The (Semi) Official Trump Election/Inauguration thread...

[KG1]

That is a grimace, not a smile.

Yeah I'm not quite getting the "experiences of joy from the deaths" I'm more of the ironic dark humor camp. If you break down the statements of Reno and Fisher "Trump will not be President in my lifetime" followed by the comment "Both dead" it was more of an ironic dark humor musing IMO.

 

[miguel]

I voted for him, but this photo is still funny as hell.

Chinese mall features Trump-like bird - Breitbart

 

[Kutnupe14]

Congress Moving to Cut U.S. Funding to U.N. in Wake of Anti-Israel Vote

That should of been done anyway, or are we only in the UN to protect Israel?

 

[Libertarian01]

Congress Moving to Cut U.S. Funding to U.N. in Wake of Anti-Israel Vote

So we throw a tantrum when we don't get our way???

It wasn't just a little vote - it was FOURTEEN (14) out of FIFTEEN (15) votes, with ONLY the United States abstaining!

It also isn't that we disagree with the logic of the Security Council vote, it has ALWAYS been United States policy that Israel does not have a legal claim to the land they are building settlements on!!!

So why in the hell are we so bent out of shape just because it has finally been allowed to have a vote? It isn't like there are any direct consequences to this vote, although some may come down the pike later.

As an analogy we all love the work that our law enforcement officers do. However, we are willing to condemn and criticize their actions when they;

JBT citizens for no reason;
Harass law abiding gun owners;
Abuse their authority;
Excessive use of force;
Violate our civil rights;
Act in a manner that is unprofessional;
etc etc etc.

Being a good and decent civil servant gains them great admiration, respect, and kudos. What it does not do is give them a blanket pass when they cross the line.

WHY should it be any different for an allied state (aka Israel)? They are a good ally but that does not give them a blanket pass on all issues, just as we may be someones ally but that doesn't give us a blanket pass.

I have never understood this hero worship of Israel. It is like they can do no wrong to millions of Americans. I don't get it.

The territory they are settling is NOT theirs. IT has NEVER been acknowledged by us or anyone else that it is theirs. Hell, I don't even think THEY claim it as sovereign Israeli territory. (I could be wrong here.) That doesn't make it Palestinian either, but it isn't Israeli.

As far as the funding goes I truly do not understand why we simply don't divide up the costs equally? That would be the easy and equitable thing to do.

The budget for the United Nations is $5.4 billion. (Indiana's budget in 2016 was $31 billion).
There are 193 member states.

$5.4 billion divided by 193 = $28,980,000.00 per country per year. (I rounded).

That isn't much for most countries. However, it looks like there are about fourteen (14) countries who have an annual GDP of < $1 Billion. So, if we are a bit socialist and carry their water 14 * $28,980,000 = $405 million that could easily be spread across the top fifteen (15) countries that have over $1 trillion in GDP.

But the budget issue aside, why we kowtow to Israel never ceases to amaze me.

Regards and Happy New Year,

Doug

 

[Kutnupe14]

So we throw a tantrum when we don't get our way???

It wasn't just a little vote - it was FOURTEEN (14) out of FIFTEEN (15) votes, with ONLY the United States abstaining!

It also isn't that we disagree with the logic of the Security Council vote, it has ALWAYS been United States policy that Israel does not have a legal claim to the land they are building settlements on!!!

So why in the hell are we so bent out of shape just because it has finally been allowed to have a vote? It isn't like there are any direct consequences to this vote, although some may come down the pike later.

As an analogy we all love the work that our law enforcement officers do. However, we are willing to condemn and criticize their actions when they;

JBT citizens for no reason;
Harass law abiding gun owners;
Abuse their authority;
Excessive use of force;
Violate our civil rights;
Act in a manner that is unprofessional;
etc etc etc.

Being a good and decent civil servant gains them great admiration, respect, and kudos. What it does not do is give them a blanket pass when they cross the line.

WHY should it be any different for an allied state (aka Israel)? They are a good ally but that does not give them a blanket pass on all issues, just as we may be someones ally but that doesn't give us a blanket pass.

I have never understood this hero worship of Israel. It is like they can do no wrong to millions of Americans. I don't get it.

The territory they are settling is NOT theirs. IT has NEVER been acknowledged by us or anyone else that it is theirs. Hell, I don't even think THEY claim it as sovereign Israeli territory. (I could be wrong here.) That doesn't make it Palestinian either, but it isn't Israeli.

As far as the funding goes I truly do not understand why we simply don't divide up the costs equally? That would be the easy and equitable thing to do.

The budget for the United Nations is $5.4 billion. (Indiana's budget in 2016 was $31 billion).
There are 193 member states.

