IS Forum
Forum Index Register Members List Events Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Help

Go Back   International Skeptics Forum » General Topics » USA Politics
 


Welcome to the International Skeptics Forum, where we discuss skepticism, critical thinking, the paranormal and science in a friendly but lively way. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest, which means you are missing out on discussing matters that are of interest to you. Please consider registering so you can gain full use of the forum features and interact with other Members. Registration is simple, fast and free! Click here to register today.
Tags donald trump , Rodrigo Duterte , Trump controversies , US-Philippines relations

Reply
Old 30th April 2017, 06:15 AM   #1
WilliamSeger
Philosopher
 
WilliamSeger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,092
Donald Trump invites Rodrigo Duterte to Washington

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...-to-washington
Quote:
The phone call also touched on Duterte’s war on drugs, in which some 7,000 people have died at the hands of vigilantes and state sanctioned death squads. Trump has previously praised the drug war.

“They also discussed the fact that the Philippine government is fighting very hard to rid its country of drugs, a scourge that affects many countries throughout the world,” the readout said.

“President Trump enjoyed the conversation and said that he is looking forward to visiting the Philippines in November to participate in the east Asia summit and the US-Asean summit. President Trump also invited President Duterte to the White House to discuss the importance of the the United States-Philippines alliance.”

...
Last week a Filipino lawyer filed a complaint at the international criminal court (ICC) accusing Duterte and 11 other Philippine officials of mass murder and crimes against humanity.

In the 77-page complaint Jude Sabio says the president has “repeatedly, unchangingly and continuously” committed extra-judicial executions or mass murders over three decades, amounting to crimes against humanity.
From one of the linked stories: https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...e-house-invite

Quote:
US President-elect Donald Trump has praised Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte for his controversial war on drugs in which thousands have died, Duterte said on Saturday following a phone call between the leaders.

The Philippine president called Trump on Friday evening to congratulate him on his victory and Trump wished him “success” in his controversial crackdown, in which 4,800 people have been killed since June, according to Duterte.

Last edited by WilliamSeger; 30th April 2017 at 06:20 AM.
WilliamSeger is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 07:54 AM   #2
Craig4
Penultimate Amazing
 
Craig4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: I live in a swamp
Posts: 27,710
When The Hair hits rock bottom, he goes and gets a pick axe.
Craig4 is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 08:12 AM   #3
WilliamSeger
Philosopher
 
WilliamSeger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,092
Originally Posted by Craig4 View Post
When The Hair hits rock bottom, he goes and gets a pick axe.
It's a good thing he doesn't have any mental health issues.
WilliamSeger is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 08:53 AM   #4
Minoosh
Penultimate Amazing
 
Minoosh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 12,511
Trump sure has a thing for dictators.
Minoosh is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 08:54 AM   #5
BobTheCoward
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 22,789
Priebus gave an okay defense if you squint. The idea being that North Korea as an issue supercedes any other issue in the Pacific.
BobTheCoward is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 09:53 AM   #6
WilliamSeger
Philosopher
 
WilliamSeger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,092
Originally Posted by BobTheCoward View Post
Priebus gave an okay defense if you squint. The idea being that North Korea as an issue supercedes any other issue in the Pacific.
BS. What does Trump need from Duterte that justifies "the White House statement on Trump's phone call Saturday with Duterte praised the Filipino government for 'fighting very hard to rid its country of drugs.'" Duterte called Trump after the election and flattered him, and like Xi's rolling him at Mar-a-Lago, flattering Trump "supercedes any other issue in the Pacific." That should be expected when a president has a pathological need for flattery.

Last edited by WilliamSeger; 30th April 2017 at 10:00 AM. Reason: sp
WilliamSeger is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 10:02 AM   #7
BobTheCoward
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 22,789
Originally Posted by WilliamSeger View Post
BS. What does Trump need from Duterte that justifies "the White House statement on Trump's phone call Saturday with Duterte praised the Filipino government for 'fighting very hard to rid its country of drugs.'" Duterte called Trump after the election and flattered him, and like Xi's rolling him at Mar-a-Lago, flattering Trump "supercedes any other issue in the Pacific." That should be expected when a president has a pathological need for flattery.
If the goal is to justify it to you, probably nothing would satisfy. If the goal is simply to provide a fig leaf (something often all you need in politics) than improving bargaining position with north Korea is all you need to claim.
BobTheCoward is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 10:12 AM   #8
WilliamSeger
Philosopher
 
