM

[up] Why would Putin ever want to get the GOP to impeach Trump? He likes having his own little agent of chaos in there screwing everything up for America and the Western world.

"Cynic, n. — A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be." - The Devil's Dictionary
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#247702: Jun 28th 2018 at 11:20:30 AM

If Trump dances out of line. As others have said blackmailing Trump is unlikely, but indirectly blackmailing him via Congress...

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#247703: Jun 28th 2018 at 11:26:03 AM

I mean Trump’s madness is starting to be normalised to much of the nation, an impeachment would be a massive CHAOS event and destabilise the US’s internal structure even more.

It’s not like Trump would stop being an agent of chaos if impeached, hell if pardoned by Pence he might run again, if not pardoned he might release dirt on Pence and other republicans.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Wariolander Since: Nov, 2017
#247704: Jun 28th 2018 at 11:39:10 AM

A lot of psychics are saying Kennedy was blackmailed and Russia are involved: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ-LyLxXbTg

danime91 Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#247705: Jun 28th 2018 at 11:42:18 AM

[up]Please don't post things from kooks.

DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#247706: Jun 28th 2018 at 11:44:04 AM

There's a new front runner for Justice Anthony Kennedy's Seat (according to insiders); Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), who is not on Trump's list at all, and who is not a Judge.

The only thing I think I can say is that he might be better then Kavanaugh...

TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#247707: Jun 28th 2018 at 11:50:02 AM

There is no doubt in my mind that Putin possesses kompromat on Trump.

There is equally no doubt in my mind that he is not presently using it. He has it, certainly. It's in his back pocket somewhere. But he doesn't need it, because Trump already worships him of his own accord. If anything, actively blackmailing Trump might risk breaking the pedestal he holds of Putin, which would make potentially Trump less predictable.

Remember: Putin's KGB. He knows the value of shaking hands. You don't need to blackmail someone who's more than happy to compromise himself for your approval. So he's got material he can use if necessary, but he's not going to play that card unless it actually becomes necessary.

It'd actually be better for us if he was being blackmailed. Blackmailers are easy to deal with. All you have to do is find the kompromat and get it out in the open. Once the target no longer has anything to hide, the blackmailer ceases to have leverage over him. But Putin isn't Trump's blackmailer. He's Trump's role model. His hero. His idol. That's a much messier state of affairs to untangle.

Edited by TobiasDrake on Jun 28th 2018 at 12:51:26 PM

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CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#247708: Jun 28th 2018 at 11:56:08 AM

The Putin-as-Trump's-blackmailer presupposes two things:

1) That Trump has a sense of shame.
2) That Trump is at some level, in a very specific context, a decent person whose hand has been forced by the evil Putin and he must obey.

We're overestimating the power of kompromat. Kompromat sabotages Putin's domestic opposition. They're the ones trying to change Russia for the better. I doubt Trump bases his actions on what Papa Vlad has on him.

Blackmail is about using the mistakes of otherwise good, respectable, or at the very, very least, law-abiding people to do things they otherwise would not do. You don't have to force Trump to do something shameful, because he is a shameful man. You don't have to force Trump to do something selfish, because he is a selfish man. You don't have to force Trump to do something stupid, because he is a stupid man. You don't have to force Trump to do something brutal, because he is a brutal man. You don't have to force Trump to do something criminal, because he is a criminal. You don't have to force Trump to do something treasonous, because he is fundamentally a traitor.

Edited by CrimsonZephyr on Jun 28th 2018 at 2:57:44 PM

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
archonspeaks Since: Jun, 2013
#247709: Jun 28th 2018 at 11:58:51 AM

Yeah, I don’t think Putin is blackmailing Trump. He’s clearly manipulating him, but that’s sort of a different thing.

They should have sent a poet.
AngelusNox Warder of the damned from The guard of the gates of oblivion Since: Dec, 2014 Relationship Status: Married to the job
Warder of the damned
#247710: Jun 28th 2018 at 11:59:09 AM

Remember kids, trade wars good!

Reuters: Automakers warn U.S. tariffs will cost hundreds of thousands of jobs, hike prices

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two major auto trade groups on Wednesday warned the Trump administration that imposing up to 25 percent tariffs on imported vehicles would cost hundreds of thousands of auto jobs, dramatically hike prices on vehicles and threaten industry spending on self-driving cars.

A coalition representing major foreign automakers including Toyota Motor Corp, Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE), BMW AG, and Hyundai Motor Co, said the tariffs would harm automakers and U.S. consumers. The administration in May launched an investigation into whether imported vehicles pose a national security threat and President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to quickly impose tariffs.

“The greatest threat to the U.S. automotive industry at this time is the possibility the administration will impose duties on imports in connection with this investigation,” wrote the Association of Global Automakers representing major foreign automakers. “Such duties would raise prices for American consumers, limit their choices, and suppress sales and U.S. production of vehicles.”

The group added: “Rather than creating jobs, these tariffs would result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of American jobs producing and selling cars, SU Vs, trucks and auto parts.”

