Trump Says He Won't Run Again If He Loses In November

[Laurie!]

I think people in high places do cower to the AIPAC machine; knowing a lot of influential people in Hollywood and elsewhere are Jewish and given the atrocities of the Holocaust...Israel is indeed given a free pass in many ways. However, Jewish people as a whole are no more corrupt than Palestinians, Lebanese, Iranians, Canadians, Americans, etc.
Israel has every right to defend itself but so too does Iran, Lebanon and Gaza. Do I agree with providing Israel with weapons that are going to be used to attack civilians...no. Do I believe Israel would be wiped off the map by a corrupt Middle East regime whose sole objective is to do so if Isreal didn't receive weapons...yes. Therefore, I'm okay with giving them weapons and systems to use for the defense dome against incoming artillery. The same way I'm in favour of providing Ukraine with defense capabilities. The Ukrainian people deserve their sovereignty. I don't believe Russian civilians should be killed and so far, Ukraine has respected that so I guess I trust them to do the right thing.
Biden and Harris at least do seem to be aligned with my above opinions. I don't believe they'd be celebrating the loss of innocent lives anywhere the way Trump does and would be if Tehran were reduced to rubble.
Your negatives against Harris are flawed. Is there an AG ahead of the most populated state that hasn't rubber stamped some cases? I think it's physically impossible not to. I already told you elsewhere that when it was pointed out to Harris what the state justice office was doing with retaining prisoners, she put a stop to it. We can't just assume she knew about it.
Nervous laughter is completely normal. Harris is a criminal lawyer by trade and was/is new at world stage issues (not as pathetic as Trump still is) so of course her opinions evolve as she learns more. She wouldn't be human otherwise. I will say, she could easily have taken prominent, higher paying positions as a private attorney in California. Instead, she was a politician for the people for much less money. There's never any shame in that.

I repeat, your list of cons for a vote to Harris seem pretty paltry in comparison to the mile long list of Trump cons. You can vote for whomever you wish but nobody can say with any level of credibility that Harris is equally as bad as Trump.

 

[Frank Underwood]

I don't equate the citizens of a country with their government. Many Jews oppose Israel's genocide, just as many Americans oppose the wars our country supports. Hamas and Putin are despicable, but indefinite war is not the answer. There was an alleged peace deal in the works between Russia and Ukraine, which Boris Johnson prevented on behalf of the West. IMO, the West seems more interested in taking on Russia than it does in protecting Ukraine. As far as Israel goes, the US always does the bidding of Netanyahu.

As for Harris, you have far more faith in her than I do. I don't think she's evolved because her grasp of the issues has changed. The Democratic Party establishment is staunchly neoliberal, and they only back like-minded candidates. Neoliberal politicians never evolve and become progressives, but progressives always become neoliberals. They know how to placate the masses with platitudes, while ultimately serving their corporate and militaristic masters. Harris is the perfect empty vessel for the establishment to use.

My list of cons about Harris may seem paltry to you, but they're significant to me. I still believe that Dems like Harris are an insidious threat because they've mastered the art of civility politics. They know how to act sane and compassionate, while Trump is overtly crass, obnoxious, and reckless. However, when you scratch the surface, it becomes clear that the Democrats ultimately serve the wealthy and the military industrial complex just like the Republican do. I can't vote for Trump, but I can't vote for Harris either.

 

[Laurie!]

Harris is the perfect empty vessel for the establishment to use.

I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you weren't being sexist/misogynistic and using the term "empty vessel" because Harris never had her own child and/or she's stupid. I'll instead hope you meant it as she's a blank canvass. You'll correct me if I'm wrong.

If that's the case however, aren't you acknowledging she's not yet corrupted/tainted like Trump? After all, we can all admit to knowing the establishment eats up politicians of morality and spits them out. Isn't it up to us though to do the research on the candidates ourselves, use our own deductive reasoning and refuse to simply accept what biased news outlets feed us?? One of my pet peeves is people who just regurgitate junk the party you don't favour, spews out in the machine and ignore your own logical response or worse...ignore what you see and hear with your own damned eyes and ears.
I've seen and heard enough of Trump, his spawn and the unscrupulous cowards who cater to his every whim. I hope he loses, goes away and follows through with moving to Venezuela. I have a feeling Caracas won't discipline him with kid gloves like Americans do.

 

[Angela Channing]

There was an alleged peace deal in the works between Russia and Ukraine, which Boris Johnson prevented on behalf of the West.

