@The Liberal Badger

I don't share your opinion of Trump or what he said. I don't think he is an idiot and I do not think he is a menace, either. Not. At. All. Quite the opposite, actually. I have read several of your blogs wherein you decry and lament his Presidency. I get you're upset, and I gather you are an ex-pat living in Europe, so it is doubtful that you have any conservative friends or coworkers who do think highly of Trump and who defend him, passionately, yet I do. In fact, some of my liberal friends have gone out of there way to say that even they believe Hillary was far worse, and that we "dodged a bullet" so to speak. Hillary was clearly a war hawk. Trump is many things, but I really do not believe he is a war hawk. Hell, he likes to build things, not destroy things, that's his professional background. He does take exception to Islamic Extremist Terrorists, but so should every civilized person, I think. I respect that you have strong feelings on Trump, but I just wanted you to know, since you (along with others here) seem to speak with a presumption that everyone agrees with you, however many conservatives and liberals (liberals whom I happen to respect) do not share in your opinion or sentiment. Maybe you have been living in a somewhat sheltered or homogeneous cultural bubble, so you assume that everyone shares your opinion. I obviously do not know, and I don't mean to suggest that I do, I am merely suggesting. I, for one, was extremely impressed with the summit in Saudi he just attended which would never have occurred without him. I believe you are not giving him a fair and balanced judgement, which I, personally, have had to do when dealing with my friends, fellow students, and coworkers, many of whom are conservative. And, I never have had much respect for the idea of simply dismissing conservatives or their viewpoints anyway, nor do I think it is practical, productive, or respectful. I think it is arrogant and presumptuous to believe that our liberal opinion is superior to theirs. Personally, I strive to look at both sides of the debate, because I believe that we both can learn from each other. If you simply believe that "conservatives were duped" by Trump, I think you are doing yourself and this nation a profound disservice. Trump will be the President of the United States for at least 4 years, probably 8, if he delivers on a rejuvenated economy, and I think it is safe to say that he is doing just that. Have you seen the recent job reports? Or have you heard about the 20+ major corporations that have committed trillions to invest into the USA economy? To put it bluntly, I think you are spitting in the wind. And, if liberals, like yourself, want to demonize Trump for his strong stance against Islamic Terrorism, sooner or later, as those terrorist incidents get worse and worse, they are going to have to admit that Trump might just actually be correct, in both his perspective and his strategy. Personally, the more I listen to Trump, the more I tend to believe that he might actually be correct. At the very least, I certainly do not share in your dismissive attitude towards him, nor do I think it is wise to do so. And, maybe you think it is appropriate because you believe he is going to be impeached, but I seriously doubt that will happen. Of course, people who dismiss Trump will probably similarly dismiss me, but if you do that, you are also dismissing all of the conservatives in this nation.

@The Liberal Badger

. And, if liberals, like yourself, want to demonize Trump for his strong stance against Islamic Terrorism, sooner or later, as those terrorist incidents get worse and worse, they are going to have to admit that Trump might just actually be correct, in both his perspective and his strategy.

If Trump was against Islamic terrorism, he would have told the Saudi princes to quit funding terrorists. He would have stopped the weapons sale because of the number of people being killed in Yemen by our bombs, including cluster bombs. Hillary, Obama and everyone involved in the war of terror knows that the Saudis are the most responsible for arming, funding and training the terrorists. In one of the Wikileaks emails that they released was one that either told Hillary that they were the most responsible for terrorists, or she was the one who wrote it. Either way, it's very obvious that they know that.

I am interested about why you think this

I, for one, was extremely impressed with the summit in Saudi he just attended which would never have occurred without him.

Haven't there been other summits where people from our government met with the Saudis?

As for this statement, I'm not sure what you mean.

Or have you heard about the 20+ major corporations that have committed trillions to invest into the USA economy?

I think that amount is only billions, I could be wrong about that though. I'll look into it. Either way, those corporations will be making more weapons to use to destroy infrastructure in Yemen and on many civilians in living there. He would ask the Saudis to lift the embargo on Yemen and leave the port open so that supplies such as food and medicine. The number of people who are starving to death are also dying from cholera.

Finally, I agree that Hillary is a huge warmonger. This is one of the reasons why I am happy that she didn't win. However, Trump 'said' that he wanted to get away from nation building, but look at what he has done regarding the war of terror. He bombed the Syrian air base after he was told that Assad had used sarin gas on his citizens. Again. He didn't wait for confirmation that the gas came from Assad, he just took the military's word about it. I don't think that Assad would have used it. Not right after Trump said that he wasn't interested in regime change. Who would have benefited from using the gas? Assad or people who wanted Assad gone? He gave the generals full control of the military and softened the rules for making sure that civilians wouldn't be killed. Now the number of civilians in Iraq and Syria killed has gone way up. Over 300 in last month alone. Remember that he would bomb the families of ISIS in order to get rid of ISIS.

