Trump's Team

[bystander]

I'm more pessimistic because it's becoming harder and harder to discern between accurate and inaccurate. Then there's the crowd that go to great effort to discredit the fact checkers simply because the facts don't fit in their world view. What we are finding out is that there are more crackpots than anyone every really imagined. In prior generations Alex Jones would be some hermit with a HAM radio. Now he makes millions off the gullible.

It goes back to the two-party system. People who may qualify as crack-pots in one mind are just Machiavellian's in another (the old one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter) bent on winning; the truth doesn't matter. The stakes are too high and the game is ruthless.

 

[Seattle Husker]

Trump names Ajit Pai to be the FCC Chairman. Net Neutrality is officially dead. It will be open season for media, cable and telecom mergers. Ajit Pai is a former counsel for Verizon.

How few cable and wireless telecom companies can we have? Trump's supporters won't care enough about this but these mergers will likely have a greater outcome on their lives than anything else he does. When Sprint/T-Mobile consolidate the "disruptor" low cost provider will be removed. Already the cable companies are leveraging their copper-wire monopolies to become mammoth ISPs. With no speed/bandwidth competition expect the prices to soar. I'm sure Comcast is wishing it would have held out a few years longer before putting their bid in for Time Warner.

The next administration will be stuck trying to break up the next Ma Bell.

It's happening. Matsoshito Son is getting his way although T-Mobile (Deutsche Telekom) will have control in a T-Mobile/Spring merger. In the past this might have failed due to regulator scrutiny. Not with Pai as chairman of the FTC and Trump in the Whitehouse. Son already made laid the groundwork for this with his meetings with Trump during the transition period. The only surprise to this happening is that Son ceded control of the board to Deutsche Telekom. Of course, Sprint's leverage given the current state of their company was pretty limited.

 

[Seattle Husker]

Adm. Ronny Jackson who just withdrew from VA Secretary consideration will not return as Personal Physician to the Whitehouse.

Ronny Jackson most assuredly got a bit of a raw deal on his treatment, especially in light of the Secret Service comments on his traffic accident history. The question I have is why no R's came out in support of him? I think he was universally thought to be ill credentialed to be Sec. of the VA by all on the hill. The Whitehouse needs to vet these candidates better, including ensuring there is appropriate support on Capitol Hill before nominating them.

 

[OUBubba]

Adm. Ronny Jackson who just withdrew from VA Secretary consideration will not return as Personal Physician to the Whitehouse.

Ronny Jackson most assuredly got a bit of a raw deal on his treatment, especially in light of the Secret Service comments on his traffic accident history. The question I have is why no R's came out in support of him? I think he was universally thought to be ill credentialed to be Sec. of the VA by all on the hill. The Whitehouse needs to vet these candidates better, including ensuring there is appropriate support on Capitol Hill before nominating them.

Zero vetting. Some of the criticisms of him I thought were silly. Giving out ambien and provigil to high level traveling groups was a nothing burger to me. Now if he was writing for his own percocet then that's a different deal. The real issue is that Trump wanted him because he looked the part. He referenced "central casting". It's sad how shallow that dude is.

 

[LongestHorn]

He is apolitical, he just has his personal views on military strategy and foreign policy (ones that I agree with btw).

His jobs as JSOC, SOCOM, and Chancellor never required him to make foreign policy. His responsibility was to manage enterprises. Honestly, his apolitcalness is a testament to his professionalism and abilities. He stays in his lane, motivates and takes care of the people he's responsible for, and effectively executes his mission.

While he's definitely a critic of isolationist foreign policy and a proponent of a muscular, active, and forward deployed posture, I don't believe that would compel him to have joined a Clinton cabinet. He seems pretty conservative otherwise. Him and Bob Gates seem to be on the same page. For a non-isolationist GOP admin...maybe, but he has a great job right now.

Good sailor. And he refers to himself as an old sailor.

Does his letter to POTUS give you concern that he, too, is compromised by the liberal cabal? Or is McRaven right about this POTUS?

 

[Statalyzer]

It goes back to the two-party system. People who may qualify as crack-pots in one mind are just Machiavellian's in another (the old one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter) bent on winning; the truth doesn't matter. The stakes are too high and the game is ruthless.

