Donny, are you ok?

[supesalemgr2]

Good answer, if any of that was actually true.

Do you actually question the changes on the border?

Yes.
I would question any agency practice that gleefully violated existing law as a standard modus operandi.

How are the actions to reduce illegal crossings violating existing law?

[O Really]

Here's a question for you, Supes - let's stipulate, for sake of discussion, that Trump has sound policies, policies that are in the best interest of citizens and the country as a whole, and that they are policies that most people could reasonably support. Yeah, I know, that's a long reach, but still.

If that is the case, why does he hire/appoint people in high ranking management positions that have no expertise or experience in the area they're supposed to be managing? Why does he find it necessary (desirable) to ignore/violate laws in the implementation of policies? And if the policies are so good, why must they be strong-armed around Congress?

[supesalemgr2]

Here's a question for you, Supes - let's stipulate, for sake of discussion, that Trump has sound policies, policies that are in the best interest of citizens and the country as a whole, and that they are policies that most people could reasonably support. Yeah, I know, that's a long reach, but still.

If that is the case, why does he hire/appoint people in high ranking management positions that have no expertise or experience in the area they're supposed to be managing? Why does he find it necessary (desirable) to ignore/violate laws in the implementation of policies? And if the policies are so good, why must they be strong-armed around Congress?

You and I know that presidential appointments are determined based on loyalty and politics. It is not something new. A good example of this practice being bipartisan is the appointment of Mayor Pete as Transportation Secretary.

[O Really]

Good answer, if any of that was actually true.

Do you actually question the changes on the border?

Yes.
I would question any agency practice that gleefully violated existing law as a standard modus operandi.

How are the actions to reduce illegal crossings violating existing law?

Well, we'll ignore that most immigration violations aren't from some wannabe farm worker sneaking across the river. But of those who do sneak across the river, a lot of them are claiming a right to asylum under current US law. Maybe they are or aren't entitled to asylum, but clearly they are entitled, according to current law, to an acceptance of the claim and a ruling by a judge. That isn't happening in the way it's supposed to. Most crossing the border "illegally" aren't really illegal, just undocumented and attempting to do what US law says they should. There's more, but I'm guessing you'd take your usual "ends justify the means" approach anyway.

[O Really]

Here's a question for you, Supes - let's stipulate, for sake of discussion, that Trump has sound policies, policies that are in the best interest of citizens and the country as a whole, and that they are policies that most people could reasonably support. Yeah, I know, that's a long reach, but still.

If that is the case, why does he hire/appoint people in high ranking management positions that have no expertise or experience in the area they're supposed to be managing? Why does he find it necessary (desirable) to ignore/violate laws in the implementation of policies? And if the policies are so good, why must they be strong-armed around Congress?

You and I know that presidential appointments are determined based on loyalty and politics. It is not something new. A good example of this practice being bipartisan is the appointment of Mayor Pete as Transportation Secretary.

Maybe, but his Mayor work wasn't at the top of his career expertise. Not everybody graduates from Harvard and Oxford and gets a job with McKinsey. Dude had a lot of ability and when he went to Transportaion, he set out to make it run the best he could and for the most part did a good job. Trump's appointees, by and large, don't even try to run their agencies.

[Whack9]

Modern search engines make it really easy to compare credentials of past cabinet appointees. Give me a cabinet position and I'll churn up a list so we can compare.

Let's do Pete Hegseth.

Pete Hegseth
• Former Army National Guard officer; served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantánamo Bay
• Former CEO of Concerned Veterans for America
• Fox News host and political commentator
• Education: B.A. – Princeton University; M.P.P. – Harvard Kennedy School

Here's a quick list of the last fifteen Sec of Defense.