Anyway, this is just my opinion about Trump when it comes to the Saudis and the wars that this country is involved in.
I look forward to hear what you think.

I don't share your opinion of Trump or what he said. I don't think he is an idiot and I do not think he is a menace, either. Not. At. All. Quite the opposite, actually. I have read several of your blogs wherein you decry and lament his Presidency. I get you're upset, and I gather you are an ex-pat living in Europe, so it is doubtful that you have any conservative friends or coworkers who do think highly of Trump and who defend him, passionately, yet I do. In fact, some of my liberal friends have gone out of there way to say that even they believe Hillary was far worse, and that we "dodged a bullet" so to speak. Hillary was clearly a war hawk. Trump is many things, but I really do not believe he is a war hawk. Hell, he likes to build things, not destroy things, that's his professional background. He does take exception to Islamic Extremist Terrorists, but so should every civilized person, I think. I respect that you have strong feelings on Trump, but I just wanted you to know, since you (along with others here) seem to speak with a presumption that everyone agrees with you, however many conservatives and liberals (liberals whom I happen to respect) do not share in your opinion or sentiment. Maybe you have been living in a somewhat sheltered or homogeneous cultural bubble, so you assume that everyone shares your opinion. I obviously do not know, and I don't mean to suggest that I do, I am merely suggesting. I, for one, was extremely impressed with the summit in Saudi he just attended which would never have occurred without him. I believe you are not giving him a fair and balanced judgement, which I, personally, have had to do when dealing with my friends, fellow students, and coworkers, many of whom are conservative. And, I never have had much respect for the idea of simply dismissing conservatives or their viewpoints anyway, nor do I think it is practical, productive, or respectful. I think it is arrogant and presumptuous to believe that our liberal opinion is superior to theirs. Personally, I strive to look at both sides of the debate, because I believe that we both can learn from each other. If you simply believe that "conservatives were duped" by Trump, I think you are doing yourself and this nation a profound disservice. Trump will be the President of the United States for at least 4 years, probably 8, if he delivers on a rejuvenated economy, and I think it is safe to say that he is doing just that. Have you seen the recent job reports? Or have you heard about the 20+ major corporations that have committed trillions to invest into the USA economy? To put it bluntly, I think you are spitting in the wind. And, if liberals, like yourself, want to demonize Trump for his strong stance against Islamic Terrorism, sooner or later, as those terrorist incidents get worse and worse, they are going to have to admit that Trump might just actually be correct, in both his perspective and his strategy. Personally, the more I listen to Trump, the more I tend to believe that he might actually be correct. At the very least, I certainly do not share in your dismissive attitude towards him, nor do I think it is wise to do so. And, maybe you think it is appropriate because you believe he is going to be impeached, but I seriously doubt that will happen. Of course, people who dismiss Trump will probably similarly dismiss me, but if you do that, you are also dismissing all of the conservatives in this nation.

@The Liberal Badger

I am no Hellery fan, but tiny hands is a disaster. Doing everything possible to promote the 1%, fossil fuels, and war.

I think you are naive if you don't understand we have promoted the terrorism and expanded it with our insane wars in the ME. Sounds like you are anti-Islamic? Don't you know we colluded with the Saudis the help create ISIS?

Corporate capitalism is the root of the wars, and T-rump is a head cheerleader. Time to wake up.

I don't share your opinion of Trump or what he said. I don't think he is an idiot and I do not think he is a menace, either. Not. At. All. Quite the opposite, actually. I have read several of your blogs wherein you decry and lament his Presidency. I get you're upset, and I gather you are an ex-pat living in Europe, so it is doubtful that you have any conservative friends or coworkers who do think highly of Trump and who defend him, passionately, yet I do. In fact, some of my liberal friends have gone out of there way to say that even they believe Hillary was far worse, and that we "dodged a bullet" so to speak. Hillary was clearly a war hawk. Trump is many things, but I really do not believe he is a war hawk. Hell, he likes to build things, not destroy things, that's his professional background. He does take exception to Islamic Extremist Terrorists, but so should every civilized person, I think. I respect that you have strong feelings on Trump, but I just wanted you to know, since you (along with others here) seem to speak with a presumption that everyone agrees with you, however many conservatives and liberals (liberals whom I happen to respect) do not share in your opinion or sentiment. Maybe you have been living in a somewhat sheltered or homogeneous cultural bubble, so you assume that everyone shares your opinion. I obviously do not know, and I don't mean to suggest that I do, I am merely suggesting. I, for one, was extremely impressed with the summit in Saudi he just attended which would never have occurred without him. I believe you are not giving him a fair and balanced judgement, which I, personally, have had to do when dealing with my friends, fellow students, and coworkers, many of whom are conservative. And, I never have had much respect for the idea of simply dismissing conservatives or their viewpoints anyway, nor do I think it is practical, productive, or respectful. I think it is arrogant and presumptuous to believe that our liberal opinion is superior to theirs. Personally, I strive to look at both sides of the debate, because I believe that we both can learn from each other. If you simply believe that "conservatives were duped" by Trump, I think you are doing yourself and this nation a profound disservice. Trump will be the President of the United States for at least 4 years, probably 8, if he delivers on a rejuvenated economy, and I think it is safe to say that he is doing just that. Have you seen the recent job reports? Or have you heard about the 20+ major corporations that have committed trillions to invest into the USA economy? To put it bluntly, I think you are spitting in the wind. And, if liberals, like yourself, want to demonize Trump for his strong stance against Islamic Terrorism, sooner or later, as those terrorist incidents get worse and worse, they are going to have to admit that Trump might just actually be correct, in both his perspective and his strategy. Personally, the more I listen to Trump, the more I tend to believe that he might actually be correct. At the very least, I certainly do not share in your dismissive attitude towards him, nor do I think it is wise to do so. And, maybe you think it is appropriate because you believe he is going to be impeached, but I seriously doubt that will happen. Of course, people who dismiss Trump will probably similarly dismiss me, but if you do that, you are also dismissing all of the conservatives in this nation.

