Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The next four years

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  • mark taslov,

    @Linger

    Obviously some people are harder to reach than others.

    Serano attempted to unpack this when writing about this phenomena in November, though the article has its flaws.

    It’s a topic she’s been giving a lot of attention to lately for obvious reasons.

    ETA. I mixed up the links – fixed.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report

  • David Hood,

    I see Donald Trump has presidentially decreed Jan 20th, the date of his inauguration as "National Patriotic Devotion day"

    Dunedin • Since May 2007 • 1445 posts Report

  • nzlemming, in reply to David Hood,

    I see Donald Trump has presidentially decreed Jan 20th, the date of his inauguration as "National Patriotic Devotion day"

    Sweet Jumping Jesus!

    "Now, therefore, I, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 20, 2017, as National Day of Patriotic Devotion, in order to strengthen our bonds to each other and to our country - and to renew the duties of Government to the people," the order says.

    "Our Constitution is written on parchment, but it lives in the hearts of the American people," the order continues.

    "There is no freedom where the people do not believe in it; no law where the people do not follow it; and no peace where the people do not pray for it."

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report

  • Katharine Moody, in reply to nzlemming,

    It's another of those time honoured traditions of incoming presidents. Obama proclaimed his inauguration day as National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation and GW proclaimed his as National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving;

    http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2017/01/23/No-Trump-Didn-t-Just-Make-Day-He-Took-Office-National-Holiday

    Wellington • Since Sep 2014 • 798 posts Report

  • David Hood,

    The language around the day does seem to be very Trumpian though.

    Dunedin • Since May 2007 • 1445 posts Report

  • Katharine Moody, in reply to David Hood,

    Indeed - no one could say he's not true to form (I thought it a joke when they announced the inaugural dance would be to "My Way") - and so far he's "on message" i.e., fully predictable in accordance with his campaign bluster.

    Wellington • Since Sep 2014 • 798 posts Report

  • Moz, in reply to nzlemming,

    National Day of Patriotic Devotion

    Surely then they should have used "Whip It" at the inaugural dance?

    Sydney, West Island • Since Nov 2006 • 1233 posts Report

  • John Farrell,

    Trade deals with hooks:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/88712011/Trump-signals-one-on-one-NZ-trade-deal-but-English-says-his-terms-are-unattractive.

    A quote
    "United States President Donald Trump has dangled the possibility of a one-on-one trade deal, but a likely 30-day "out clause" if we "misbehave" is one reason the Government is cool on the idea."

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 499 posts Report

  • Paul Campbell,

    (only vaguely on topic)
    WILT: NZ is apparently the prime destination for the wealthy american doomsday prepper .... which I guess explains why Thiel has become a kiwi

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report

  • Rich Lock,

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Paul Campbell,

    Thiel has become a kiwi

    Thank you Matt Nippert for unveiling that development. Let's prepare for a seriously wealthy radical libertarian happy to invest large sums in political causes. Seymour must be grinning even more than usual.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    This from Josh Marshall nails it.

    The Trump White House not only leaks like crazy. It casually leaks the most intimate and humiliating details about the President - hurt feelings, ego injury, childlike behavior, self-destructive rages over tweets, media failure to credit his own grandiosity. We have simply never seen this level of leaking, with this little respect for the President's dignity or reputation, this early.

    The faithful will blame the liberal media even harder, but the truth is, it's going to be a shitshow in the media because it's a shitshow inside the tent, from well before day one. These people are going to stab each other to pieces.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • nzlemming, in reply to John Farrell,

    But English said an amended TPP and a bilateral deal would both be "quite a significant challenge" although a TPP without the US would still offer gains.

    Not sure what English is smoking, but the TPPA doesn't exist without the participation of the USA (or Japan) - it's right there in the agreement. For it to exist the agreement must be ratified by all original signatories, or (within 2 years after signature i.e. Feb 2018) ratification by at least 6 states corresponding to 85% of GDP of original signatories. This is impossible without the US. A new agreement could be negotiated by participating nations, but they would technically have to start from scratch without the US standover tactics to enforce stuff that only benefits US corporations.