I despise Boris Johnson but this just isn't true. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would not give up until all Russian military withdraws from Ukraine and additionally not until there is total restoration of Ukrainian borders to where it was prior to the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Russia have never committed to either of these conditions and definitely not to giving back Crimea as this would mean losing territory they gained prior to their invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

What is your source for this "alleged peace deal" because I think it's total nonsense?

 

[Frank Underwood]

I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you weren't being sexist/misogynistic and using the term "empty vessel" because Harris never had her own child and/or she's stupid. I'll instead hope you meant it as she's a blank canvass. You'll correct me if I'm wrong.

Yes, I meant she's a blank canvas that will do the establishment's bidding. The establishment opposes both Trump and Bernie Sanders, even though the latter is actually principled. Of course, the reason the establishment opposes them both is because they want someone who's easy to control. They can't have someone who goes off script like Trump, or someone who firmly supports progressive policies like Sanders. I believe that's why Sanders was sandbagged in the last two primaries, even though he ultimately acts as an apologist for the Dems. The neoliberal Dems dropped out and coalesced around Biden in 2020 because he was the viable establishment candidate at the time.

Also, I'm a childless male who has nothing against childless females. I know Harris has stepchildren, and despite my critiques of her politically, I'm sure she's a great stepmom.

If that's the case however, aren't you acknowledging she's not yet corrupted/tainted like Trump? After all, we can all admit to knowing the establishment eats up politicians of morality and spits them out. Isn't it up to us though to do the research on the candidates ourselves, use our own deductive reasoning and refuse to simply accept what biased news outlets feed us?? One of my pet peeves is people who just regurgitate junk the party you don't favour, spews out in the machine and ignore your own logical response or worse...ignore what you see and hear with your own damned eyes and ears.

I've seen and heard enough of Trump, his spawn and the unscrupulous cowards who cater to his every whim. I hope he loses, goes away and follows through with moving to Venezuela. I have a feeling Caracas won't discipline him with kid gloves like Americans do.

I'd love to see Trump become a distant memory myself. I just wish the Democratic Party could be reformed into the pro-social democracy/anti-war party it once was.

I don't favor either party, but I've fallen for false promises before. As someone who's against fracking and supports universal healthcare, I'm upset that Harris flipped positions. I'd also like to see a president negotiate a peace deal in Ukraine and Gaza. In contrast, Harris talks out of both sides of her mouth about a ceasefire and continued war funding.

If Harris wins and proves me wrong, I'll admit it. It just appears like Harris is trying to appease both neoliberals and progressives, but that's impossible to do. I'm sure many progressives will vote for Harris, but they'll likely just be voting against Trump. I understand that mindset, but I think neoliberals are the most enthusiastic about voting for her.

 

[Angela Channing]

It seems like Harris is trying to appease both neoliberals and progressives, but you can't serve both at the same time.

Harris has said she wants to unite America which for a country so divided inevitably means there has to be a certain amount of compromise. Her campaign is supported by both Bernie Sanders and Dick Cheney (to name just two) which suggests she is making some progress on achieving her aim. I don't think she should be criticised for this, I think she should be applauded.

 

[Frank Underwood]

I despise Boris Johnson but this just isn't true. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would not give up until all Russian military withdraws from Ukraine and additionally not until there is total restoration of Ukrainian borders to where it was prior to the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Russia have never committed to either of these conditions and definitely not to giving back Crimea as this would mean losing territory they gained prior to their invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

What is your source for this "alleged peace deal" because I think it's total nonsense?

Russia and Ukraine may have agreed on a tentative deal to end the war in April (2022), according to a recent piece in Foreign Affairs.

“Russian and Ukrainian negotiators appeared to have tentatively agreed on the outlines of a negotiated interim settlement,” wrote Fiona Hill and Angela Stent. “Russia would withdraw to its position on February 23, when it controlled part of the Donbas region and all of Crimea, and in exchange, Ukraine would promise not to seek NATO membership and instead receive security guarantees from a number of countries.”

The news highlights the impact of former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s efforts to stop negotiations, as journalist Branko Marcetic noted on Twitter. The decision to scuttle the deal coincided with Johnson’s April (2022) visit to Kyiv, during which he reportedly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to break off talks with Russia for two key reasons: Putin cannot be negotiated with, and the West isn’t ready for the war to end.