On Friday Trump threatened to impose a 20 percent tariff on all imports of EU-assembled cars. On Tuesday Trump said tariffs are coming soon. “We are finishing our study of Tariffs on cars from the E.U. in that they have long taken advantage of the U.S. in the form of Trade Barriers and Tariffs. In the end it will all even out - and it won’t take very long!” Trump tweeted.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, representing General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co, Daimler AG, Toyota and others, urged the administration in separate comments filed Wednesday not to go forward.

“We believe the resulting impact of tariffs on imported vehicles and vehicle components will ultimately harm U.S. economic security and weaken our national security,” the group wrote, calling the tariffs a “mistake” and adding imposing them “could very well set a dangerous precedent that other nations could use to protect their local market from foreign competition.”

The Alliance said its analysis of 2017 auto sales data showed a 25 percent tariff on imported vehicles would result in an average price increase of $5,800, which would boost costs to American consumers by nearly $45 billion annually.

Automakers are concerned tariffs would mean less capital to spend on self-driving cars and electric vehicles.

“We are already in the midst of an intense global race to lead on electrification and automation. The increased costs associated with the proposed tariffs may result in diminishing the U.S.’ competitiveness in developing these advanced technologies,” the Alliance wrote.

Toyota said in a statement Wednesday that new tariffs “would increase the cost of every vehicle sold in the country.” The automaker said the tariffs would mean even a Toyota Camry built in Kentucky “would face $1,800 in increased costs.”

Both automotive trade groups cited a study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics that the cost to U.S. jobs from the import duties would be 195,000 jobs and could be as high as 624,000 jobs if other countries retaliate.

The German Association for Small and Medium-sized Businesses said the “pattern of rising protectionism is very likely to continue if the U.S. decide to impose tariffs on foreign automobiles and automobile parts, thus causing tremendous damage to both economies.”

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, a state that produced nearly 1 million vehicles and 1.7 million engines built by foreign automakers last year, urged the Commerce Department not to invoke the tariffs. She said job losses from new levies could be “devastating.”

The proposed tariffs on national security grounds have been met by opposition among many Republicans in Congress.

Trump has made the tariffs a key part of his economic message and repeatedly lamented the U.S auto sector trade deficit, particularly with Germany and Japan. Some aides have suggested that the effort is a way to try to pressure Canada and Mexico into making more concessions in ongoing talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on Thursday the department aimed to wrap up the probe by late July or August. The Commerce Department plans to hold two days of public comments in July on its investigation of auto imports.

The Commerce Department has asked if it should consider U.S. owned auto manufacturers differently than foreign automakers.

The Association of Global Automakers rejected that contention, saying its members’ American workers “are no less patriotic or willing to serve their country in a time of crisis than any other Americans.”

The group questioned national security as grounds to restrict auto imports. “America does not go to war in a Ford Fiesta,” they added.

The Alliance said “there is no basis to claim that auto-related imports are a threat to national security” and noted that 98 percent of U.S. auto imports came from U.S. national security allies.

Inter arma enim silent leges
TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#247711: Jun 28th 2018 at 12:06:28 PM

I think the blackmail narrative is attractive to people for two reasons.

  1. It's easy to grasp. Spywork is pretty subtle. Grand gestures like dangling incriminating photos in front of someone and going, "Give me all of your secrets, muwahahaha!" is something that people can understand and interpret more easily than, say, laser-targeted friending.
  2. It provides a tangible adversary to be fought. Blackmail is a crime. It can be discovered, reported, and prosecuted. It's a lot easier to defeat the words, "Hey, bro, that tie you were wearing made you look dapper. Beers Friday?"

Problem is, it's just not how it works. Like 90% of what people like Putin do consists of precisely calculated agenda-driven socializing.

Edited by TobiasDrake on Jun 28th 2018 at 1:08:18 PM

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
DeathorCake Since: Mar, 2016
#247712: Jun 28th 2018 at 12:28:17 PM

[up][up]

Well, that's probably going to make Germany mildly worried and the USA car industry much more so. It's weird, since you can kind of see where Trump is going with this tariff game and what his chain of thought is, but he's getting it all just wrong enough to fail at absolutely everything. It's like he has an irritating cat in his back garden and to get rid of it he decides to break all his fences down and hope it leaves of its own accord after smashing all his own stuff to provide more doors for it.

Lightysnake Since: May, 2010
#247713: Jun 28th 2018 at 12:29:34 PM

I mean...Kennedy wasn't blackmailed. He wasn't threatened. This is who Kennedy always was: a mostly far right shill for conservative causes who delivered awful decisions for ages, but occasionally did the right thing. He was viciously hostile to civil rights, as Shelby County v. Holder proved.

But let's not undersell what's been going on:

Mitch Mc Connell, the leader of the Republican party in the Senate, with full cooperation, of every Senator, prevented the legitimately elected president from filling a supreme court seat so that hopefully someone from his own party could do so instead after the election. And election that Mc Connell knew his party was conspiring with a hostile foreign government to steal, which he knowingly covered up when the President came to him to inform him of it happening.