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report

  • mark taslov,

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report

  • andin,

    OK Trump supporters were, maybe are still saying. Just wait and see.
    OK then, but the first week has got off to a bad start in all respects, showing no respect for- most importantly- anyone.
    Bully boy politics at its worst.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report

  • linger, in reply to andin,

    Surely they knew they'd elected a bully?

    Tokyo • Since Apr 2007 • 1944 posts Report

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to andin,

    the first week has got off to a bad start in all respects

    The first week is simply paying off the debts to those who made him president - essentially he is an indentured servant to those who funded him and this week is the biggest part of his service to them.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Tim Michie,

    Forgive me if this has been mentioned earlier but, as predicted, Media doing their job are being arrested.

    Auckward • Since Nov 2006 • 614 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to John Farrell,

    “United States President Donald Trump has dangled the possibility of a one-on-one trade deal, but a likely 30-day “out clause” if we “misbehave” is one reason the Government is cool on the idea.”

    Trump doesn't even pretend he doesn't view the rest of the planet as six billion contractors he can stiff at will whenever he feels like it. You do you, Donald, but why should anyone sign shit with the United States when, in the end, one party isn't coming to the table in good faith and the end result isn't worth the paper it's written on?

    The faithful will blame the liberal media even harder, but the truth is, it’s going to be a shitshow in the media because it’s a shitshow inside the tent, from well before day one.

    Indeed, Russell. But nobody should be even a little bit surprised because this is what happen when you give looters the key to your house and a box of matches. Spoiler: When you hand Government to people whose only political idea is that "Government is Evil and Must Be Destroyed" they're not invested in making it work. They just want to figure out what they can sell before burning the shell down for the insurance.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Farmer Green, in reply to nzlemming,

    They would revert to the last draft agreed by the founding group , before the U.S. asked to be allowed to join, followed by Japan.
    But why bother? China has plan B on the table . . . . for some time.
    And what about the "stalled" Russian agreement? Groser practically had the cork out, and then . . .

    Competitive devaluation/currency war isn't going away soon either.

    Lower North Island • Since Nov 2012 • 778 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Sacha,

    unveiling that development.

    In that photo of Trump, Pence and Thiel - Pence doesn't look that happy about who he is getting into bed with (as it were), anti-homosexual rights as he is...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • WH,

    Sweet Jumping Jesus!

    This is Raphael's Sistine Madonna of 1512, this is a book released by a very different Madonna in 1992, and this is a photograph of Maradona scoring against England in 1986.

    Since Nov 2006 • 797 posts Report

  • Farmer Green, in reply to WH,

    I still prefer the Donny Hathaway live version.

    Lower North Island • Since Nov 2012 • 778 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Well, the "Trump Dossier" story just moved on a bit. The WSJ reports that the key source (whether he knew it or not) looks like it may be Russian Trump booster and "businessman" Sergei Millian.

    The Financial Times covered Millian as a probable intermediary between the Trump campaign and Russian back in November.

    Mother Jones has a useful backgrounder which notes, among many other things:

    Millian seemed delighted to spin for Trump and push the impression he was a Trump insider. During the Republican convention, he told the Daily Beast that Trump was a "powerful, charismatic, and highly intelligent leader with a realistic approach toward Russia." He added, "I, personally, wholeheartedly support his presidential aspirations. It's been a great pleasure representing Mr. Trump's projects in Russia." But weeks later, as the Russia hacking controversy was heating up, Millian, in another exchange with the Daily Beast, downplayed his connection to Trump. And the website reported that after its reporter spoke him, Millian removed mentions of his Trump association from an online biography. It also appears that references to the Trump Organization working with the Russian-American Chamber of Commerce in the USA were at some point scraped from its website.

    The Trump camp is now claiming Trump and Millian have met only once and barely know each other.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace,

    As predicted the Dakota pipeline is back on the agenda. I think this will remain in the news for a long time as an international focus on the vital issues of climate change and indigenous rights. Unlikely to ever be finished and functioning though. I also think the so-called 'markets' will bounce around as they consider whether they like Trump's policies or not.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

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