• Lloyd Austin (2021–2025 )
  • Retired U.S. Army four-star general
  • Former CENTCOM Commander
  • Education: B.S. – U.S. Military Academy (West Point); M.A. – Auburn University; M.A. – U.S. Army War College
• Mark T. Esper (2019–2020)
  • Former U.S. Army infantry officer; Secretary of the Army
  • Senior defense industry roles (Raytheon)
  • Education: B.S. – U.S. Military Academy; M.P.A. – Harvard Kennedy School; Ph.D. – George Washington University
• Patrick M. Shanahan (Acting, 2019)
  • Boeing executive (aircraft, logistics, defense systems)
  • Deputy Secretary of Defense
  • Education: B.S. – University of Washington; M.S. – MIT; MBA – MIT Sloan School
• James Mattis (2017–2019)
  • U.S. Marine Corps four-star general; former CENTCOM Commander
  • Renowned combat and strategy leader
  • Education: B.A. – Central Washington University; graduate studies – National War College
• Ash Carter (2015–2017)
  • Physicist; senior DoD civilian leader (Deputy SecDef, acquisition chief)
  • Expert in defense tech, nuclear policy, and procurement
  • Education: B.A. – Yale University; Ph.D. – Oxford University (Rhodes Scholar)
• Chuck Hagel (2013–2015)
  • Vietnam War Army veteran; former U.S. Senator
  • Bipartisan foreign policy and defense experience
  • Education: B.A. – University of Nebraska Omaha
• Leon Panetta (2011–2013)
  • Former CIA Director; longtime Congressman; White House Chief of Staff
  • Deep experience in national security and federal management
  • Education: B.A. – Santa Clara University; J.D. – Santa Clara University
• Robert Gates (2006–2011)
  • Former CIA Director; career intelligence officer
  • Served under both Bush and Obama
  • Education: B.A. – College of William & Mary; M.A. & Ph.D. – Georgetown University
• Donald Rumsfeld (2001–2006; also 1975–1977)
  • Only person to serve twice as SecDef
  • Navy veteran; Congressman; White House Chief of Staff
  • Education: B.A. – Princeton University
• William Cohen (1997–2001)
  • Former U.S. Senator & Representative
  • Experience in defense legislation and foreign policy
  • Education: B.A. – Bowdoin College; J.D. – Boston University
• William Perry (1994–1997)
  • Expert in defense technology, nuclear policy, and arms control
  • Former Under Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense
  • Education: B.S. – Stanford University; M.S. & Ph.D. – Stanford University
• Les Aspin (1993–1994)
  • Former Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee
  • Major influence on Cold War defense policy
  • Education: B.A. – Yale; M.A. – Oxford (Rhodes Scholar); M.A. – MIT
• Dick Cheney (1989–1993)
  • Former White House Chief of Staff; longtime Congressman
  • Oversaw DoD during Operation Desert Storm
  • Education: B.A. – University of Wyoming; M.A. – University of Wyoming
• Frank Carlucci (1987–1989)
  • Deputy CIA Director; National Security Advisor
  • Extensive background in federal management and diplomacy
  • Education: B.A. – Princeton University
• Caspar Weinberger (1981–1987)
  • Led major defense buildup under Reagan
  • Former OMB Director and Secretary of Health, Education & Welfare
  • Education: B.A. – Harvard University; LL.B. – Harvard Law School

Comparing him to the last fifteen Sec. Of Defense, he's the least qualified. Most were either senior members of the military, senior civilian defense policymakers, or had experience working within and running large organizations, which is a difficult task requiring a lot of experience in and of itself.

[O Really]

Works for others, too, but you gotta admit nobody was previously as qualified in cosplay and posturing as ICE Barbie.

[Whack9]

Works for others, too, but you gotta admit nobody was previously as qualified in cosplay and posturing as ICE Barbie.

DT sundowned and thought he was casting for a TV show and not the executive branch cabinet.

[GoCubsGo]

DT sundowned and thought he was casting for a TV show and not the executive branch cabinet.

Lol

One of these things is unlike the others....

Sesame Street seems like the perfect analogy for the DonOld administration.

[Vrede too]

Modern search engines make it really easy to compare credentials of past cabinet appointees. Give me a cabinet position and I'll churn up a list so we can compare.

Do SoupySales' deflection - Sec of Transportation.

There's also low hanging fruit at HHS and Education, but I'll let someone else request those.

[Whack9]

Modern search engines make it really easy to compare credentials of past cabinet appointees. Give me a cabinet position and I'll churn up a list so we can compare.

Do SoupySales' deflection - Sec of Transportation.

There's also low hanging fruit at HHS and Education, but I'll let someone else request those.

