Donald I, emperor of the world.

[briantrumpet]

To get a perspective on the WH demolition, imagine a UK Prime Minister demolishing part of Downing Street without permission from either parliament or the planning authorities, and having, say, a swimming pool extension built paid for by private donors who haven't been disclosed.

It's utterly insane. From Trump's POV, it's great, as not only will he have a completely tasteless royal banqueting hall covered in bling, but equally importantly he's winding up all those lefties who were under the misapprehension that the White House isn't a palace that belongs to the monarch, but is the property of the American people.

 

[secretsqirrel]

To get a perspective on the WH demolition, imagine a UK Prime Minister demolishing part of Downing Street without permission from either parliament or the planning authorities, and having, say, a swimming pool extension built paid for by private donors who haven't been disclosed.

It's utterly insane. From Trump's POV, it's great, as not only will he have a completely tasteless royal banqueting hall covered in bling, but equally importantly he's winding up all those lefties who were under the misapprehension that the White House isn't a palace that belongs to the monarch, but is the property of the American people.

His recent visit to Windsor Castle obviously made a great impression.

 

[Pinno718]

I suspect he also used the "I'm not aware of that" line too, which he trots out every time there's something that implicates Republicans in bad stuff. Reporters ought to start pressing him and pointing out that it is his responsibility as an elected politician to be aware of stuff that's going on. After all, he's not doing and Congress work at the moment, so he's got plenty of time on his hands.

Yes he did. But to be fair, the reporter did ask him 'are you aware that...?'.
They do not know what the f*ck is going on. Surely you have advisors who will anticipate questions and advisors with ear pieces that will pick up last minute developments on anything so that they are prepared?
They are a gaggle of @rseholes. Grindr Mikey lives with a pastor of very questionable politics whilst in DC, spouts the Christian sh*t and then goes dating men in hotel rooms through Grindr (even though he is married with kids). Coverup upon cover upon cover up.
Do the Mikey's and the Bessent's realise that once the MAGA's have done with brown and black people having put the watermelons in their place, the brownshirts will come looking for them?
That's the potential.

I do not know if that will happen* but the mere fact that the Christian fundamentalists are inherently homophobic.

*Big MAGA splits with Shapiro having a spat with other right wing influencers. Even the racist, fascistic Nick Fuentes is slamming the administration over the Epstein cover up. Joe Rogan is in a permanent state of 'I don't know who I bat for anymore'. MTG getting a hell of a lot stick over her new found moral stance (?!?!) and her determination to... wait for it: 'work on behalf of her constituents' as the government shutdown affects affordable care cuts and siding with Epstein victims.

 

[Pinno718]

Oh and I am going to chuck a question out there (no Googling). What is the difference between Obama care and the affordable care act?

 

[Poacher]

Oh and I am going to chuck a question out there (no Googling). What is the difference between Obama care and the affordable care act?

They're one and the same, but CXRandy is OK with ACA while hating Obamacare. Do I win?

 

[Pinno718]

They're one and the same, but CXRandy is OK with ACA while hating Obamacare. Do I win?

Yes indeed. When a random bunch of (white) Americans were asked - 'which do you prefer, Affordable care or Obama care?' They universally said 'affordable care' because 'it's better', 'it's cheaper'...

 

[Poacher]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8w3o6oKxQHI&list=RD8w3o6oKxQHI&start_radio=1

 

[Psamathe]

To get a perspective on the WH demolition, imagine a UK Prime Minister demolishing part of Downing Street without permission from either parliament or the planning authorities, and having, say, a swimming pool extension built paid for by private donors who haven't been disclosed.

But then look at Johnson's redecoration og the PM's Downing Street flat.

Or that PMs get £30k per year from us taxpayers to spend on their living quarters. Maybe better that the money comes from others rather than "hard working people". And with all the backhander gifts from lobbying private companies, "revolving door" (business appointments), etc., regular ongoing failures to declare, donations passed through 3rd parties or family, etc. "knowing" sources of funds seems subject to obfuscation.

As you highlight it would be far better were there more transparency but in that regard maybe UK has a very very long way to go (eg Royal Family tax and income ...).

In terms of US, buying influence by contributing to eg White House ballroom is daft as Trump will have forgotten your name after 10 mins let alone that you put in £10m to one of his follies.

 

[All uphill]

But then look at Johnson's redecoration og the PM's Downing Street flat.

