Trump's Cabinet of Deplorables
By Thom Hartmann A...
After he met with President Obama the day after the election and actually behaved himself for more than an hour, some people out there -- people who apparently have not been paying attention for the past year-and-a-half -- began to talk about how Trump might not be that dangerous after all.
The racism and bigotry he displayed on the campaign trail - these people said - was just a cynical ploy to dupe voters into electing someone who was really just a moderate Republican.
Boy, were they wrong.
The Trump administration is now shaping up to be a real basket of "deplorables" in every sense of the word.
First, Trump picked Steve Bannon, the former head of white nationalist website Breitbart News to be his chief strategist.
That alone should have raised alarm bells across Washington because Breitbart regularly runs stories about evil Muslims coming to take your town, feminism making women ugly, and the greatness of the Confederate flag.
But the Bannon pick was just the beginning.
Now Trump has added three more "deplorable" figures to his administration: Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, Kansas Congressman Mike Pompeo, and Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions.
Flynn, who'll serve as Donald Trump's national security advisor. is a raging Islamophobe who's said on Twitter that fear of "Muslims is rational."
His views on Islam are so extreme that President Obama actually had to fire him from the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Mike Pompeo, who Trump wants to be his CIA Director, is another far-right hawk.
He's an original member of the Tea Party, and thinks Edward Snowden should be executed.
And then there's Jeff Sessions, Trump's pick for Attorney General.
Jeff Sessions, whose full name is Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III - is one of the Senate's leading voices against immigration of all types, and has a history of making bigoted statements like "I thought the KKK were OK until I learned they smoked marijuana."
I'm not kidding, he's seriously supposed to have said that. It's one of the reasons the Senate decided in 1986 that he was too racist to be a federal judge.
Not too racist, however, for President-Elect Donald Trump.
Which raises the question, just what does it say about our country that an Islamophobe, someone who thinks dissidents should be executed, and a KKK apologist are about to be in charge of the national security and law enforcement agencies of our government?
Is this what Making America Great Again was really all about? Putting the bigots back in power?
It sure seems like it.
Comments
#2
Hillary should have chosen Bernie as vice president and we would NOT be dealing with this mess.
#3
This is the time for reflection by the progressives and most importantly, the DNC and Progressive Caucaus's. We LOST and the messages are clear. Refocus on the middle class working people. Get a good solid left-center economic plan to pursue. Forget about the past! For example, Jeff Sessions. He is no bigot by anymeans. This is good man who is a fighter for Constitutional Based legal action. He was an agressive prosecutor for civil rights. Next, DJT's selection are right leaning for sure. AND, he is NOT yet POTUS! Obama's 8 years did nothing for the African-American or anyone but those who suck off of our tax money.
545 human beings make all the decisions for 300 million citizens. The problems are the Federal Gov's $$$ based focus. Give the Donald the benefit of the doubt and lets all work to see what happens in the first year. I suspect it will not be as bad as we thought. Having a lose cannon at top of the Federal Food Chain may verywell be exactly the wake up call we need. He can only screw up a few times with relatively few areas that he can truly effect at first.
I look forward to his tenure with a slight degree of cauious optimizim. Heck, it can't worse than it is. If he can stop TPP, repair ACA, re-negociate the horrible trade agreements like we have now, maybe we can find the common ground. Infrastructure is key, boarder is key, the stupid shit that goes on with foreign policy and the $$$ spent on wars that can be put to better use domestically are all good progressive goals. We are divided for sure but the reality is we are ALL Americans! Too many women and men have given their lives for our way of living. Look at our future.....have you had any deep discussions with the kids that come out or our schools!!! Most are disfunctional illiturets and that is the future for my grand kids. Frightening to me. We can stand to make real intelligent changes and stop waisting time on past hyperbole by politicians who in my book are lower than scum! That said - Thom has it right....get involved in activities that will produce Change We Can Make!!
#4
Flyguy 8650: Good analysis. Hopefully, this election and aftermath will force the focus back on what is good for the mainstream and middle class. Not on appeasing the illegals and greasing the squeaky wheels of the fringes of society.