Summed it up perfectly.

 

[Mr. Deez]

James Mattis is quitting as Secretary of Defense. Not good. Not only was Mattis probably Trump's best appointees, he's one of the best Secretaries of Defense of the modern era. It's a real loss. Link.

 

[Seattle Husker]

James Mattis is quitting as Secretary of Defense. Not good. Not only was Mattis probably Trump's best appointees, he's one of the best Secretaries of Defense of the modern era. It's a real loss. Link.

I concur. This must put people in a bind that lauded Mattis and support Trump. Mattis is saying they had irreconcilable views. Administrations consistently see shifts in leadership. I can't remember any that have had as many people leave saying they were at odds with the POTUS.

 

[Musburger1]

So Trump has decided to pullout troops from Syria and alledgedly wishes to reduce troop levels in Afghanistan. Now Trump needs to select a replacement for Mattis that is more aligned with Trump’s desire to scale back. I’m not aware of any Pentagon brass remaining that oppose the Neocon agenda of US domination and occupation. Who’s he gonna select?

 

[Mr. Deez]

I concur. This must put people in a bind that lauded Mattis and support Trump. Mattis is saying they were had irreconcilable views. Administrations consistently see shifts in leadership. I can't remember any that have had as many people leave saying they were at odds with the POTUS.

It's worrisome. I know the Trump loyalists will say Mattis was a tool for the Deep State and/or a "cuck," but on military and national security matters, I'd definitely defer to him and his 40 years of service over Trump and his 50 years of avoiding chlamydia.

 

[LongestHorn]

Trump uses element of surprise on SOF ground commanders. Respect.

 

[Garmel]

It's worrisome. I know the Trump loyalists will say Mattis was a tool for the Deep State and/or a "cuck," but on military and national security matters, I'd definitely defer to him and his 40 years of service over Trump and his 50 years of avoiding chlamydia.

LOL! I don't know a single person who said any of that. Ease up on the TDS, man.

 

[Mr. Deez]

LOL! I don't know a single person who said any of that. Ease up on the TDS, man.

You haven't heard anyone associate Mattis with the deep state? You haven't listened well. Ask Musburger.

 

[Garmel]

You haven't heard anyone associate Mattis with the deep state? You haven't listened well. Ask Musburger.

You said from Trump loyalists. Musburger isn't one of those. Putin's his boy.

 

[Musburger1]

All of these wise, experienced, military people as well as their political shills - be they Republican or Democrat - have egged on wars beginning with Korea, then Vietnam, and within the last generation Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria. None of these have ended in victory and some have been disastrous. Lies aimed at the public were used to justify these wars and even now, the same holds true. Cheerleaders like McCain, Bolton, Nikki Haley, and Krauthamer or revered as Patriots and trumpeted by sheeplike followers exemplified by Mr. Deez among millions of others.

America is rapidly becoming regarded as a paraih, feared but no longer respected. Our country is falling behind in terms of infrastructure, Health care costs are destroying wealth, and moneyed interest completely rule what is only. Democracy in name. If Russia is a gas station masquerading as a country, the USA is a military extortion racket masquerading as a country.

 

[Musburger1]

If the governing system wasn’t so broken, Trump would not have happened. Too many people who know the system is broken fail to see the flaws in Trump, perhaps because they need to have hope he will be the savior. So they justify anything Trump says or does. Trump is a fraud. The only positive thing his Presidency has accomplished as of yet is to shine light on the systemic rot.

 

[bystander]

Here's my nominee for the next Secretary of Defense:

Trump just met with a classic-rock legend and a missile-defense expert — and it was the same guy

 

[Mr. Deez]

You said from Trump loyalists. Musburger isn't one of those. Putin's his boy.

He was a Trump loyalist until he ****-canned guys like Bannon and Michael Flynn. Also Putin isn't his boy. He's Putin's boy.

And whether you think Mattis is a deep stater or not, whose judgment do you trust? Mattis's or Trump's? In other words, should Trump have heeded his advice, or was Trump right to basically blow him off?

 

[Musburger1]

He was a Trump loyalist until he ****-canned guys like Bannon and Michael Flynn. Also Putin isn't his boy. He's Putin's boy.