$5.4 billion divided by 193 = $28,980,000.00 per country per year. (I rounded).

That isn't much for most countries. However, it looks like there are about fourteen (14) countries who have an annual GDP of < $1 Billion. So, if we are a bit socialist and carry their water 14 * $28,980,000 = $405 million that could easily be spread across the top fifteen (15) countries that have over $1 trillion in GDP.

But the budget issue aside, why we kowtow to Israel never ceases to amaze me.

Regards and Happy New Year,

Doug

+10000000000000000

 

[actaeon277]

Oh boy.
I had another breakfast where I got to hear, "Trump will never be President. He's going to jail."

And I had to ask, "So, will Hillary already be there?"

They don't think my question is as funny as their statement.

 

[BugI02]

Lib01, did you support the Brits or Argentina in the Falklands conflict?

 

[jamil]

So we throw a tantrum when we don't get our way???

It wasn't just a little vote - it was FOURTEEN (14) out of FIFTEEN (15) votes, with ONLY the United States abstaining!

It also isn't that we disagree with the logic of the Security Council vote, it has ALWAYS been United States policy that Israel does not have a legal claim to the land they are building settlements on!!!

So why in the hell are we so bent out of shape just because it has finally been allowed to have a vote? It isn't like there are any direct consequences to this vote, although some may come down the pike later.

As an analogy we all love the work that our law enforcement officers do. However, we are willing to condemn and criticize their actions when they;

JBT citizens for no reason;
Harass law abiding gun owners;
Abuse their authority;
Excessive use of force;
Violate our civil rights;
Act in a manner that is unprofessional;
etc etc etc.

Being a good and decent civil servant gains them great admiration, respect, and kudos. What it does not do is give them a blanket pass when they cross the line.

WHY should it be any different for an allied state (aka Israel)? They are a good ally but that does not give them a blanket pass on all issues, just as we may be someones ally but that doesn't give us a blanket pass.

I have never understood this hero worship of Israel. It is like they can do no wrong to millions of Americans. I don't get it.

The territory they are settling is NOT theirs. IT has NEVER been acknowledged by us or anyone else that it is theirs. Hell, I don't even think THEY claim it as sovereign Israeli territory. (I could be wrong here.) That doesn't make it Palestinian either, but it isn't Israeli.

As far as the funding goes I truly do not understand why we simply don't divide up the costs equally? That would be the easy and equitable thing to do.

The budget for the United Nations is $5.4 billion. (Indiana's budget in 2016 was $31 billion).
There are 193 member states.

$5.4 billion divided by 193 = $28,980,000.00 per country per year. (I rounded).

That isn't much for most countries. However, it looks like there are about fourteen (14) countries who have an annual GDP of < $1 Billion. So, if we are a bit socialist and carry their water 14 * $28,980,000 = $405 million that could easily be spread across the top fifteen (15) countries that have over $1 trillion in GDP.

But the budget issue aside, why we kowtow to Israel never ceases to amaze me.

Regards and Happy New Year,

Doug

What is the basis for Israel's claim to that land then?

 

[Libertarian01]

Lib01, did you support the Brits or Argentina in the Falklands conflict?

I honestly do NOT recall.

In all fairness, 3.5 DECADES ago I paid less attention to politics.

Regards and Happy New Year,

Doug

 

[Libertarian01]

What is the basis for Israel's claim to that land then?

My limited understanding was that it was seized in the 1967 war. At that time they did not claim it, they simply "seized" it and have held onto it for their own security concerns.

It is also my understanding that NO nation (including the United States) has at any time acknowledged that territory as theirs.

Regards and Happy New Year,

Doug

 

[BugI02]

1967 was 5.0 DECADES ago, no?

 

[jamil]

My thoughts are, if you don't want your land taken, don't pick on someone who will take it.

 

[KLB]

Of what use is the UN to us? What do we get for all of the money we give them?

Last I knew, if you are in a war and you gain land and occupy it, it is yours. Did this change at some point? If it did, there are a lot of countries out there that need to give land back to other countries.

I personally have no special love or hate for Israel. They exist in a state of constant threat and survive against very long odds. I do admire the fact that they have done so.

So we throw a tantrum when we don't get our way???

It wasn't just a little vote - it was FOURTEEN (14) out of FIFTEEN (15) votes, with ONLY the United States abstaining!

It also isn't that we disagree with the logic of the Security Council vote, it has ALWAYS been United States policy that Israel does not have a legal claim to the land they are building settlements on!!!

So why in the hell are we so bent out of shape just because it has finally been allowed to have a vote? It isn't like there are any direct consequences to this vote, although some may come down the pike later.