If the middle class in this country is strengthened significantly, everything else in this country will fall in place.
Straighten the backbone of America and worry about the fingernails and toenails and earlobes later. If we can get a return to common sense, we will get through these four years in great shape.
I think this election shook up both parties, and I hope the resultant introspection benefits the majority in this country.
#5
Trump has admitted that he's a billionaire who has participated in government to the highest bidder. Thus he ran for president representing the party that is totally on board with this Fascist form of governance. This makes Trump an establishment republican.
If this isn't obvious to anybody with an average ability to connect a couple dots, I'm sorry for you. He's not bringing jobs back and he's not cutting your taxes. Trump is an establishment trickle down republican....more of the same old crap that has destroyed the working class for over three decades. He's going to line his own pockets behind the scenes while we're all busy being pissed off at his "cabinet of deplorables". This is the same tactic Fox News employs....distract the public with a bunch of crap so the billionaires can rip us off.
Putin has ripped off Russia for untold billions and shipped the money out of the country, I'm sure Trump has an identical agenda. Trump is distracting us by appointing controversial nut jobs with the hopes we'll take our eye off his self serving schemes for enrichment.
Dick Cheney pulled it off, only a few hundred thousand had to die for his self enrichment. Why do I have this awful feeling a few million may die in a Crooked Donny scheme?
#6
Dear flyguy, I suggest you listen to todays broadcast of Democracy now and hear Jeremy Scahill's accounting of your pal Jefferson Beauregard Sessions lll and how he championed voter suppression and made life miserable for those that tried to exercise their right to vote. Doesn't seem like a champion of civil rights to me.
"Couldn't be any worse than it is now…" Where were you 8 years ago when the American economy was in total free-fall, the American auto industry was on the verge of total collapse (f.y.i., the Republicans were ready to completely abandon the auto industry), mortgage scams were leading to millions being evicted from their homes, property values were turned upside-down, the economy was shedding 800,000 jobs a month, the stock market lost half its value, we were lied into a war that was costing 10 billion a month, and on, and on.
I guess, those were the good ole days!
I just drove from Phoenix to Santa Fe, N.M. and back. The highways and railroads were crowed with trucks and trains hauling tons and tons of merchandise. Many of the trucks had signs on the back advertising for drivers.
Donald Trump just payed out on a 25 million dollar lawsuit regarding his fraudulent Trump University. Of course, he didn't have to admit any wrongdoing, so I guess that makes it right. This is his idea of ethical business.
And please! If you are going to criticize "kids as dysfunctional illiturets" at least learn to spell illiterates. And also, I think you meant, border is key, not "boarder is key"
We've been down this road before during the "W" years and the results were disastrous. This time it's the Alt Right on steroids. Trump actually lost the popular vote by 1.5 million votes. We true progressives are tired of seeing elections stolen by voter suppression and other Republican election shenanigans. I guess its just a coincidence that since we started counting votes with electronic voting machines that Republicans seem to win in the states where it counts most.
Before we get involved, I think we should get involved with facts. I have my problems with both Hillary and Obama. But Trump? Lets be real!!!
#7
Hey flyguy and TomDorr, I thought you might enjoy this link regarding Trump's first week of transitioning as recounted by Elizabeth Warren
http://www.truth-out.org/buzzflash/videos/video/sen-elizabeth-warren-lay...
Still think we should give him a chance?
#8
Here is a copy of an email I just received from my brother (Phd in Ag Econ from OK State):
Subject: Trump & Other People's Money
For decades we’ve heard of “Other People’s Money,” particularly in the context of mortgages and other investments in real estate and startup companies. OPM became a common acronym during real estate busts and in the 2016 election with Donald Trump’s business tactics. The basic idea is to get wealthy on the money of others, while assuming little or no risk.
