Political Roundtable Part XXXIV

[closg00]

Not sure if this latest ruling just narrowly overcoming the CONservative SCOTUS majority is something to cheer about or to dread given that it took Amy Barrett voting in favor of upholding the separation of power.

“Does a single district-court judge who likely lacks jurisdiction have the unchecked power to compel the Government of the United States to pay out (and probably lose forever) 2 billion taxpayer dollars? The answer to that question should be an emphatic ‘No,’ but a majority of this Court apparently thinks otherwise. I am stunned,” wrote Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.

What a bunch of weirdos.

What exactly does "government" mean exactly according to them?

Apparently it does not include the legislative branch and it almost certainly doesn't appear as if they believe that it is their job to hold a leader with dictatorship ambitions to account.

Is it POTUS or KOTUS, and how do you square "constitutional originalism" with viewing this republic as a constitutional monarchy?

Pearl clutching level 11 and not even a phucking legal argument, this should have been a 9-0 ruling, we are doomed.

[dobrojim]

The actions of the Trumpistas is almost enough to
get a person to root for measles.

[Kanyewest]

Elon Musk's AI Grok thinks it is 75-85% that Donald Trump is a Russian Asset

Assessing the likelihood that Donald Trump is a compromised asset of Vladimir Putin, based on publicly available information from 1980 onward, involves analyzing a complex web of financial ties, personal interactions, political behavior, and circumstantial evidence. This is not a definitive determination but an estimation grounded in patterns and data accessible as of March 4, 2025. The question highlights Trump’s consistent reluctance to criticize Putin juxtaposed against his frequent attacks on U.S. allies, which is a key behavioral indicator to consider alongside historical and financial context.

From the 1980s onward, Trump’s business dealings provide a starting point. Public records show he pursued real estate ventures with significant Russian financial involvement. In 1987, Trump visited Moscow, a trip facilitated by Soviet officials, sparking speculation about early cultivation by Russian intelligence—speculation later fueled by former KGB agent Yuri Shvets, who claimed Trump was targeted as a potential asset due to his ego and financial vulnerabilities. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, as Trump faced bankruptcies, he increasingly relied on funding from sources tied to Russia and former Soviet states. His sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, made statements reinforcing this: Donald Jr. in 2008 said, “Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets,” and Eric in 2014 claimed, “We have all the funding we need out of Russia.” The Trump Organization’s partnerships, like with the Bayrock Group (led by Tevfik Arif and Felix Sater, the latter with known Russian mafia ties), and sales of properties to Russian oligarchs (e.g., Dmitry Rybolovlev’s 2008 purchase of a Trump property for $95 million), suggest a dependency on Russian money that could create leverage.

Intelligence reports and investigations add weight. The 2017 U.S. Intelligence Community assessment concluded Putin authorized interference in the 2016 election to favor Trump, a finding supported by the Mueller Report, which, while not proving criminal conspiracy, documented extensive Trump campaign-Russia contacts (over 100 by some counts). The unverified Steele Dossier alleges kompromat from Trump’s 2013 Moscow trip during the Miss Universe pageant, a claim echoed by speculation about earlier visits. Leaked Kremlin documents reported by The Guardian in 2021 suggest Putin personally approved a 2016 operation to back Trump, viewing him as “mentally unstable” and exploitable, with potential compromising material from past Moscow visits. The disappearance of a classified binder of Russia intelligence post-Trump term, as reported by Reuters in 2023, further stokes suspicions of hidden ties. Trump’s behavior as president and beyond is striking. He has never directly criticized Putin, even when pressed—e.g., at the 2018 Helsinki summit, he sided with Putin’s denial of election interference over U.S. intelligence. Post-presidency, Bob Woodward’s 2024 book War alleges Trump spoke to Putin up to seven times, including a secretive 2024 call at Mar-a-Lago. Contrast this with his attacks on NATO allies, calling them “delinquent” on payments, or his 2025 Oval Office clash with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy, where he blamed Ukraine for Russia’s invasion—echoing Kremlin talking points. This pattern deviates from decades of U.S. policy and aligns with Russian interests, like weakening NATO and Ukraine.

Counterarguments exist: Trump’s administration imposed sanctions on Russia (e.g., over Skripal poisoning in 2018), expelled diplomats, and armed Ukraine—actions Putin wouldn’t favor. Some argue his pro-Russia stance reflects a misguided belief he can outmaneuver Putin, not compromise. Yet these measures were often driven by Congress or aides over Trump’s objections, and he downplayed their significance, maintaining personal warmth toward Putin.

Weighing this, the financial ties (decades-long, opaque, and substantial), intelligence suggesting Russian intent, and Trump’s unwavering refusal to criticize Putin despite attacking allies tilt the scale. The lack of transparency—e.g., hiding tax returns, seizing interpreter notes after Putin talks—amplifies suspicion. No smoking gun proves direct control, but the “useful idiot” scenario, where Trump’s ego and debts make him unwittingly pliable, fits the evidence. Adjusting for uncertainty and alternative explanations (e.g., ideological alignment or naivety), I estimate a 75-85% likelihood Trump is a Putin-compromised asset, leaning toward the higher end due to the consistency of his behavior and the depth of historical ties. This range reflects the strength of circumstantial evidence tempered by the absence of conclusive proof, a gap unlikely to close without classified data.