They literally knowingly prevented Democrats from seating a SCOTUS justice as was their legitimate right given they won the election so that they could take the seat by working with a hostile foreign government to steal the election.

They are using that court, literally as we speak, to destroy the Democratic party and to curtail rights and democracy within the US. Since the structure of the US Senate makes impeachment of a justice basically impossible and since Gorsuch will never voluntarily resign, packing the courts is the Democrat's only option for dealing with the situation. That's what we have to bank on.

tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#247714: Jun 28th 2018 at 12:37:49 PM

Active shooter situation at The Capital newsaper in Annapolis, Maryland; multiple people shot.

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
Deadbeatloser22 from Disappeared by Space Magic (Great Old One) Relationship Status: Tsundere'ing
#247715: Jun 28th 2018 at 12:43:16 PM

Crossposting, kinda.

So if anyone tries to convince you that the GOP is all about standing up for LGBT rights, remind them that the Ohio wing of the GOP is in full on "our feels trump your professional ethics" mode, to the point where they want to see therapists who refuse to out trans* kids to their parents brought up on fourth-degree felony charges.

I mean I don't know exactly when "patient confidentiality" became a dirty word in the state, but apparently it has something to do with the courts taking custody of a child away from their parents rather than let them be sent for conversion therapy.

"Yup. That tasted purple."
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#247716: Jun 28th 2018 at 12:43:55 PM

I mean Trump’s madness is starting to be normalised to much of the nation, an impeachment would be a massive CHAOS event and destabilise the US’s internal structure even more.

Good.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
archonspeaks Since: Jun, 2013
#247717: Jun 28th 2018 at 12:44:07 PM

An election that Mc Connell knew his party was conspiring with a hostile foreign government to steal

See, this is where we head into conspiracy theory territory. We can recognize the effects Russia had on the election without making this into a giant conspiracy. The Republicans aren’t traitors, they’re just beneficiaries.

They should have sent a poet.
Deadbeatloser22 from Disappeared by Space Magic (Great Old One) Relationship Status: Tsundere'ing
#247718: Jun 28th 2018 at 12:47:42 PM

Also, re: Newspaper shooting

It can't be a coincidence that this is happening right after Milo Yiannopoulos started going on about wanting vigilantes to start murdering journalists.

As much as I really hope it is because I'd like to believe people aren't that damn stupid.

"Yup. That tasted purple."
Larkmarn Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Hello, I love you
#247719: Jun 28th 2018 at 12:49:46 PM

See, this is where we head into conspiracy theory territory. We can recognize the effects Russia had on the election without making this into a giant conspiracy. The Republicans aren’t traitors, they’re just beneficiaries.

I mean, no? Mitch was informed that Obama was looking into Russian meddling and collusion. Mitch is part of the reason that Obama's administration didn't release that fact to the public (by the way, insert standard "fuck you" to James Comey, btw). This isn't a wild mass guess conspiracy theory, it's straight up fact.

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Lightysnake Since: May, 2010
#247720: Jun 28th 2018 at 12:50:44 PM

See, this is where we head into conspiracy theory territory. We can recognize the effects Russia had on the election without making this into a giant conspiracy. The Republicans aren’t traitors, they’re just beneficiaries.

Obama went to McConnell, told him what was going on and wanted to make a joint statement. What did Mitch do? Told him he'd crucify him to the media as a partisan if he did.

So, no, this is what happened.

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#247721: Jun 28th 2018 at 12:53:05 PM

Permit me to interject but I'm pretty sure a secret action by a foreign government to subvert our democracy is the very definition of a conspiracy.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
Lightysnake Since: May, 2010
#247722: Jun 28th 2018 at 12:57:08 PM

A 'conspiracy theory' has a stigma attached to the very term. This is discussing what happened. No more, no less.

Larkmarn Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Hello, I love you
#247723: Jun 28th 2018 at 12:58:54 PM

[up][up]... no, it's an example of a conspiracy. Not the definition. Also, keep in mind that "conspiracy" and "conspiracy theory" are two very different things. It's like "socialism" and "national socialism" Changes the connotation quite a bit.

Edited by Larkmarn on Jun 28th 2018 at 3:58:58 PM

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AmbarSonofDeshar Since: Jan, 2010
#247724: Jun 28th 2018 at 12:58:56 PM

McConnell aided and abetted a foreign conspiracy after the fact. Stating that he did so is not a "conspiracy theory" it's a description of what happened.

Larkmarn Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Hello, I love you
#247725: Jun 28th 2018 at 1:01:35 PM

So for example. Mitch and Republicans working to hide the fact that Russians were taking measures to get the Republican candidate elected (including probable collusion)? Conspiracy.

Mitch did it because the Russians have dirt on him? Conspiracy theory.

Wonder if they have dirt on Comey. Honestly doubt it, but it would explain some stuff.

Edited by Larkmarn on Jun 28th 2018 at 4:01:57 AM

Found a Youtube Channel with political stances you want to share? Hop on over to this page and add them.

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