The notion of OPM is not new. In fact, Louis D. Brandeis wrote a book titled Other People’s Money: And How the Banks Use It. It was first published in 1914. At that time as a progressive attorney commonly referred to as the “People’s Lawyer,” Brandeis outlines in his book ways to curb the power of large banks. Brandeis later became an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1916-1939).
Brandeis’ book was reissued in 1933, during the Great Depression. It should be reissued again, particularly in light of Wall Street and multi-national corporations. In essence, Brandeis attacks consolidation of money that is controlled to benefit a few. Much of that money comes from middle-class people who pay others to crush their small businesses and their opportunities for creative innovations and jobs. Brandeis’ book is relatively long and available online (link is below) but well worth a read (if you just avoid his many details).
A century after Brandeis wrote Other People’s Money a President is elected by enough Americans that helped cause their problems. To me this is Trump’s ultimate swindle; “the fox that ate the chickens” was elected by enough of the flock to get elected. Now that flock expects him and other foxes to curb their OPM appetites. We can understand why Trump said he likes the uneducated who vote for https://archive.org/stream/otherpeoplesmone00bran#page/n5/mode/2up [last accessed 11/20/2016].
#9
I saw a speech in which Trump promised all sorts of good things for the country. He especially said that he "promised" to be the father of ALL Americans. But this is turning out to be a lie. Are We, the People, being saddled with yet another (blatant) liar??? I'm getting really sick of this and we need to find a way to vet out these pathological liars.
I just heard online that Trump is going to deport all Muslims from America and replace them with Christians from other countries. He plans to locate these new immigrants in California, Oregon, and Washington State. His reasoning is so that it will destroy these states as Blue States, and thereby (once again) rig things in the Republican favor.
When will this country stand up and reject all of this corruption. Have we become so thoroughly onboard or desensitized to corruption that this is the new norm? If I could think of another place on Earth that had peace and prosperity, I'd gladly move there. (Actually, I mentioned online moving out of America, and was quickly informed by the Obama administration that if I left this country, I would permanently forfeit any and all of my (earned) Social Security benefits. Nothing like being threatened by your government to put a note of reality on things.)
#10
I suggest many of you at least wait a few months into the new administration before you try to divide and destroy before Trump is even in office. You may be pleasantly surprised. To those that claim Trump is a Republican, you couldn't be more wrong. Trump is a pragmatist. His announced beliefs got him excoriated by the Democrats as well as the Republicans. Mainstream America who was fed up with all the BS both parties put forth elected Trump. Nobody stole the election, many just got a good dose of reality.
#11
In my 80 years, I have never seen the fear that has eruped in this country. Haters have been empowered by this man and not a day goes by that we don't hear of one of their escapades. On the migration issue, I blame the Republicans who refused to do anything to resolve the problems, they used this as political propaganda to divide the people of this country. In our paper today is an article on the Dreamers who are not re-enlisting for school for fear of broadcasting the addresses and information on their illegal parents and they are living in fear of deportation. These children represent an investment that this country has made in providing education of 1-12 grades. Because of the executive order from President Obama, they were given relief to go on with their educations, be able to work and contribute and become an asset to help make this country great. Now they are all living in fear. We should all do the things needed to protect our families as we progress through this period of a President who is establishing an all white cabinet of old men who will do anything that he wants. God help our country. I for one do not expect anything meaningful to happen for the people, but Trump and family will become VERY rich!
#12
Herr Drumpf. Ameerkkka. Coming to a theater near you. The greatest show on Earth!
Actually, the last show on Earth.
...as we know it.
#13
Dianereynolds. In the early 70's, I lived in Germany for 18 months and had wonderful opportunities to listen to many "old heads" open up about their attitudes during the rise of their most famous fascist. I must say, given the nationalistic fervor of the time, the disillusionment of the establishment, the blaming of liberals, democrats, minorities, and "others" -- and a power-hungry narcissist who could verbalize those attitudes and whip up the crowds -- their rationales sounded exactly (and I do mean exactly) like what you just posted above.