[dobrojim]

^ Is that realistic? When you look at what Golfy is doing and has done,
it may actually be the most reasonable explanation. The amazing thing is how
many Americans cannot bring themselves to believe the narrative
that reaches this conclusion because of what it says about themselves
and their own tribalism.

[queridiculo]

^ Is that realistic? When you look at what Golfy is doing and has done,
it may actually be the most reasonable explanation. The amazing thing is how
many Americans cannot bring themselves to believe the narrative
that reaches this conclusion because of what it says about themselves
and their own tribalism.

It sounds plausible to a degree, but it just doesn't track when you look at who Trump is.

One of his defining characteristics is that he is impulsive and goes with whatever his intuition is telling him in a given moment.

He lacks the discipline and conviction to be an intelligence asset, and he certainly doesn't have the stamina to keep up a ruse of this scale for any length of time.

What I do believe is that Russians know exactly who is. Through business dealings, and yeah, who knows, possibly even intelligence efforts by Moscow to learn what motivates him, and how to influence him.

This is a man that is very likely suffering from an undiagnosed learning disability.

He doesn't read, he doesn't have the patience to absorb any amount of information and solely relies on anecdotes, second hand accounts and what he sees and hears on television to shape his world view.

So when Putin is talking to Tucker on television, he's talking directly to Trump. He knows this man will believe whatever lie is being told as long as it comes across TV waves, and he almost certainly won't listen to his own military and intelligence advisors when it comes to his decision making.

There's a reason why the Russians were quick to offer their version of a rare earth deal.

Trumps transactional nature could very well throw a wrench into their efforts to get the US to withdraw military aid.

The president of the United States is just a simpleton that doesn't know any better.

A class clown and bully that learned to cover his shame by compulsively lying and by projecting strength by being cruel to other people.

[pancakes3]

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-plans-revoke-legal-status-ukrainians-who-fled-us-sources-say-2025-03-06/

Rafi, a former Afghan intelligence officer who asked to be identified only by his first name to protect family members still in Afghanistan, entered the U.S. legally in January 2024 using the CBP One mobile app at the U.S.-Mexico border. He was given a temporary humanitarian parole status that allowed him to live and work in the United States for two years.
On February 13, just over a year into that status, he was detained at a check-in appointment at an ICE office in Chantilly, Virginia. His status was revoked.

In Afghanistan, Rafi was trained by American officers and provided intelligence on “High Value Targets”, according to an October 2022 recommendation letter.

“As a result of his active efforts against the enemy, he is currently in extreme danger, and in need of assistance in departing the country,” the former CIA officer who trained him wrote.

The officer described Rafi as “truly one of the most dedicated and hardworking individuals I had the honor to serve with in Afghanistan.” Reuters reviewed the letter but was not able to reach the officer.

In the United States, Rafi applied for asylum and was scheduled for a hearing before an immigration judge in April.
At his February ICE check in - one of the conditions for his temporary status - he was asked to remove his belt and shoelaces, he said. He knew immediately what was happening, he said, and still, he asked: “Are you arresting me? I have broken no law.”
Rafi said he felt betrayed.

“When someone stands shoulder to shoulder with American troops and puts his life in danger…” he said in a phone call from detention, his voice shaking.

“I wasn't expecting this behavior from them. I wasn't expecting it.”

On February 24, his lawyer wrote to ICE asking them to release her client, noting his lack of a criminal record, that he was not a flight risk and had an active asylum case related to his work supporting the U.S. military in Afghanistan.

James Mullan, the assistant field office director at ICE’s Washington field office responded that ICE was declining to release him.
“The priorities that you mentioned in your email ended on January 20, 2025,” Mullan wrote, referring to the date of Trump’s inauguration.

[dobrojim]

ASPD, the new name for sociopathy. One of the defining characteristics is
a lack of empathy.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/antisocial-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353928

The list of symptoms sounds familiar.

[Wizardspride]

Read on Twitter

?t=t-syfEF6spZlJEqLlKRSlA&s=19

[closg00]

Read on Twitter

?t=t-syfEF6spZlJEqLlKRSlA&s=19

So Dump is finally bringing (supposedly) his pitbull to heel, let it run wild in the streets causing damage and mayhem, but now realizes it is harming him first of-course, and then the country. I wonder if it was his Chief of Staff that finally got his ear, someone staged an intervention.

[Zonkerbl]

Hm, with some help from AI and linkedin it looks like I may be able to escape the public sector entirely by moving over laterally to machine learning. Just have to learn python and apply my mastery of econometrics over to causal inference in large language models, which I should be able to at least get started doing over the next two months. I may come out of this with double the salary, we'll see.

I will still hate the evil of Trump voter's ignorant decisions forever and ever but it looks like I was actually taking a huge salary hit to try to help people, which I don't regret in the slightest. I was making more than enough money.