WilliamSeger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,092
Originally Posted by BobTheCoward View Post
If the goal is to justify it to you, probably nothing would satisfy. If the goal is simply to provide a fig leaf (something often all you need in politics) than improving bargaining position with north Korea is all you need to claim.
How about just answering my question without worrying about justifying it to me. What does Trump need from Duterte that justifies praising him for murder?
WilliamSeger is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 10:14 AM   #9
TragicMonkey
Poisoned Waffles
 
TragicMonkey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Monkey
Posts: 68,744
Originally Posted by WilliamSeger View Post
BS. What does Trump need from Duterte that justifies "the White House statement on Trump's phone call Saturday with Duterte praised the Filipino government for 'fighting very hard to rid its country of drugs.'" Duterte called Trump after the election and flattered him, and like Xi's rolling him at Mar-a-Lago, flattering Trump "supercedes any other issue in the Pacific." That should be expected when a president has a pathological need for flattery.
The US does need some degree of friendliness with the Philippines because of our naval presence there. It's a rather important strategic position for the US in the south Pacific and Asia. US/Philippines relations were getting cool, with remarks being made by Obama and Duterte. As unpleasant as the notion is, the US does actually need to maintain some form of good relationship there.

Not that I'd ever pick Trump, of all people, to be a person charged with maintaining a delicate relationship.
__________________
You added nothing to that conversation, Barbara.
TragicMonkey is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 10:16 AM   #10
BobTheCoward
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 22,789
Originally Posted by WilliamSeger View Post
How about just answering my question without worrying about justifying it to me. What does Trump need from Duterte that justifies praising him for murder?
Your question is meaningless. He doesn't need anything from duterte. The whole point of Priebus's remarks is to simply provide enough cover to turn the debate to more favorable ground. How convincing the argument is itself doesn't matter, as that isn't the objective.
BobTheCoward is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 10:19 AM   #11
The Great Zaganza
Maledictorian
 
The Great Zaganza's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 22,557
Just like his congratulations to Erdogan, this seems to be more aimed at the home front than international politics: the message for Congress and the media is: look, in other countries, people do what their leader tells them ! Why can't everyone in the US be more like that?
__________________
“Don’t blame me. I voted for Kodos.”
The Great Zaganza is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 10:21 AM   #12
shemp
a flimsy character...perfidious and despised
 
shemp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Where the Old Man of the Mountain used to stand
Posts: 58,585
Perhaps Trump is looking for some advice on how to fight the War on Drugs.
__________________
Being the victim of genocidal atrocities does not give you free reign to commit your own genocidal atrocities.

When Republican politicians were young, they were the kids who watched James Bond movies and said "I want to grow up to be just like [insert name of villain here]."
shemp is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 10:24 AM   #13
WilliamSeger
Philosopher
 
WilliamSeger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,092
Originally Posted by TragicMonkey View Post
The US does need some degree of friendliness with the Philippines because of our naval presence there. It's a rather important strategic position for the US in the south Pacific and Asia. US/Philippines relations were getting cool, with remarks being made by Obama and Duterte. As unpleasant as the notion is, the US does actually need to maintain some form of good relationship there.
"Some degree of friendliness" doesn't need to include praising him for murder.
WilliamSeger is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 10:40 AM   #14
Polaris
Penultimate Amazing
 
Polaris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,396
Originally Posted by shemp View Post
Perhaps Trump is looking for some advice on how to fight the War on Drugs.
Pointers on fighting MS-13 was my thought.
__________________
"There's vastly more truth to be found in rocks than in holy books. Rocks are far superior, in fact, because you can DEMONSTRATE the truth found in rocks. Plus, they're pretty. Holy books are just heavy." - Dinwar

"Let your ears hear this beautiful song that's hiding underneath the sound," Ed Kowalczyk.
Polaris is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 10:48 AM   #15
fuelair
Banned
 
fuelair's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 58,581
Originally Posted by WilliamSeger View Post
It's a good thing he doesn't have any mental health issues.
Clearly because he has no mental to have health issues with!!!
fuelair is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 10:50 AM   #16
Tony Stark
Philosopher
 
Tony Stark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 9,626
Maybe Trump wants advice on becoming a dictator.
Tony Stark is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 10:50 AM   #17
fuelair
Banned
 
fuelair's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 58,581
Originally Posted by Polaris View Post
Pointers on fighting MS-13 was my thought.
IIRC, I have no need for any of them to continue their current existence.
fuelair is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 10:52 AM   #18
WilliamSeger
Philosopher
 