Source: Diplomacy Watch: Did Boris Johnson help stop a peace deal in Ukraine? | Responsible Statecraft

 

[Frank Underwood]

Harris has said she wants to unite America which for a country so divided inevitably means there has to be a certain amount of compromise. Her campaign is supported by both Bernie Sanders and Dick Cheney (to name just two) which suggests she is making some progress on achieving her aim. I don't think she should be criticised for this, I think she should be applauded.

Sanders and Cheney uniting equates to social democrats uniting with war mongers. Cheney's role in Iraq and Afghanistan makes him as monstrous as Trump, if not more so.

I'm not sure how folks like Sanders can make peace with such an alliance, but I can't. The only right wingers I'm comfortable uniting with are the working class/anti-war variety.

 

[Laurie!]

Sanders and Cheney uniting equates to social democrats uniting with war mongers. Cheney's role in Iraq and Afghanistan makes him as monstrous as Trump, if not more so.

I'm not sure how folks like Sanders can make peace with such an alliance, but I can't. The only right wingers I'm comfortable uniting with are the working class/anti-war variety.

Dick Cheney is right up there with Donald Rumsfeld for abhorrent war criminals. However, his daughter Liz rebuffing the current Republican establishment, took courage and wasn't self-serving. I'll give her that.
I'm certainly under no illusions that NATO allies, likely aren't upset that the brave Ukrainian people as a result of their resolve and courage have made Russia's military much weaker. Nor would NATO be upset if China's military took similar blows in Taiwan.
The bottom line is, Russia and China are/would be the bad guys. So it behooves us to provide weaponry for Taiwanese and Ukrainian defense.
With regards to the establishment not wanting Trump because they can't control the lunatic (though I think they easily control him by not leaking the goods they've got on him)...perhaps The Lincoln Project is on to something and it certainly explains Vance's kissing Trump a$$:

 

[Frank Underwood]

I thought it was odd that Trump picked a former anti-Trump guy to be his VP. It wouldn't surprise me if Vance is plotting against him, but Trump can only serve one term anyway.

Similarly, there were reports that Biden felt upset and betrayed because Harris and the leadership of the Democratic Party forced him to drop out.

Biden even put on a Trump hat at an event, which was said to be a show of unity between him and a Trump supporter. I can only imagine what Harris thought of that!

 

[Angela Channing]

Russia and Ukraine may have agreed on a tentative deal to end the war in April (2022), according to a recent piece in Foreign Affairs.

“Russian and Ukrainian negotiators appeared to have tentatively agreed on the outlines of a negotiated interim settlement,” wrote Fiona Hill and Angela Stent. “Russia would withdraw to its position on February 23, when it controlled part of the Donbas region and all of Crimea, and in exchange, Ukraine would promise not to seek NATO membership and instead receive security guarantees from a number of countries.”

The news highlights the impact of former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s efforts to stop negotiations, as journalist Branko Marcetic noted on Twitter. The decision to scuttle the deal coincided with Johnson’s April (2022) visit to Kyiv, during which he reportedly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to break off talks with Russia for two key reasons: Putin cannot be negotiated with, and the West isn’t ready for the war to end.

Source: Diplomacy Watch: Did Boris Johnson help stop a peace deal in Ukraine? | Responsible Statecraft

Rumours of a tentative peace deal are not the same as a peace deal. There was no peace deal and Boris Johnson is a buffoon who would have been incapable of playing a decisive role in events. My memory is that there were talks which made little progress because of Zelenskyy's insistence on his demands being met and Russia not willing to give back any territory it was holding, especially Crimea. Johnson did not influence the outcome.

Sanders and Cheney uniting equates to social democrats uniting with war mongers. Cheney's role in Iraq and Afghanistan makes him as monstrous as Trump, if not more so.

I'm not sure how folks like Sanders can make peace with such an alliance, but I can't. The only right wingers I'm comfortable uniting with are the working class/anti-war variety.

America uniting is better than the divisions that have been ravaging your country for ages and turbo-charged by Trump's Presidency. A President that can bring opposing sides together seems better than a President that aims to create even more division.

 

[Frank Underwood]

Rumours of a tentative peace deal are not the same as a peace deal. There was no peace deal and Boris Johnson is a buffoon who would have been incapable of playing a decisive role in events. My memory is that there were talks which made little progress because of Zelenskyy's insistence on his demands being met and Russia not willing to give back any territory it was holding, especially Crimea. Johnson did not influence the outcome.