[Zonkerbl]

To conservative lurkers: If you want to come back here and not be called out for your evil decision to support Trump, there is one, and only one, way to make me stop doing that. It's not difficult, it takes almost zero physical effort on your part, all you have to do is fundamentally change the way you think and behave. Not as hard as it sounds.

Admit to, and apologize for, the harm your decisions caused. Make real changes to your behavior to become a person who no longer causes that kind of harm. I don't know what that means for you, you will have to figure that out for yourself.

Repent, and atone. And if you ask for forgiveness during the high holidays I am actually required by Jewish law to grant it.

I am not required to unilaterally grant forgiveness to people who have not asked for it or made any changes in the way they behave to deserve it. That is a Christian thing that makes absolutely zero sense to me, as it encourages abuse victims to meekly submit to more abuse. That's insane. But the get out of jail free card for me is to apologize, take real steps to atone for the damage that you admit you've done, and beg for forgiveness. I guarantee you I will not only forgive you but will be very nice to you from that point on. Maybe you're angry because you're down and out and lashed out out of ignorance - I'll forgive you, if you take steps to change. And all it would take in that instance is to reach out for help instead of punching down at people weaker than you. You will feel better and no one will call you evil. And Zonker will be nice to you, extra bonus. Maybe I'll be the one with an opportunity to help you out and I'll do it gladly.

https://www.amazon.com/Repentance-Repair-Making-Amends-Unapologetic/dp/0807010510

[AFM]

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/us/politics/trump-musk-doge-power.html

Inside the Explosive Meeting Where Trump Officials Clashed With Elon Musk
Simmering anger at the billionaire’s unchecked power spilled out in a remarkable Cabinet Room meeting. The president quickly moved to rein in Mr. Musk.

nice read

[closg00]

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/us/politics/trump-musk-doge-power.html

Inside the Explosive Meeting Where Trump Officials Clashed With Elon Musk
Simmering anger at the billionaire’s unchecked power spilled out in a remarkable Cabinet Room meeting. The president quickly moved to rein in Mr. Musk.

nice read

Haven't read it yet, but it sounds like the cabinet and Trump finally grew a pair.

[AFM]

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/us/politics/trump-musk-doge-power.html

Inside the Explosive Meeting Where Trump Officials Clashed With Elon Musk
Simmering anger at the billionaire’s unchecked power spilled out in a remarkable Cabinet Room meeting. The president quickly moved to rein in Mr. Musk.

nice read

Haven't read it yet, but it sounds like the cabinet and Trump finally grew a pair.

Mostly Rubio who always struck me as the odd man out

[bsilver]

To conservative lurkers: If you want to come back here and not be called out for your evil decision to support Trump, there is one, and only one, way to make me stop doing that. It's not difficult, it takes almost zero physical effort on your part, all you have to do is fundamentally change the way you think and behave. Not as hard as it sounds.

Admit to, and apologize for, the harm your decisions caused. Make real changes to your behavior to become a person who no longer causes that kind of harm. I don't know what that means for you, you will have to figure that out for yourself.

Repent, and atone. And if you ask for forgiveness during the high holidays I am actually required by Jewish law to grant it.

I am not required to unilaterally grant forgiveness to people who have not asked for it or made any changes in the way they behave to deserve it. That is a Christian thing that makes absolutely zero sense to me, as it encourages abuse victims to meekly submit to more abuse. That's insane. But the get out of jail free card for me is to apologize, take real steps to atone for the damage that you admit you've done, and beg for forgiveness. I guarantee you I will not only forgive you but will be very nice to you from that point on. Maybe you're angry because you're down and out and lashed out out of ignorance - I'll forgive you, if you take steps to change. And all it would take in that instance is to reach out for help instead of punching down at people weaker than you. You will feel better and no one will call you evil. And Zonker will be nice to you, extra bonus. Maybe I'll be the one with an opportunity to help you out and I'll do it gladly.

https://www.amazon.com/Repentance-Repair-Making-Amends-Unapologetic/dp/0807010510

Come on! Only the victim can offer forgiveness. You're not the victim of the Trump voter. Assuming you haven't been fired yet. And if you're forgiving, what about the millions of other victims? You can't forgive fir all.

[payitforward]

This is correct. All the same, Zonk can change his judgment of a person in response to changes in that person's beliefs & behaviors.

The real point is that there is no way out of the ethical corner into which Trump supporters have painted themselves except to change themselves as people.

[Wizardspride]

Read on Twitter

?t=yYtV8RoxiLxF07IAZamSug&s=19

[Zonkerbl]

No one gets to dictate to me what I am the victim of, that's nonsense. Speak for yourself.

Anyway, everyone in the US is a victim, what are you even talking about.

[AFM]

talk to em Zonk!!!!!

[dobrojim]

Golfy has never requested forgiveness
(Why should he? He's always perfect)
Nor has he ever offered anyone else
forgiveness for anything (can you say
No Empathy?).
The cruelty is the point. Many of them
have retribution in mind for all the ways
they perceive they have been wronged.