@The Liberal Badger

I'm not a democrat, nor, apparently, a "liberal" based on how that word is used these days. I've never been much for labels or joining groups, but my views are economically in line with Bernie's, and I'm resolutely anti war. My platform would be simple: peace, freedom and prosperity for all people.

I despise the Clintons and today's democrats and so-called liberals. I sure as hell don't believe a thing they say.

I recognize Trump as an extremely dangerous, deranged, idiot. He himself shows daily how incompetent and delusional he is, all by himself. He has the psyche of a teenage bully with major personal insecurities. He has no business being anywhere near the White House. We will be lucky to survive his presidency. We meaning the US as a country, and possibly even we humans as a viable species. I can easily see him being persuaded to push the nuclear button. That vision keeps me awake at night sometimes, up hugging my dogs for hours while hubby snores blissfully.

Yes I know that Hilz would have been as bad or worse, and I'd be similarly worried with "Her Unstableness" at the helm too. That's why I didn't vote for either of these dangerous evil clowns. Trump is a fucking maniac with absolutely no idea what he's doing. He has no goals other than his own wealth and power, at any cost. And he's mentally dysfunctional, at best.

I did not make ANY assumptions about you, I even noted that I do not “know” but I am merely responding to the tone of your comments which seem to assume that everyone agrees with your characterization of Trump as an “idiot” and a “menace.” I do not share in that opinion, and I am not the only liberal who does not share in that opinion. Personally, I think Trump has been unfairly demonized, and I think most liberals have simply accepted the memes and narratives that were spawned by Hillary’s campaign. After the primary, wherein I think we can all agree that Bernie was treated very unfairly, and after Comey did not recommend prosecution for a flawed reasoning, and after Lynch’s tarmac meeting with Bill, I started to listen to Trump. I ignored all of the negative propaganda and researched his actual actions and listened to his speeches. And yes, I had lengthy discussions with my conservative friends who were very knowledgeable and were very quick to point out the lies and assumptions. Hence, at this juncture, I have an open mind about him, but yes, I am also critical.

@The Liberal Badger
All this babble is NO EXCUSE not to at least attempt climate change mitigation. "Worst" case scenario is that things get worse more slowly, or perhaps don't get worse (if we get right on it and get very lucky).

If we ASS-ume it's all bullshit and do nothing, things WILL get worse - absolutely guaranteed. They ARE getting worse, and it's going faster than predicted.

We CAN'T HAVE your precious "control group" because THERE IS NO PLANET B. So by YOUR logic we should continue to risk ruining the only planet we DO have, just because we "can't prove" blah de blah de blah.

Fuck that noise.

Yes, the climate is changing. The climate is always changing, has been for billions of years. Man's influence on the climate has not, and can never be proven, not according to the principles of Scientific Proof, which requires what is called, a "control group" in order to establish a "baseline." This is required to in order to have a 100% confidence level/factor. This is what constitutes "proof" in science. Everything else is called a "theory" or an "hypothesis." If you were a Scientist or a Statistician, you would know this. So, with all due respect, it is you who should please stop with your "pseudo-scientific climate change" liberal propaganda. This is one topic where liberals want to avoid reality and deny the facts in order to promote their beliefs. I am all for protecting the environment, but liberals lose credibility when they deny facts and spew propaganda.

@The Liberal Badger

I "recognize" Trump as the only one who is not dangerous or deranged. I find him to be wise and sane and calm cool and collected.

