The Real timschochet

lol you must be trolling right? What sort of negotiations are you expecting? The Arab states want the Palestinians to have their own state in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem. And they want all Palestinians to have the right to return to Israel and live there if they wish with full rights as citizens. These have been their core demands for peace for the the last 70 years and they have not changed. What kind of negotiation are you thinking is going to happen here?

I’m sorry but I have to challenge you. You wrote that “so far that has worked”. Exactly how? What players in the region have been compelled and provoked? To do what? Please explain. My own impression is that this has already driven Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan closer to Hamas, which is the exact opposite of our goals in the region. I base that impression on their immediate negative responses. But if you believe otherwise please offer some evidence.

I don’t think he’s doing good things. But in fairness I will withhold my ultimate judgment for several years. I could be completely wrong. Really the only question we need to ask is: will Trump’s actions result in a more prosperous United States in which things generally have improved, without cost to our liberties? We’ll find out.

You are the king of irrelevancies. Your comment has NOTHING to do with the discussion. When I brought up the founders I was referring to the legal document they set up, called the U.S. Constitution, NOT to their opinions about anything. And FTR they strongly disagreed with each other about foreign entanglements. And if this issue really concerns you talk to Trump about Gaza.

And you seem to be arguing here that every state in the union pays more into the Department of Education than they receive. I would be shocked if this is the case or even close to the case.

I threw out West Virginia as an example of a poor state and it is one. Of course if left to their own devices the good people of West Virginia would insist on spending money on special education. But the fact is they could use that money elsewhere. When I wrote that they couldn’t afford it I meant it. I firmly believe that special ed, and many other education programs, really do need federal funding and administration, and that’s why we need a department of education.

I know you’re being cynical. But even if you’re right it still doesn’t justify the President being able to remove programs or spending he doesn’t like on his own authority. That’s not the government the founders set up.

Then investigate the members that do and impeach and remove them. Doesn’t change anything I wrote.

To make a larger point in terms of this issue: nobody should oppose targeting wasteful government spending and corruption. We all know there is plenty of it, and we all know it needs to be dealt with. I only ask two things: 1. When you cut it, use a scalpel, not a hammer. Be very careful you’re not taking away things that are important or useful. My concern with the Trump folks so far is that, because they want to impress their supporters and the public, they’re eager to use the hammer. 2. Don’t use this as an excuse to try and get rid of or block programs you oppose ideologically without going through proper channels (which means Congress). If you truly think an agency like USAID is bad news, fine. But getting rid of it should require an act of Congress, not executive authority. Same with the Department of Education. If anyone disagrees with these two points please explain how I am being unreasonable.

I‘m not sure Politico is left wing. But no I’m not in favor of taxpayers funding ANY magazine. As I wrote earlier, I’m sure when you look carefully at this organization or any government entity you will find a lot of waste and some corruption. If Musk and company discover that and carefully get rid of it or reduce it, more power to them. On the other hand, using these instances of abuse as a excuse to terminate an entire government agency that does a lot of good from what I have read…that’s something else entirely, and I don’t think I’m for this. Are you?

Wondering if Elon give him the resettlement idea? In the 1950s the South African government forcibly “resettled” thousands of black residents of Capetown and Johannesburg into “bantustans”. It didn’t work out so well…

About a year ago, he said that he would consider pardoning some of them on a case by case basis. At another time he said he would free most of them. He’s also said he would pardon all of them. What will he do and what should he do?

Because he didn’t do anything wrong?

3 guys who belong in jail you mean?

You act like this is a good thing. It isn’t. The fees are minimal. The resentment created is long lasting. This is not the way we should be handling diplomacy.

Maybe in private

Some local villains and heroes in my neck of the woods: Villains: my home city of Huntington Beach, whose far right extremist city council (don’t blame me I didn’t vote for them) is suing the state of California over sanctuary laws. They already tried this 3 years ago and failed, they spent close to $100,000 of city taxpayer money. Now they’re doing it again, apparently because they want to get chummy with the Trump folks. So stupid. Heroes: Several other Orange County cities were asked to join the lawsuit. So far Santa Ana, San Clemente, and San Juan Capistrano have all refused. Good for them!

That didn’t take long did it? Already breaking her assurances to Republican senators. For the only the second time in our history (Nixon being the first) it appears that the DOJ has been compromised to go after the President’s political appointments. Really sad.

@RLLD’s argument in particular, in regard to what you’re saying here, appears to be the end justifies the means. Which really surprises me.

However the pattern here is as old as dirt: there is a government agency that liberals like and conservatives don’t. As with any and all government programs (I would argue without exception) there is both some waste and fraud. Conservatives focus on the waste and fraud and use that as an argument to get rid of the agency. It’s almost never a good argument because it ignores the good things the agency does. In this case for example I am told that, under George W Bush and Obama and even Trump, USAID tackled several deadly diseases in Africa, including AIDs and Ebola, and helped to save millions of lives. I kind of consider that to be of value, myself.

I’m trying to recall ever hearing the phrase “USAID” mentioned prior to the last 72 hours, in the media, on this discussion board, anywhere. I’m failing.

Only regret is it failed.

Did he or did he not say that the Palestinians should be forced to leave their land in Gaza and never return?

No obviously you don’t get it. I do NOT think Trump is a Nazi type leader. I think YOU are a Nazi type follower. HTH

Not sure why they would bother to take it up. If they do it’s likely to be a unanimous decision rebuking Trump.