WilliamSeger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,092
Originally Posted by Polaris View Post
Pointers on fighting MS-13 was my thought.
Yeah, not likely the opiod-addicted coal miners are on the list.
WilliamSeger is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 10:53 AM   #19
fuelair
Banned
 
fuelair's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 58,581
Originally Posted by The Great Zaganza View Post
Just like his congratulations to Erdogan, this seems to be more aimed at the home front than international politics: the message for Congress and the media is: look, in other countries, people do what their leader tells them ! Why can't everyone in the US be more like that?
And that makes him free to eat us - and not the way he would prefer!!!!
fuelair is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 10:54 AM   #20
TragicMonkey
Poisoned Waffles
 
TragicMonkey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Monkey
Posts: 68,744
Originally Posted by WilliamSeger View Post
"Some degree of friendliness" doesn't need to include praising him for murder.
He got distinctly unfriendly when Obama condemned him for murder, so apparently it might just need to include that after all.
__________________
You added nothing to that conversation, Barbara.
TragicMonkey is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 11:27 AM   #21
Trebuchet
Penultimate Amazing
 
Trebuchet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Port Townsend, Washington
Posts: 39,057
Originally Posted by TragicMonkey View Post
The US does need some degree of friendliness with the Philippines because of our naval presence there. It's a rather important strategic position for the US in the south Pacific and Asia. US/Philippines relations were getting cool, with remarks being made by Obama and Duterte. As unpleasant as the notion is, the US does actually need to maintain some form of good relationship there.

Not that I'd ever pick Trump, of all people, to be a person charged with maintaining a delicate relationship.
I don't think the Navy's had much presence in the Philippines since Subic Bay was evacuated due to the volcano back in the 90's. At least that's what a very quick Google indicates. Be glad to be corrected if necessary, of course.
__________________
Cum catapultae proscribeantur tum soli proscripti catapultas habeant.
Trebuchet is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 11:51 AM   #22
WilliamSeger
Philosopher
 
WilliamSeger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,092
Arrow

Originally Posted by TragicMonkey View Post
He got distinctly unfriendly when Obama condemned him for murder, so apparently it might just need to include that after all.
No offense to either of you, but that sounds like something I'd expect to hear from BobTheCoward. Even someone as amoral as Trump could have tried just avoiding the subject.

Last edited by WilliamSeger; 30th April 2017 at 12:03 PM. Reason: typo
WilliamSeger is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 12:01 PM   #23
Trebuchet
Penultimate Amazing
 
Trebuchet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Port Townsend, Washington
Posts: 39,057
The combination of Duterte being invited by Trump and David Clarke possibly being appointed to Homeland Security is rather frightening. Some of his "Oath Keeper" buddies would just love to be on the death squads.
__________________
Cum catapultae proscribeantur tum soli proscripti catapultas habeant.
Trebuchet is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 01:30 PM   #24
TragicMonkey
Poisoned Waffles
 
TragicMonkey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Monkey
Posts: 68,744
Originally Posted by WilliamSeger View Post
No offense to either of you, but that sounds like something I'd expect to hear from BobTheCoward. Even someone as amoral as Trump could have tried just avoiding the subject.
I don't think Trump is capable of that level of subtlety. Since it's inevitable that he will prattle unwisely, at least once in a while it can be put to practical use.
__________________
You added nothing to that conversation, Barbara.
TragicMonkey is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 01:38 PM   #25
WilliamSeger
Philosopher
 
WilliamSeger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,092
Originally Posted by TragicMonkey View Post
I don't think Trump is capable of that level of subtlety. Since it's inevitable that he will prattle unwisely, at least once in a while it can be put to practical use.
Duterte will likely roll him in any deals, whatever Trump says. If any world leaders needed to know how to do that, they can take a lesson from Xi: exploit his ignorance and vanity.