• Sean P. Duffy (2025– )
  • Education: B.A.; J.D.
  • Prior roles: U.S. Representative; District Attorney
  • Relevant transportation experience at appointment: None
• Pete Buttigieg (2021–2025)
  • Education: Harvard; Oxford (Rhodes)
  • Prior roles: Mayor of South Bend; Navy Reserve officer; consultant
  • Relevant transportation experience at appointment: Limited — as mayor, oversaw local infrastructure projects but had no federal or state transportation administration experience
• Elaine Chao (2017–2021)
  • Education: B.A.; MBA
  • Prior roles: Secretary of Labor; Deputy Secretary of Transportation; Chair, Federal Maritime Commission
  • Relevant transportation experience at appointment: Extensive — previously Deputy Secretary of Transportation and Federal Maritime Commission Chair
• Anthony Foxx (2013–2017)
  • Education: B.A.; J.D.
  • Prior roles: Mayor of Charlotte; City Council Member
  • Relevant transportation experience at appointment: Moderate — as mayor oversaw transit expansion, airport governance, and highway projects; no federal DOT experience
• Ray LaHood (2009–2013)
  • Education: B.S.
  • Prior roles: U.S. Congressman; Illinois legislator; planning commission work
  • Relevant transportation experience at appointment: Some — served on House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee; regional planning commission experience
• Mary Peters (2006–2009)
  • Education: B.A.
  • Prior roles: Director of Arizona DOT; Administrator of FHWA
  • Relevant transportation experience at appointment: Extensive — long career in state and federal highway agencies including FHWA leadership
• Norman Mineta (2001–2006)
  • Education: Public service background
  • Prior roles: U.S. Congressman; Secretary of Commerce; Mayor; chaired House Transportation committees
  • Relevant transportation experience at appointment: Extensive — decades of congressional transportation leadership and USDOT-related legislative work
• Rodney Slater (1997–2001)
  • Education: B.A.; J.D.
  • Prior roles: Administrator of FHWA; Arkansas Assistant Attorney General
  • Relevant transportation experience at appointment: Extensive — top official at FHWA; oversaw national highway programs
• Federico Peña (1993–1997)
  • Education: Law/public administration background
  • Prior roles: Mayor of Denver; state political roles
  • Relevant transportation experience at appointment: Moderate — led major city with large airport and infrastructure projects; no federal transportation administration background
• Samuel Skinner (1989–1991)
  • Education: B.A.; J.D.
  • Prior roles: U.S. Attorney; corporate executive; public policy roles
  • Relevant transportation experience at appointment: Some — chaired regional transportation authority and was active in transportation policy
• Andrew Card (1992–1993)
  • Education: University of South Carolina
  • Prior roles: White House Deputy Chief of Staff; state and federal administrative roles
  • Relevant transportation experience at appointment: Some — previously served as White House liaison to DOT and worked on transportation policy
• James H. Burnley IV (1987–1989)
  • Education: Yale; Harvard Law
  • Prior roles: General Counsel and Deputy Secretary of Transportation
  • Relevant transportation experience at appointment: Extensive — top legal and deputy official within USDOT
• Elizabeth Dole (1983–1987)
  • Education: Duke; Harvard (M.A., J.D.)
  • Prior roles: FTC Commissioner; White House Assistant
  • Relevant transportation experience at appointment: None — no prior transportation-sector positions before becoming Secretary
• Drew Lewis (1981–1983)
  • Education: B.S.; MBA
  • Prior roles: Business executive; political campaign leadership
  • Relevant transportation experience at appointment: None
• Neil Goldschmidt (1979–1981)
  • Education: B.A.; J.D.
  • Prior roles: Mayor of Portland; urban policy leader
  • Relevant transportation experience at appointment: Moderate — as mayor, involved in transit planning and city infrastructure projects

[GoCubsGo]

Wow.




https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/whi ... p_catchall

[Vrede too]

Wow.

https://x.com/Wilson__Valdez/status/1996440195118608572

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/whi ... 40648.html

pathetic Syn. MAGA

Fair enough, there's been another renaming:

Not Donald J Trump
Nobel Peace Prize

[GoCubsGo]

He's getting weirder.

[Vrede too]

He's getting weirder.

https://x.com/trump_repost/status/1996557833614291008

https://x.com/ddale8/status/1996595216023794165

Dementia Don's "bonkers conspiracy theories" are indeed .

Did he ever explain what is causing the "POISONING OF AMERICA!"?

[GoCubsGo]

Dementia Don's "bonkers conspiracy theories" are indeed .

Did he ever explain what is causing the "POISONING OF AMERICA!"?

Nope, just a free association stable genius moment.

[Vrede too]

Dementia Don's "bonkers conspiracy theories" are indeed .

Did he ever explain what is causing the "POISONING OF AMERICA!"?

Nope, just a free association stable genius moment.

Clinical definitions requiring further evaluation for differentiation include Derailment (thought disorder), Racing thoughts and flight of ideas. I'm hoping it's derailment.