Well, I don’t like labels either these days, however, while you say that you “recognize” A B and C about Trump, I find your characterizations of Trump are judgments influenced by a massive propaganda campaign of memes and narratives which originated with the Hillary campaign. I doubt that you have listened to dozens of Trump actual complete speeches, and unless you have done this, then you are basing your judgments on sound bites taken out of context or outright lies.

I "recognize" Trump as the only one who is not dangerous or deranged. I find him to be wise and sane and calm cool and collected. Exceedingly confident and self-assured. Yes, he posts comments in order to “play” people in order to deal with the media bs. Yes, he often “trolls” the media in order to fight the fake news. He does this because he is a brilliant genius in dealing with the media, and this same genius is how he won the Republican Primary with unprecedented ease, costing him virtually nothing, and this same genius is also how he won the general election, spending dramatically less than Hillary. So if you think he is a fool, you are deeply mistaken. He is playing you. The liberal MSM are the bullies, so Trump bullies them right back, because they deserve it. And since he is better at it, and because he has truth on his side, he wins, every single time.

EVERY TIME
This pisses people off, so they call him names out of resentment.

Look, I am not trying to argue with anyone here, I am merely informing you that many people do not agree with you, yet you are posting comments with arrogant words that presume that your judgment is shared by many, but it is not. You said that you "recognize A B C" ... please don't tell me that you "recognize" .... tell me what you believe, fine, but don't assume that your judgments are facts or are share by me. They are not.

For example... I “recognize” that he is actually the ONLY one who knows what he is doing and I also “recognize” that history will prove him correct. And I believe, the only “dangerous” “idiot” “irrational” “incompetent” “delusional” “teenage bully with major personal insecurities” are coming from what I will loosely call the “left,” along with the corporate owned RINO’s on the right, like McCain. I have yet to find a valid criticism, all that I hear are childish immature irrational name calling based on lies or half-truths. People on the left do not like that Trump is not PC, because he does not cowtow the authoritarian liberal ideology. Well, newsflash, everyone has their own ideology, that does not make them “dangerous” or “idiot” or “irrational” or “incompetent” or “delusional” or a “teenage bully with major personal insecurities” and the strategy of using those types of derogatory name calling on Trump in order to delegitimize him is the identical strategy that Hillary/DNC has been using, which she also used on Bernie, so, whether you realize it or not, you have been influenced by them, either directly or indirectly. You may not agree with the Hillary supporters, but you are mimicking their cultural disrespectful habits. We should stop using that strategy to dismiss conservatives just because we don’t agree with them, it is unproductive and insulting, and btw, will never win elections. Half of this nation disagrees with you, so you should not assume that they share in your opinion, and spewing insults like you are doing serves no purpose other than creating an even more polarized nation. NEWSFLASH: Their opinion of you is identical to your opinion of Trump, and from my analysis, with all due respect, I think they are being rational and level-headed. All of this anti-Trump hysteria is the only thing I find “deranged” today, and I believe 8 years from now, after 8 years of a Trump Administration, in 2024, I think you are going to agree with me.

@The Liberal Badger @The Liberal Badger

Not this again! Listen.

Proofs exist only in mathematics and logic, not in science.

Mathematics and logic are both closed, self-contained systems of propositions, whereas science is empirical and deals with nature as it exists. The primary criterion and standard of evaluation of scientific theory is evidence, not proof. All else equal (such as internal logical consistency and parsimony), scientists prefer theories for which there is more and better evidence to theories for which there is less and worse evidence. Proofs are not the currency of science.
...snip...
In contrast, all scientific knowledge is tentative and provisional, and nothing is final. There is no such thing as final proven knowledge in science. The currently accepted theory of a phenomenon is simply the best explanation for it among all available alternatives. Its status as the accepted theory is contingent on what other theories are available and might suddenly change tomorrow if there appears a better theory or new evidence that might challenge the accepted theory. No knowledge or theory (which embodies scientific knowledge) is final.

That, by the way, is why science is so much fun.

Gravity is also "just a theory" you know. It's not provable. In fact, I just read today that the theory of gravity Might actually be incorrect. There's no control group to prove it.

When it comes to jumping off a cliff, I'm betting you make your decisions based on your "religious belief" in the theory of gravity. No? Ok, man.

That is correct, there is no "Earth B" control group, so you cannot prove that man's actions are affecting the climate, so your response is to assume that your "belief" in your "theory" should govern actions. I, however, advocate that we invest resources in cleaning up our environment and not invest resources in your UNPROVABLE theory. Liberals have a virtual religious belief in their theory, and they vilify anyone who does not subscribe to their religion. No, it is not science. Science requires a control group. The Paris Accord was a con game designed to rip off the USA and only Trump had the nerve to call them out on it and effectively say, THE EMPORER HAS NO CLOTHES. Bravo, President Trump!