The Second Term of Donald J. Trump as President of the United States of America
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Shiftless2
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Thus Trump demonstrating his partisan spite is a higher priority than U.S. national security, or even the success of his own administration.
Trump?
A few in Trump's coterie may be able to read a stop sign without moving their lips, but Trump has not impressed me with his literary acumen.
Trump claims a book. Did Trump write any part of it?
Tony Schwartz (born May 2, 1952) is an American journalist and business book author who is best known for ghostwriting Trump: The Art of the Deal. More from Wikipedia
The FOX News headline is:
Another judge tries to stand in the way of Trump's fight to follow the law
I followed the link to: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/800000-noncitizens-could-soon-voting-new-york-citys-electionsdidn't find a report consistent with the headline.
“I like thinking big. I always have. To me it’s very simple: If you’re going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big.”—Donald J. Trump
Trump: The Art of the Deal|Paperback
#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • President Donald J. Trump lays out his professional and personal worldview in this classic work—a firsthand account of the rise of America’s foremost businessman.“Donald Trump is a deal maker. He is a deal maker the way lions are...
www.barnesandnoble.com
Steve Bannon pleads guilty in New York 'We Build the Wall' case
By Adam Reiss and Dareh GregorianUnder the terms of the plea agreement, the former Trump White House adviser will not be sentenced to any jail time.
Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, pleaded guilty Tuesday on a fraud charge in a case alleging he helped defraud donors who were giving money to build a wall at the southern U.S. border.
In exchange for the guilty plea, he agreed to a conditional discharge and waived his right to appeal.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, the former Trump White House adviser will not be sentenced to any jail time.
Bannon was sentenced to three years conditional discharge. He will not be allowed to serve as an officer or director of a charity or any charitable organization in New York State or any fundraising or not for profit organizations in New York State. He will not be allowed to receive or hold assets for any charitable organizations.
Steve Bannon pleads guilty in New York 'We Build the Wall' case
Under the terms of the plea agreement, the former Trump White House adviser will not be sentenced to any jail time.
www.nbcnews.com
A REUTERS SPECIAL REPORT
China has forged nearly two-dozen pacts with African nations in its bid to surpass the U.S. in space. Investments in satellites and infrastructure are winning friends – and giving China more eyes on the skies – as America slashes help for developing countries.
On the outskirts of Cairo, a cutting-edge space lab was supposed to be the first in Africa to produce homegrown satellites. Step inside the plant, though, and the made-in-Africa image begins to fade.
Satellite equipment and parts arrive in crates from Beijing. Chinese scientists scan space-tracking monitors and deliver instructions to Egyptian engineers. A Chinese flag hangs from one wall. The first satellite assembled at the factory, hailed as the first ever made by an African nation, was built mainly in China and launched from a spaceport there in December 2023.
The Egyptian satellite lab is the latest advancement in China’s secretive overseas space program. Beijing is building space alliances in Africa to enhance its global surveillance network and advance its bid to become the world’s dominant space power, Reuters has learned. China has publicly announced much of this space assistance to African countries, including its donations of satellites, space monitoring telescopes and ground stations. What it hasn’t discussed openly, and which Reuters is reporting for the first time, is that Beijing has access to data and images collected from this space technology, and that Chinese personnel maintain a long-term presence in facilities it builds in Africa.
Bottom line:
Trump understands about half of "carrot and stick" diplomacy. Trump understands the "stick" part, with the grasp of a schoolyard bully.
Apparently Trump either doesn't understand the tactics he's using during his nascent 2nd term has catalyzed the cohesion of U.S. opponents, including those most perilous, China, Russia, & in the Middle East.
It may appear grim now.
But Trump may well be sowing the seed of future calamity that my not merely match or rival the attacks of 09/11/01, but may even literally be "out of this world".
China builds space alliances in Africa as Trump cuts foreign aid
REUTERS / By Joey Roulette, Eduardo Baptista, Sarah El Safty and Joe BrockFebruary 11, 20256:00 AM GMT-5China has forged nearly two-dozen pacts with African nations in its bid to surpass the U.S. in space. Investments in satellites and infrastructure are winning friends – and giving China more eyes on the skies – as America slashes help for developing countries.