Or that PMs get £30k per year from us taxpayers to spend on their living quarters. Maybe better that the money comes from others rather than "hard working people". And with all the backhander gifts from lobbying private companies, "revolving door" (business appointments), etc., regular ongoing failures to declare, donations passed through 3rd parties or family, etc. "knowing" sources of funds seems subject to obfuscation.

As you highlight it would be far better were there more transparency but in that regard maybe UK has a very very long way to go (eg Royal Family tax and income ...).

In terms of US, buying influence by contributing to eg White House ballroom is daft as Trump will have forgotten your name after 10 mins let alone that you put in £10m to one of his follies.

If you dangle sweeties in front of a toddler like Trump he will probably be compliant for a few weeks. Eventually you will have to hand over the goodies and then he will forget you.

In other words it's the anticipation that brings compliance, not delivery

 

[Bazzer]

Imagine shutting the whole government down over the Epstein files. If this is in fact the reality, imagine the collective power and money behind this move. Little Grindr Mikey must be getting money + pressure.

Republicans are dressing up the shutdown as a result of Democrats being against changes to the affordable care act, but as I see it, it is a Republican issue.
Generally speaking, Republicans are against the affordable care act, but there are a number of Republican Senators, (13?), who are concerned about the reduction to the tax credits in the "big beautiful bill" and the impact this will have. I. e. Healthcare premiums will soar. Republicans in the Senate have a majority of 5, so they have a problem.
The cynic in me suspects a number of the Republicans are also looking at their reelection prospects.
Therefore the regime has problems in both the Senate and the House. The shutdown kicks those problems down the road. - At least for time being.

 

[Pinno718]

Therefore the regime has problems in both the Senate and the House. The shutdown kicks those problems down the road. - At least for time being.

There were noises about the effects of the premium hike and cuts only biting after the mid terms and this was a deliberate move. That has back fired as people are getting estimates on renewals -way before the mid terms.

 

[Pinno718]

But then look at Johnson's redecoration og the PM's Downing Street flat.

Or that PMs get £30k per year from us taxpayers to spend on their living quarters. Maybe better that the money comes from others rather than "hard working people". And with all the backhander gifts from lobbying private companies, "revolving door" (business appointments), etc., regular ongoing failures to declare, donations passed through 3rd parties or family, etc. "knowing" sources of funds seems subject to obfuscation.

As you highlight it would be far better were there more transparency but in that regard maybe UK has a very very long way to go (eg Royal Family tax and income ...).

In terms of US, buying influence by contributing to eg White House ballroom is daft as Trump will have forgotten your name after 10 mins let alone that you put in £10m to one of his follies.

£30k pa is nothing compared to the $250m ball room cost.
Not that I am justifying the expense.

 

[Beebo]

£30k pa is nothing compared to the $250m ball room cost.
Not that I am justifying the expense.

Also. Wall paper is easily reversible and doesn’t require planning permission.

 

[briantrumpet]

But then look at Johnson's redecoration og the PM's Downing Street flat.

Or that PMs get £30k per year from us taxpayers to spend on their living quarters. Maybe better that the money comes from others rather than "hard working people". And with all the backhander gifts from lobbying private companies, "revolving door" (business appointments), etc., regular ongoing failures to declare, donations passed through 3rd parties or family, etc. "knowing" sources of funds seems subject to obfuscation.

As you highlight it would be far better were there more transparency but in that regard maybe UK has a very very long way to go (eg Royal Family tax and income ...).

In terms of US, buying influence by contributing to eg White House ballroom is daft as Trump will have forgotten your name after 10 mins let alone that you put in £10m to one of his follies.

Johnson was awful, and had the same attitude about laws and rules not applying to him, as far as he could take it. Thankfully, he didn't take it as far as Trump, firstly as his prorogation was declared illegal by the independent Supreme Court (which he couldn't stack, unlike Trump has done in the US), the PM doesn't have presidential powers, and HoC & HoL (as well as - theoretically - the monarchy) didn't roll over like Congress has under the Republicans, who could put a stop to this in a single day.

I think the East Wing is as much about Trump just pushing the boundaries even further in the most public way he can: it is extremely symbolic, intentionally so.

 

[briantrumpet]

West Wing next? Perhaps someone ought to check on Melania, in case he's burying her in the rubble, along with the last vestiges on the Constitution.

Wait for Republicans to say that the East Wing was neither historical nor of any architectural merit whatsoever.