And whether you think Mattis is a deep stater or not, whose judgment do you trust? Mattis's or Trump's? In other words, should Trump have heeded his advice, or was Trump right to basically blow him off?

I was never a Trump loyalist. I was willing to give Trump a chance based on the foreign policy he ran on. Then his backtracking, acquiescence to establishment, and appointment of Neocons exposed the fact that Trump is a fraud.

As far as Putin, I think he’s made missteps, but he is certainly grounded in reality and his worldview is more palatable than the ones held currently by some of the insane “leaders” in this country. That would include the Mattises, Pompeos, Haleys, and Boltons worshipped by the simpletons such as yourself.

 

[nashhorn]

If the governing system wasn’t so broken, Trump would not have happened.

Is it Christmas spirit or something? I agree with something Mus said? Whew. Actually there are some concepts you present I do agree with above. Kinda sad really, just what our morons have contrived.

 

[Mr. Deez]

Is it Christmas spirit or something? I agree with something Mus said? Whew. Actually there are some concepts you present I do agree with above. Kinda sad really, just what our morons have contrived.

He even says things I agree with. In fact, I've found significant agreement with him on Syria. The common theme for him is that America sucks and is pretty much always bad and wrong. Well, America is run by human beings, so sometimes it will be wrong, so he's going to be right in those situations.

Where he goes off the rails is when he jumps into completely ridiculous conspiracy theories and worships Putin. However, he now admits Putin has made missteps. It's not a big step, but it's a departure from viewing him as a deity, so that's progress.

 

[Mr. Deez]

That would include the Mattises, Pompeos, Haleys, and Boltons worshipped by the simpletons such as yourself.

Lol. This is coming from the guy who righteously accuses countries of violating treaties he hasn't read (and realistically, wouldn't understand if he did read them). So I may be a simpleton compared to some, but I've got very stiff competition for the simpleton label.

 

[Garmel]

He was a Trump loyalist until he ****-canned guys like Bannon and Michael Flynn. Also Putin isn't his boy. He's Putin's boy.

And whether you think Mattis is a deep stater or not, whose judgment do you trust? Mattis's or Trump's? In other words, should Trump have heeded his advice, or was Trump right to basically blow him off?

What? He never was a Trump loyalist. To be honest I'm not sure who's right in this. Both sides have good points.

 

[Monahorns]

Mattis was an establishment guy, "deep state" if you must. He is why Trump ordered the 2 bombings on Syria earlier in his administration. He coopted Trump's foreign policy and was in charge of what information Trump had access to whenever decisions were to be made.

It is no surprise that Mattis resigning and Trump announcing that he is pulling the troops out of Syria and Afghanistan have coincided. It is beyond coincidence. One caused the other though I am not sure which. This is a good day for America. I hope it marks a new trajectory for foreign policy. Defensive war only and no foreign entanglements.

 

[Statalyzer]

Not only was Mattis probably Trump's best appointees, he's one of the best Secretaries of Defense of the modern era

Maybe, but if he's quitting because he didn't get his way, and his way was staying in Syria indefinitely and against our own laws, then I won't miss him.

 

[Musburger1]

The common theme for him is that America sucks and is pretty much always bad and wrong. Well, America is run by human beings, so sometimes it will be wrong, so he's going to be right in those situations.

By America, if you are referring to the government as it now operates, the first sentence is a fair assessment. As far as it being run by human beings, it’s a question of who those human being are. If you are gullible enough to believe key decisions are made by publically elected officials in response to the electorate rather than by powerful moneyed interests that are not accountable to the public than you are a simpleton. This isn’t conspiracy theory. This is how it’s done.

 

[nashhorn]

Ah h***, I truly am not certain about the ‘human’ description when they cannot discern the difference between male and female - just by looking (at anatomical parts). And yep, this is some serious lunacy imo.

 

[horninchicago]

I will stand by and see what happens. Anything Trump says or does outrages just about everyone, they get in a dither, then Trump usually ends being right. So, I'll wait to see if announcing a Syrian pullout ends up being the right thing.

I liked Mattis, but. agree with @Statalyzer.

 

[Mr. Deez]

So if we send military forces somewhere, how long should we keep them there?

 

[Mr. Deez]

By the way, I saw this in Budapest earlier in the month. Almost bought one for Musburger.