On the outskirts of Cairo, a cutting-edge space lab was supposed to be the first in Africa to produce homegrown satellites. Step inside the plant, though, and the made-in-Africa image begins to fade.
Satellite equipment and parts arrive in crates from Beijing. Chinese scientists scan space-tracking monitors and deliver instructions to Egyptian engineers. A Chinese flag hangs from one wall. The first satellite assembled at the factory, hailed as the first ever made by an African nation, was built mainly in China and launched from a spaceport there in December 2023.
The Egyptian satellite lab is the latest advancement in China’s secretive overseas space program. Beijing is building space alliances in Africa to enhance its global surveillance network and advance its bid to become the world’s dominant space power, Reuters has learned. China has publicly announced much of this space assistance to African countries, including its donations of satellites, space monitoring telescopes and ground stations. What it hasn’t discussed openly, and which Reuters is reporting for the first time, is that Beijing has access to data and images collected from this space technology, and that Chinese personnel maintain a long-term presence in facilities it builds in Africa.
Bottom line:
Trump understands about half of "carrot and stick" diplomacy. Trump understands the "stick" part, with the grasp of a schoolyard bully.
Apparently Trump either doesn't understand the tactics he's using during his nascent 2nd term has catalyzed the cohesion of U.S. opponents, including those most perilous, China, Russia, & in the Middle East.
It may appear grim now.
But Trump may well be sowing the seed of future calamity that my not merely match or rival the attacks of 09/11/01, but may even literally be "out of this world".
Shiftless2
Well-known member
Re #143 and non-citizen voting - it's been law for at least a century that non-citizens cannot vote in federal elections (and since 1996 it's been a crime punishable by fines and imprisonment).
That said, there is a number of municipalities where non-citizens can vote in local election - the NY law, at least as quoted, doesn't seem to say that they can't vote in the city's elections - instead it only says that citizens can vote. This is one of those cases where the letter of the law may not be what the drafters wanted. Or maybe it is.
That said, there is a number of municipalities where non-citizens can vote in local election - the NY law, at least as quoted, doesn't seem to say that they can't vote in the city's elections - instead it only says that citizens can vote. This is one of those cases where the letter of the law may not be what the drafters wanted. Or maybe it is.
In some cases law may simply be poorly written, vague, or ambiguous. Legislator incompetence.
Perhaps in some other cases, such as when the legislature that produces them is both evenly, and contentiously divided, they do the best they can, and leave it to the courts to determine "settled" law.
On voting access / eligibility:
Government is a protection racket, much as the mafia is fabled to run such schemes. The mafia breaks your legs, the government throws you in the dungeon.
Pay the mafia, it's called "protection".
Pay the government it's called "taxation".
None the less, many an "illegal" alien pays taxes. In such cases, have they not paid the entrance fee to the ballot box?
Related:
Felons, citizens that have been convicted of serious crime, and satisfactorily completed their court-ordered sentence are among us.
Should they be allowed to vote?
Should they be allowed to own / carry a gun?
Should they be allowed to have a valid driver's license?
Should they be allowed to work in schools? With children?
PBS reports this week the Trump administration's DOJ has dropped corruption charges against NYC Mayor Adams without prejudice, meaning:
the charges can be refiled later, on DOJ initiative.
Trump may view Adams as a potential ally in Trump's anti-illegal alien campaign.
But this legal latitude to refile corruption charges against Adams presents at least the appearance DOJ is holding coercive incentive against Adams,
unless the NYC mayor performs to Trump administration liking.
the charges can be refiled later, on DOJ initiative.
Trump may view Adams as a potential ally in Trump's anti-illegal alien campaign.
But this legal latitude to refile corruption charges against Adams presents at least the appearance DOJ is holding coercive incentive against Adams,
unless the NYC mayor performs to Trump administration liking.