Last edited by WilliamSeger; 30th April 2017 at 01:39 PM. Reason: typo
WilliamSeger is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 01:45 PM   #26
BobTheCoward
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 22,789
Originally Posted by WilliamSeger View Post
No offense to either of you, but that sounds like something I'd expect to hear from BobTheCoward. Even someone as amoral as Trump could have tried just avoiding the subject.
I still haven't supported anything Trump has done.
BobTheCoward is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 01:52 PM   #27
WilliamSeger
Philosopher
 
WilliamSeger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,092
Originally Posted by BobTheCoward View Post
I still haven't supported anything Trump has done.
Which is why it reminded me of you. You don't "support" a lot of things that you nonetheless attempt to rationalize.
WilliamSeger is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 08:11 PM   #28
logger
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 11,145
This could be a clue for the left.

https://theconservativetreehouse.com...t-north-korea/

Last edited by logger; 30th April 2017 at 08:13 PM.
logger is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 08:24 PM   #29
Noztradamus
Illuminator
 
Noztradamus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,680
Originally Posted by Minoosh View Post
Trump sure has a thing for dictators.
The One did it in job lots (but only if they shared his ethnicity).

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed...06-column.html

Trump actually extended an invitation to a Mexican
__________________
The Australian Family Association's John Morrissey was aghast when he learned Jessica Watson was bidding to become the youngest person to sail round the world alone, unaided and without stopping.
Noztradamus is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 09:14 PM   #30
Foolmewunz
Grammar Resistance Leader
TLA Dictator
 
Foolmewunz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Pattaya, Thailand
Posts: 41,468
Originally Posted by logger View Post
This could be a clue for the left.

https://theconservativetreehouse.com...t-north-korea/
It could also be a clue for the right, but you won't get it. Trump didn't facilitate any of this. He's reacting to it. His and his minions' instinctive approach was to threaten China in the South China Sea. They then shut up and backed off. He took his first call from the Taiwanese(separatist) president. Backed off of that, too. Where are the sanctions on Chinese steel? Solar panels? Wallboard? In his interview on CBS he actually claimed that China used to be a currency manipulator but that when he, Donald J. Trump brought it up in the campaign, they stopped! Yeah, like NATO used to be worthless but now isn't because he got them to change.

The man's a moron. He didn't ameliorate his stance on China Trade. He was defeated. He was faced with the fact that he lost and he had no where to turn. China's been ratcheting up the pressure on North Korea on their own. Trump's riding on their coattails.

What the media did not cover is that over the weekend Trump also phoned the presidents of other ASEAN countries. He knows they're all in the China orbit, now. Game over. Any thought of using Singapore, Taiwan and the Philippines as points of a triangle to re-establish American hegemony in Southeast Asia and to counter the Chinese presence in the South China Sea can now be dismissed.

Hell, he name-drops his Xi connection to get people over here to listen to him.

"Hello, it's the White House calling. Can we speak to Prime Minister Lee?..... Yes, I'll hold."
>>>>>
"Uh, did you tell him it's President Donald J. Trump, leader of the free world, on the phone?"
>>>>>
"I see. Did you mention that we're good buddies with Xi Jinping?"

China's learned from western history. It's called dollar diplomacy. Their financial tentacles are blocked in the west (Russia and India), so they've spread southwards. The ASEAN bloc just rolled over for them. Myanmar, Laos, Viet Nam, Cambodia and the Philippines are all looking at major infrastructure investments from China. Thailand's one of the few countries in the world that has diplomatic relations with North Korea and we're opening a Chinese arms factory, here.
__________________
Ha! Foolmewunz has just been added to the list of people who aren't complete idiots. Hokulele

It's not that liberals have become less tolerant. It's that conservatives have become more intolerable.

Last edited by Foolmewunz; 30th April 2017 at 09:16 PM.
Foolmewunz is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 09:21 PM   #31
BobTheCoward
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 22,789
Originally Posted by logger View Post
This could be a clue for the left.

https://theconservativetreehouse.com...t-north-korea/
More evidence of how terrible a president and human being Trump is for cozying up to a man like Duterte.
BobTheCoward is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 30th April 2017, 09:41 PM   #32
WilliamSeger
Philosopher
 
WilliamSeger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,092
Originally Posted by Foolmewunz View Post
It could also be a clue for the right, but you won't get it. Trump didn't facilitate any of this. He's reacting to it.
...
Great post. And now, the Deal Artist is saying he also needs to give China favorable trade deals, sticking another knife in the back of his clueless cult.
WilliamSeger is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 1st May 2017, 07:20 AM   #33
fuelair
Banned
 
fuelair's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 58,581
Originally Posted by Tony Stark View Post
Maybe Trump wants advice on becoming a dictator.
I was thinking more taster if you get my drift and I think you do.
fuelair is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 1st May 2017, 07:25 AM   #34
pgwenthold
Penultimate Amazing
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 21,398
Actually, we have now learned more about why Trump is cosying up to the dictator of the Philippines.