As an analogy we all love the work that our law enforcement officers do. However, we are willing to condemn and criticize their actions when they;

JBT citizens for no reason;
Harass law abiding gun owners;
Abuse their authority;
Excessive use of force;
Violate our civil rights;
Act in a manner that is unprofessional;
etc etc etc.

Being a good and decent civil servant gains them great admiration, respect, and kudos. What it does not do is give them a blanket pass when they cross the line.

WHY should it be any different for an allied state (aka Israel)? They are a good ally but that does not give them a blanket pass on all issues, just as we may be someones ally but that doesn't give us a blanket pass.

I have never understood this hero worship of Israel. It is like they can do no wrong to millions of Americans. I don't get it.

The territory they are settling is NOT theirs. IT has NEVER been acknowledged by us or anyone else that it is theirs. Hell, I don't even think THEY claim it as sovereign Israeli territory. (I could be wrong here.) That doesn't make it Palestinian either, but it isn't Israeli.

As far as the funding goes I truly do not understand why we simply don't divide up the costs equally? That would be the easy and equitable thing to do.

The budget for the United Nations is $5.4 billion. (Indiana's budget in 2016 was $31 billion).
There are 193 member states.

$5.4 billion divided by 193 = $28,980,000.00 per country per year. (I rounded).

That isn't much for most countries. However, it looks like there are about fourteen (14) countries who have an annual GDP of < $1 Billion. So, if we are a bit socialist and carry their water 14 * $28,980,000 = $405 million that could easily be spread across the top fifteen (15) countries that have over $1 trillion in GDP.

But the budget issue aside, why we kowtow to Israel never ceases to amaze me.

Regards and Happy New Year,

Doug

 

[Libertarian01]

1967 was 5.0 DECADES ago, no?

You asked about the Falkland war. That was 1982. 2016 - 1982 = 34 years. (So I rounded a bit...)

Regards and Happy New Year,

Doug

 

[jamil]

Of what use is the UN to us? What do we get for all of the money we give them?

Last I knew, if you are in a war and you gain land and occupy it, it is yours. Did this change at some point? If it did, there are a lot of countries out there that need to give land back to other countries.

I personally have no special love or hate for Israel. They exist in a state of constant threat and survive against very long odds. I do admire the fact that they have done so.

This whole post is very close to how I see Isreal.

 

[BugI02]

You are commenting on land Israel captured in the 1967 war, which was 5.0 DECADES ago, in your notation

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

My limited understanding was that it was seized in the 1967 war. At that time they did not claim it, they simply "seized" it and have held onto it for their own security concerns.

It is also my understanding that NO nation (including the United States) has at any time acknowledged that territory as theirs.

Regards and Happy New Year,

Doug

I'm not saying this is authoritative and I'm no expert on this issue. But it does differ with your opinion, Doug.

https://www.conservativereview.com/...uild-homes-is-settled-under-international-law

 

[BugI02]

If 3.5 DECADES is sufficient to blur your memory in one case, one wonders that your opinion of the results of a conflict 1.43 times longer ago remains so strong

 

[Libertarian01]

My thoughts are, if you don't want your land taken, don't pick on someone who will take it.

I am not arguing.

Of what use is the UN to us? What do we get for all of the money we give them?

Last I knew, if you are in a war and you gain land and occupy it, it is yours. Did this change at some point? If it did, there are a lot of countries out there that need to give land back to other countries.

I personally have no special love or hate for Israel. They exist in a state of constant threat and survive against very long odds. I do admire the fact that they have done so.

Regarding the war / land issue - I agree. EXCEPT that you don't always claim the land.

When the United States went to war with Mexico General Scott invaded Mexico and seized their capital. It isn't ours now. We gave it back. We never claimed it and we left.

In WWII we had unconditional surrender from both Germany and Japan. We did not seize any of their territory.

Israel has been walking this ridiculous line of not claiming the land but also not leaving it.

To my thinking I agree. Claim the land as right of military conquest - OR LEAVE!

Here is an example of hypocritical thinking. Israel takes land that isn't theirs and settles it. But that is OK and we are fine with it, 'cause friends and such.

Russia reclaim Crimea that used to be theirs. Russia has the gall to claim what was once theirs as their again. But that isn't OK and we don't like, 'cause Putin bully an' such. Is that about right?

Regards and Happy New Year,

Doug

 

[KG1]

Of what use is the UN to us? What do we get for all of the money we give them?

Last I knew, if you are in a war and you gain land and occupy it, it is yours. Did this change at some point? If it did, there are a lot of countries out there that need to give land back to other countries.

I personally have no special love or hate for Israel. They exist in a state of constant threat and survive against very long odds. I do admire the fact that they have done so.

Well it appears that the Obama administration and the dems have been trying to give land back to the Mexicans.