Shiftless2
Well-known member
Republican Senator Breaks With JD Vance Over Supreme Court
Story by Sonam ShethThe Context
The Trump administration has been dealt a series of legal blows over the last several weeks as judges across the country issued rulings or temporary orders blocking the president from unilaterally firing civil servants, freezing federal funding, ending birthright citizenship, pushing federal workers to resign en masse and cutting billions of dollars in funding for health research grants.A majority of these cases are still making their way through the courts and it's likely at least some of them will end up before the Supreme Court.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance introduces Howard Lutnick, U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee for Commerce Secretary, during his Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation confirmation hearing in the Russell Senate Office Building on January 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images© Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images
What To Know
Vance stirred controversy when he suggested on Sunday that "judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power."His comments came after a federal judge halted the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive payment systems within the Treasury Department.
"If a judge tried to tell a general how to conduct a military operation, that would be illegal," Vance wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "If a judge tried to command the attorney general in how to use her discretion as a prosecutor, that's also illegal."
It's not the first time the vice president—and former senator—has challenged the judiciary's role and the separation of powers.
In 2021, he said on a right-wing podcast that if then-former President Donald Trump got reelected, he should "fire every midlevel bureaucrat, every civil servant in the administrative state," adding, "When the courts—because you will get taken to court—and when the courts stop you, stand before the country like Andrew Jackson did and say: 'The chief justice has made his ruling. Now let him enforce it.'"
Business Insider's Bryan Metzger asked Hawley on Tuesday if he ....
CONTINUED
Shiftless2
Well-known member
Married Women Could Be Stopped From Voting Under SAVE Act
By Sophie ClarkThe Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act could prevent many married women from being able to register to vote.
The act, reintroduced by Texas Republican Representative Chip Roy, is intended to amend the National Voter Registration Act to ensure that all people registering to vote are U.S. citizens. It would require people to present in-person documentation as proof of citizenship when registering to vote.
Much of the documentation listed under the SAVE Act is based on having a birth certificate that matches the person registering to vote. However, as many as 69 million married women in the United States have changed their legal name since getting married, meaning their name does not match their birth certificate, per the Center for American Progress.
Why It Matters
The United States is a democracy, meaning all citizens, with the exception of children and some felons, have the right to vote. The SAVE Act would make it significantly harder for married women, as well as many other members of the population, to exercise their right to vote as Americans.If they do not have a passport, which nearly 146 million people in the U.S. do not have, it will be much more difficult for those who have changed their name to register to vote under the SAVE Act.
It is also already illegal to ....
Married women could be stopped from voting under SAVE Act
The act could affect whether married women without passports are able to register to vote.
www.newsweek.com
Accepting the U.S. vice-presidency shares similarity to buying a lottery ticket.
The potential reward, becoming president without being elected directly to the post may be desired. Vance tried and failed to reach the presidency on his own. Failed.
But serving, doing the bidding of a madman like Trump results in radical behavior the scale of which we might otherwise expect more likely in a heroin addict undergoing withdrawal.
Fine.
Married women may not hold an electoral majority. BUT:
Don't females? Could they not have spared us all?
Shiftless2
Well-known member
Google Maps now shows Gulf of America, removes Pride, Black History months
By Katie ScottIt’s official: Google has now changed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in Google Maps for U.S. users, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order to change the name of the body of water.
During Trump’s inaugural address in January, he said he would change the name of the gulf.
“A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America,” he said.
Hours later he signed an executive order to do it.
In a post on X on Jan. 27, Google said it has “a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.” The company said Maps will reflect any updates to the Geographic Names Information System, a database of more than one million geographic features in the United States.
On Monday, Google followed the updated site listing in ....
Google Maps now shows Gulf of America, removes Pride, Black History months - National | Globalnews.ca
Google's online and mobile calendars in the U.S. no longer include references to the first day of Black History Month or Pride Month, among other events.
globalnews.ca
Shiftless2
Well-known member
Trump threatens Canadian cars with tariffs up to 100%
By Uday RanaAs Canada braces for 25 per cent U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, U.S. President Donald Trump says he is considering an additional tariff on Canadian-made cars, which could be as high as 50 to 100 per cent.