There is a new Trump Tower opening there.

Oh, and btw, an unpaid White House staffer is part of the marketing campaign.

https://twitter.com/peterbrack/statu...37157279965184

(Hint: It's Ivanka on the billboard)
__________________
Gunter Haas, the 'leading British expert,' was a graphologist who advised couples, based on their handwriting characteristics, if they were compatible for marriage. I would submit that couples idiotic enough to do this are probably quite suitable for each other. It's nice when stupid people find love. - Ludovic Kennedy
pgwenthold is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 1st May 2017, 09:30 AM   #35
WilliamSeger
Philosopher
 
WilliamSeger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,092
Now Duterte is saying he might be too busy to come to the White House. The Chinese state-run press mocked Trump relentlessly after Xi rolled him at Mar-a-Lago, and now it's Duterte's turn. Seems like the only ones buying Trump's "strongman" schtick are his cult at home.
WilliamSeger is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 1st May 2017, 09:35 AM   #36
ponderingturtle
Orthogonal Vector
 
ponderingturtle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 53,184
Originally Posted by WilliamSeger View Post
"Some degree of friendliness" doesn't need to include praising him for murder.
Trump sees him as an aspirational figure of how to be a strong leader. Just like Putin.

Remember when you bring up those murders that the US has done bad things too.
__________________
Sufficiently advanced Woo is indistinguishable from Parody
"There shall be no *poofing* in science" Paul C. Anagnostopoulos
Force ***** on reasons back" Ben Franklin
ponderingturtle is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 1st May 2017, 09:37 AM   #37
TragicMonkey
Poisoned Waffles
 
TragicMonkey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Monkey
Posts: 68,744
Originally Posted by WilliamSeger View Post
Now Duterte is saying he might be too busy to come to the White House. The Chinese state-run press mocked Trump relentlessly after Xi rolled him at Mar-a-Lago, and now it's Duterte's turn. Seems like the only ones buying Trump's "strongman" schtick are his cult at home.
I haven't been to the circus much, but I'm pretty sure few mistake the clown for the strongman.
__________________
You added nothing to that conversation, Barbara.
TragicMonkey is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 1st May 2017, 09:38 AM   #38
ponderingturtle
Orthogonal Vector
 
ponderingturtle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 53,184
Originally Posted by TragicMonkey View Post
I haven't been to the circus much, but I'm pretty sure few mistake the clown for the strongman.
But he is trying so hard, who knew installing yourself as dictator was so much work?
__________________
Sufficiently advanced Woo is indistinguishable from Parody
"There shall be no *poofing* in science" Paul C. Anagnostopoulos
Force ***** on reasons back" Ben Franklin
ponderingturtle is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 1st May 2017, 09:49 AM   #39
pgwenthold
Penultimate Amazing
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 21,398
Originally Posted by ponderingturtle View Post
Trump sees him as an aspirational figure of how to be a strong leader. Just like Putin.
.
Actually, I've come to realize something about Trump. His "admiration" for other rulers is not about how they actually govern, but how they came to power. For example, I just saw a comment of Trump's praising Kim Jong-un for how young he came to power (28 or so). Kim Jong-un must be great because he was ruler at such a young age!

Similarly, Trump thinks he's great because he won. Why aren't the press all impressed with him? That's why he constantly talks about the election. He doesn't understand that getting elected is the first step in being President, and that no one is going to judge you as President on the fact you were elected. They are going to look at what you do as President, not how you got there.
__________________
Gunter Haas, the 'leading British expert,' was a graphologist who advised couples, based on their handwriting characteristics, if they were compatible for marriage. I would submit that couples idiotic enough to do this are probably quite suitable for each other. It's nice when stupid people find love. - Ludovic Kennedy
pgwenthold is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Old 1st May 2017, 09:54 AM   #40
NoahFence
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Patriot Nation
Posts: 22,131
Originally Posted by Tony Stark View Post
Maybe Trump wants advice on becoming a dictator.
Maybe?
NoahFence is offline   Quote this post in a PM   Nominate this post for this month's language award Copy a direct link to this post Reply With Quote Back to Top
Reply

International Skeptics Forum » General Topics » USA Politics

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:39 AM.
Powered by vBulletin. Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

This forum began as part of the James Randi Education Foundation (JREF). However, the forum now exists as
an independent entity with no affiliation with or endorsement by the JREF, including the section in reference to "JREF" topics.

Disclaimer: Messages posted in the Forum are solely the opinion of their authors.