By the way, "Mainstream America" did NOT elect your (not mine) pussy-grabbing, so-called "leader." The anachronistic, undemocratic Electoral College will appoint him in December. He lost the will of the people by almost two million (and counting). There's your "dose of reality. "
#14
Do you mean the electoral college that our forefathers set up to insure that a large localized population that expected "free stuff" from a socialist or liar who promised everyone else would pay the costs?
No, you got your ass kicked all over the country by plain working folks, gun owners, and voters that saw through Clinton's lies and voted for Trump or one of the other two on the ballot.
This was the greatest rejection of progressive values in history. Yes, it will turn but not before 99 judges and three Supreme Court Justices are appointed by Trump.
Consider occupying something. It will ease your pain.
#15
Trump's cabinet, so far, is composed of extremely competent people who will work for the mainstream and promote American Exceptionalism, which is a good thing.
This election has prevented an Obama-chosen cabinet and advisors that resembles the Star wars Cantina more than the American mainstream.
#16
There is no truth in what either of you have just posted -- just the usual, hateful, canned talking points found everywhere on rightwing blogsites. Ho-hum ...
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As all the above is intentional by Team Oligarch to distract, may I add here what seems a solution to acclerating warming in the Arctic, it'll require hiring all those Arctic People and field workers off the tar-sands to do this job:
After researching a while I came up with something worth doing !! thermally, globally worth it ... so, the first step of a solution to forestall the inevitable is damming Bering Straits to 1/100 its volume flow to create a year-round sea-ice refuge.
To do this using modified Dutch levee & dam methods for deeper water learning and refining the machines & technique by raising and restoring villages being lost, we are gaining 95,000-Terawatt-hours/year from sea-ice loss versus the 1980-2010 area average, 5-times what the USA uses a year, 2-1/2 times more heat that all the steam plants emit as waste-heat a year.
We need to specifically save the sea-ice, it's a foreseen tipping point, the math above showing it can double and this year the ice stalled freeze-up to far below the 2012 minimum some 800,000-km² less for the day of the year, i.e. rotten ice and warm ocean.
When ready to then build a weir dam & shipping locks at St. Lawrence Island, then with reduced flow to build ice-polders protecting sections to allow the bottom to refreeze, that allowing the chance to remain all year in some areas.
Then to build atolls around the methane flares to refreeze them, this may be fairly fast as the bubbles create an up-flow pulling in colder water at the sides all winter.
Using the ice-polders and larger areas calmed by levee sections and shoals to then corral and sustain ice much longer if not year-round in half the Bering Sea, all of the Chukchi Sea and extend into the Beaufort on the Alaska side, to levee & shoal the entire Arctic Basin the goal.
It's time to get serious and try to stop the early melt-out by the ice each spring to-sea from the shoreline, it's all heat-transfer, we must stall and pond the runoff from permafrost melting inland until 2070 then it slows down, all the glaciers in Alaska and globally are gone by then for being late-season water supplies.
This idea is from knowing why and what to do, think of Arctic Amplification stalled by having a cold-forcing going on in the eastern Arctic Basin, it's never been modelled, talking to Cray soon.
There is this geographically small gap to throttle that heat & current flow and the Dutch have closed 20-miles, plans are on the table to dam the Mediterranean for only $275bn and it's 1,200ft/365m deep and this only 165ft/50m.
The reduction in volume into the Arctic Basin reduces the volume of warmer Atlantic water drawn almost 1-sverdrup of 3 coming in, the North Atlantic Overturning Current is about 15-sverdrups total.
This counters the Gulf Stream disruption of the AOC by 30%, not trivial, and prevents 30-Terawatt-hours a year of heat coming in as fresher water staying on top, melting sea-ice from below, these facts are part of why it can have a large effect globally.
All it takes is recognition of this needing to be done, emission reductions are too slow to matter now to the accelerating feedbacks including ocean acidification.
I want to ship the brine from California's new desalination plants to Alaskan waters to dispense there to counter acidification, a fairly new shellfish farm can't grow 4-5 months of the year ... get it?
.. not a quitter so all I can do is light the fire and hope somebody sees it ?