In an interview with Fox News on Monday, Trump said Canada “stole” the automobile industry from the United States.
“If you look at Canada, Canada has a very big car industry. They stole it from us. They stole it because our people were asleep at the wheel,” Trump said.
He added, “If we don’t make a deal with Canada, we’re going to put a big tariff on cars. Could be a 50 or 100 per cent because we don’t want their cars. We want to make the cars in Detroit.”
1:30‘The effects will be devastating’: Projected tariffs, layoffs spark calls for worker support
The automobile manufacturing sector and its supply chain in Canada and the United States have been deeply integrated since the 1960s.
In 1965, former prime minister Lester B. Pearson and former U.S. president Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Canada–United States Automotive Products Agreement, commonly known as the Auto Pact.
The agreement removed tariffs on cars and car parts between the two countries.
This was in effect until 1994, when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) went into effect, extending free trade to all sectors, not just car manufacturing.
In 2018, NAFTA was replaced by the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which is up for re-negotiation in 2026.
Trump on Monday signed a pair of presidential proclamations imposing 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum, with no exceptions or exemptions.
“It’s a big deal. This is the beginning of making America rich again,” Trump said as he signed the orders in the Oval Office.
The Trump administration said the move was meant to shore up the U.S. steel and aluminum industries and to protect America’s economic and national security.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ottawa will work to convince Trump that his steel and aluminum tariffs will hurt both countries.
A senior government source told Global News on Tuesday that Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc is heading to Washington, D.C. later in the day and will meet with Howard Lutnick, Trump’s pick to run the U.S. Commerce Department, on Wednesday.
SHUTDOWN IMMINENT, WARNS INDUSTRY
Industry voices are warning that a tariff on Canadian-made cars could lead to a shutdown of the entire North American auto industry.“Last week, when we thought we were ...
Trump threatens Canadian cars with tariffs up to 100% - National | Globalnews.ca
In an sit-down interview with Fox News, U.S. President Donald Trump said Canada “stole” the automobile industry from the United States.
globalnews.ca
Bull !
in a china shop.
Didn't Trump campaign on reducing the price of eggs? The reports I've received indicate egg prices are increasing rapidly.
Shiftless2
Well-known member
But the important thing is a few trans kids can't play school sports.
Plenty to criticize Trump about.
Not having priorities, not on the list.
Updated Feb. 13, 2025, 3:40 PM GMT-5 / By NBC News
What's going on today
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's nominee for health secretary, was confirmed by the Senate in a largely party-line vote, delivering the president another Cabinet victory. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., a childhood polio survivor, joined Democrats in voting against Kennedy.Shiftless2
Well-known member
An open letter written by a Florida judge about the CANADA/USA relationships & history.
By Robert Meadows (Circuit Court Judge, Florida).
Here is one American’s take on the growing trade war with the US and Canada.
"Have you ever stopped to consider how lucky we Americans are to have the neighbors we have? Look around the globe at who some folks have been stuck sharing a border with over the past half century:
North Korea / South Korea
Greece / Turkey
Iran / Iraq
Israel / Palestine
India / Pakistan
China / Russia
"We’ve got Canada! Canada. About as inoffensive a neighbor as you could ever hope for. In spite of all our boasts of “American exceptionalism” and chants of “America first,” they just smile, do their thing and go about their business. They are on average more educated, have a higher standard of living, free health care, and almost no gun problems. They treat immigrants respectfully and already took in over 35,000 Syrians in the last two years.
"They’re with us in NATO, they fought alongside us in World War I, World War II, Korea, the Gulf War, the Bosnian War, Afghanistan, the Kosovo War and came to our defense after 9/11. There was that one time when Canada took a pass on one of our wars: Vietnam. Turned out to be a good call.
"They’ve been steady consumers of American imports, reliable exporters of metals and petroleum products (they are the biggest importer of U.S. products from 37 states), and partnered with NASA in our space missions.
