The Real timschochet

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.

Now that he has called for ethnic cleansing, he should not have the decency to show up in public. He is a disgrace to the office he serves.

The other issue is, in all this supposed “head faking”: last night the President of the United States called for a war crime, ethnic cleansing, to happen. Truly shameful, a new low for any President since the 19th century.

At least there’s one bit of good news today: https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/05/politics/judge-blocks-birthright-citizenship-executive-order/index.html I’ll take anything positive. What a horrible 3 weeks it’s been for America.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Führerprinzip

Trump doesn’t head fake. You give him way too much credit.

I believe in private property. My views on undocumented immigrants don’t contradict that. Your analogy is flawed.

For the record, @Cdub100 is referring to the 109 countries in history who attempted to forcibly expel or murder the Jewish people. He is saying that he wishes the USA would do the same.

Last night: Trump: We will put troops in Gaza if we have to. We will be responsible for making Gaza safe and building something new and wonderful ther. This morning: Leavitt: President Trump never committed to putting any troops in Gaza. He never committed to spending any taxpayer money in Gaza. This is what I’m talking about. In order to be a spokesperson for Donald Trump, you have to be willing to contradict him, soften his statements and sometimes just outright lie. It’s embarrassing for her and shameful for the country.