That's why I said there was an alleged peace deal, but considering Johnson was in Kiev, I'm inclined to believe the story isn't meritless.

America uniting is better than the divisions that have been ravaging your country for ages and turbo-charged by Trump's Presidency. A President that can bring opposing sides together seems better than a President that aims to create even more division.

I'm all for healing divisions over race, religion, sexual preference, social status, and the like. However, I will never find uniting with war mongers to be a good thing.

Again, Cheney is far more monstrous than Trump as far as I'm concerned. Neither is fit for office, but Cheney has far more blood on his hands.

 

[Angela Channing]

However, I will never find uniting with war mongers to be a good thing.

You mean like Trump cosying up to Putin?

Again, Cheney is far more monstrous than Trump as far as I'm concerned. Neither is fit for office, but Cheney has far more blood on his hands.

But only one of them is running to be President and needs to be stopped.

 

[Frank Underwood]

You mean like Trump cosying up to Putin?

Yes (although he also took adverse actions against Russia that few people talk about.) I also don't like that he's cozy with Netanyahu, as are the Democrats.

But only one of them is running to be President and needs to be stopped.

I get why people want to see Trump defeated, but I'm certainly not expecting a Harris Presidency to be a win for the working class, the environment, or diplomacy by default.

All Cheney cares about is destroying nations to line his coffers. Trump wants to cut off funding for the Ukraine War, which is likely the only reason Cheney supports Harris.

 

[Laurie!]

I thought it was odd that Trump picked a former anti-Trump guy to be his VP. It wouldn't surprise me if Vance is plotting against him, but Trump can only serve one term anyway.

Similarly, there were reports that Biden felt upset and betrayed because Harris and the leadership of the Democratic Party forced him to drop out.

Biden even put on a Trump hat at an event, which was said to be a show of unity between him and a Trump supporter. I can only imagine what Harris thought of that!

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Currently Trump can only be in office for one more 4 year term. How exactly is that enshrined in your system? What I mean is, can he not change that if he wants and Republicans control both legislatures? Although, thankfully he has an expiration date with his old age.

I watched that Biden engagement in full on X (ashamed to admit I haven't left Elon's platform of hate and lies) after seeing the way right wing morons showed it out of context...as though Biden was in a full on dementia moment and unknowingly wearing a MAGA hat. The real video was actually quite cute and light hearted. It made Biden's bi-partisan abilities show because of his likability and blue collar roots.

 

[Frank Underwood]

Currently Trump can only be in office for one more 4 year term. How exactly is that enshrined in your system? What I mean is, can he not change that if he wants and Republicans control both legislatures? Although, thankfully he has an expiration date with his old age.

It would take a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress to propose an amendment, and three-fourths of state legislatures or conventions would need to ratify it.

I watched that Biden engagement in full on X (ashamed to admit I haven't left Elon's platform of hate and lies) after seeing the way right wing morons showed it out of context...as though Biden was in a full on dementia moment and unknowingly wearing a MAGA hat. The real video was actually quite cute and light hearted. It made Biden's bi-partisan abilities show because of his likability and blue collar roots.

I'm fully aware of the context of the video, but I don't think that's the kind of solidarity the Harris campaign wants as a presidential election is looming.

 

[Laurie!]

It would take a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress to propose an amendment, and three-fourths of state legislatures or conventions would need to ratify it.


I'm fully aware of the context of the video, but I don't think that's the kind of solidarity the Harris campaign wants as a presidential election is looming.

That's comforting at least.

That was such a lighthearted moment, I don't think Harris would mind at all. Biden is President of all Americans so he couldn't just snub the guy or say fu. Instead, he engaged with the guy quite humorously. That guy was closer to having a cold beer with Biden than he ever would be with Trump and he likely knows it now.
So no, I don't see it as a break in solidarity. If anything it aligns with Harris saying she wants to be a President for all Americans. She can be equally as engaging with the general public. Unlike Trump and Vance who seem like awkward stooges when speaking to voters in normal settings like grocery stores and donut shops.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Donald Trump and John Wayne both are Sun in Gemini/Leo Rising --- who can't see that?? They tend to swaggeringly burlesque their archetypal gender roles, engendering eternal popularity with their fanbase, while secretly wearing a girdle.

The females do their own version of the same thing.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

How does he know how give a blow job?