"During 9/11 many aircraft were diverted to Newfoundland, an island province off Canada's east coast where Americans were housed in people's homes for two weeks and treated like royalty. In return for their hospitality, this administration slapped a 20% tariff on the products of Newfoundland's only paper mill, thereby threatening it's survival.
"And what do Canadians expect of us in return? To be respected for who and what they are: Canadians. That’s what I call a good neighbor.
"But the King of Chaos couldn’t leave well enough alone. Based on his delusions of perpetual victimhood, out of the clear blue, he’s declared economic war on Canada. On CANADA! And he did it based on Canada being a national security risk to the US! For no good reason, other than the voices in his head that told him it was a war he could win. So why not do it, then?
"Again, we’re talking about Canada. Our closest ally, friend and neighbor.
"On behalf of an embarrassed nation, people of Canada, I apologize for this idiotic and wholly unnecessary attack. Please leave the back channels open. We the People of progressive persuasion stand with you."
All reaction
Shiftless2
Well-known member
Ford CEO Farley: Lasting 25% tariff on Canada, Mexico would 'blow a hole' in US auto industry
Jamie L. LaReau- Farley argues that tariffs would benefit foreign competitors and disrupt the industry's transition to electric vehicles.
- Farley expresses concern over the potential repeal of parts of the Inflation Reduction Act, which could impact Ford's investments in electric vehicle production.
While Trump has talked about strengthening the U.S. auto industry, which would be a signature accomplishment, "So far what we're seeing is a lot of cost and a lot of chaos," Farley said.
"Let's be real honest: Long term, a 25% tariff across the Mexico and Canada borders would blow a hole in the U.S. industry that we've never seen," Farley said. "Frankly, it gives free rein to South Korean, Japanese and European companies that are bringing 1.5 million to 2 million vehicles into the U.S. that wouldn't be subject to those Mexican and Canadian tariffs. It would be one of the biggest windfalls for those companies ever."
Wednesday's trip to Washington will be the second time Farley has gone there in three weeks, he said, to address ....
CONTINUED
Shiftless2
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Accenture rolls back DEI goals to comply with Trump’s EOs
finance.yahoo.com
Accenture rolls back DEI goals to comply with Trump’s EOs
CEO Julie Sweet said the company would end its employee diversity representation goals and put “a greater focus on inclusion and a sense of belonging for all,” in an internal memo.
finance.yahoo.com
As pappy said: "Damned with faint praise."
It's difficult to imagine a more reliable, more faithful, more constructive U.S. neighbor, friend, and partner than Canada / Canadians.
Trump's unilateral punitive contempt conclusively demonstrates one U.S. citizen doesn't appreciate that.
The immediate consequences of this are fairly obvious.
The insidious consequence includes, friendship is based on trust. President Trump has demonstrated Canada simply cannot trust the U.S.
That foretells foreboding far beyond the price of SUV's. Canada was also an intelligence partner, and military ally.
Thanks George.
This what happens when the president of the United States obtains his basic introduction to economic fundamentals O.J.T.
Why is Donald Trump discontinuing the penny?
The one cent coin costs more to produce than its value and is nearly obsolete in retail. But it has its supporters.Why the push to retire the coin?
Despite being worth only one cent, each penny costs nearly four cents to produce, according to the US Mint. That’s due to the cost of the raw material – mostly zinc – and the moulding process.Some 3.2 billion pennies were minted in 2024, meaning a production cost of $12.8bn.
Why is Donald Trump discontinuing the penny?
The one cent coin costs more to produce than its value and is nearly obsolete in retail. But it has its supporters.
The originally Copper U.S. penny material cost exceeded face value for decades. Thus the metal content change from Copper to Zinc.
Trump didn't invent the idea. The Canadian penny has reportedly been out of production for over a decade.
We can welcome the outsider's view on domestic U.S. news. - but -
Thanks Al. But by my math 3.2B x $0.04 = $128,000,000.oo
not "$12.8bn".
Thanks for the insight, but ... you shilling for Trump? Already?