AG Bondi claimed on Fox News that we might see some Jeffry Epstein info today. I suspect it’s a huge bust, and anything pertaining to who else might have been involved will or has gone missing, but who knows? — NOS4A2

LOL!!! :lol:

Well, this administration will SURELY erase every connection that Trump had with Epstein, who "liked girls on the young side" as Trump called it.

(Of course, what is cut out in this video are the young girls dancing that Trump is commenting to Epstein)



* * *

Then back to Trump being Trump, as usual...

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XkgoXUyGlHM

You do know that Russia has more nuclear weapons than the US has, btw. — ssu

Ok.

It really comes down to this: when you cannot understand how much of the current prosperity you have is thanks to the Superpower status, it's really the epic failure of your own government to make it's case for this. Other countries have happily given the US the leadership role. But once other countries don't listen to you, you will understand it. — ssu

The average American struggles to make ends meet. They worry about how they're going to afford to retire. The ones just below average show up to the emergency room to get healthcare and when they're told that they need to stop working to get over their pneumonia, they start crying and explaining that they're working two jobs and they have to take care of their kids and they can't take any time off.

That is America. Thanks for the leadership role.

The average American struggles to make ends meet. They worry about how they're going to afford to retire. — frank

And do you think that starting a trade war, which likely ends up in a global downturn, will help that?

Do you think raising the prices of consumer products will help that? How does it help you when Canada understands that it has to turn away from US trade and start trading more with other countries, like with the EU and have stronger economic ties with the union? Tell me, how does that help you?

Your economy isn't in it's infancy, those American corporations have themselves pushed the factories into China, just like Elon has in China. Now thinking that tariffs will help you, when they clearly won't (just look at what similar thinking in the 1930's ended up with).

That is America. — frank

You don't want to have a welfare state, you don't want universal health care or free education. You could easily have that, but you do not want it. You want to give tax breaks to the rich and believe that the best thing is not only to man the highest positions in the administration with billionaires, but to give unchecked power to the richest man in the World. That's the United States Americans seem to want and vote for. Because obviously, for some reason you buy the argument that is this rule by the rich or then everything else is Venezuela type socialism.

It's all that you are doing yourself by your own choosing. And loosing that leadership role won't make it anymore easier. Actually it's the American defense companies that will be hurt when Europe starts focusing on it's own military industry.

In fact, you can both have a strong military and a welfare state and people be prosperous. But that means that the rich do have to pay taxes. Sweden during the Cold War is actually a great example of this: a rather small country could have it's own military industrial complex capable of building top of the line fighters, submarines and even building an own nuclear weapon. And also creating that welfare state.

The thing that either it's guns or butter is the wrong idea.

And do you think that starting a trade war, which likely ends up in a global downturn, will help that? — ssu

It has the potential to. A trade war would help American labor as long as it doesn't coincide with a panic that crashes the system.

You don't want to have a welfare state, you don't want universal health care or free education. You could easily have that, but you do not want it. You want to give tax breaks to the rich and believe that the best thing is not only to man the highest positions in the administration with billionaires, but to give unchecked power to the richest man in the World. That's the United States Americans seem to want and vote for. Because obviously, for some reason you buy the argument that is this rule by the rich or then everything else is Venezuela type socialism.

It's all that you are doing yourself by your own choosing. And loosing that leadership role won't make it anymore easier. Actually it's the American defense companies that will be hurt when Europe starts focusing on it's own military industry.

In fact, you can both have a strong military and a welfare state and people be prosperous. But that means that the rich do have to pay taxes. Sweden during the Cold War is actually a great example of this: a rather small country could have it's own military industrial complex capable of building top of the line fighters, submarines and even building an own nuclear weapon. And also creating that welfare state.

The thing that either it's guns or butter is the wrong idea. — ssu

I'm not sure why you're having this reaction. Are you afraid Russia is going to invade your country and Europe will just stand by and let it happen?

It has the potential to. A trade war would help American labor as long as it doesn't coincide with a panic that crashes the system. — frank

If tariffs would be so awesome, why then have they not created the wealth. They don't. That's why country after country has stopped using them.

Tariffs give the domestic industry not to compete with the outside World. They can rest on their laurels and at best simply higher their prices to the level of the foreign competitors. And why not? That brings more money to them especially if people need the stuff, like for eating.

The argument for tariffs and trade barriers is reasonable when you lack the technology or the industry in total and want to create it from nothing. Then trade barriers have worked. But the US is already a top player in global economics. This reasoning doesn't simply work.

And let's remember on the eve of this most stupid trade war, the Smoot Hawley tariffs from the 1930's:

(Investopedia) The Smoot-Hawley Act was created to protect U.S. farmers and businesses from foreign competitors.

The Smoot-Hawley Act increased tariffs on foreign imports to the U.S. by about 20%. Over 25 countries responded by increasing their own tariffs on American goods. Global trade plummeted, contributing to the ill effects of the Great Depression. More than 1,000 economists urged President Hoover to veto it. Hoover's successor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, worked to reduce tariffs and was given more authority to negotiate with heads of state under the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act of 1934.

Now Trump is doing exactly the same, but even higher tariffs when the World is far more integrated than it was in the 1930's.

I'm not sure why you're having this reaction. Are you afraid Russia is going to invade your country and Europe will just stand by and let it happen? — frank

I could give a thorough explanation, but I would be repeating myself a lot. But simply put it. If you think that Russia will stop at Ukraine is like believing that a millionaire once he has had his first million will be satisfied and not go for the next million.

So, I'll first ask you:

If just a short while ago Putin was paying Taleban for killed American troops, why do you want now to give him Ukraine on a silver platter and favor the same regime now? Russia has called the US an enemy state and Russian ideology has been anti-American during the Putin era. Why then be submissive to an overtly hostile nation, that is far weaker to you, which doesn't play by the rules you have earlier supported? And why then be hostile against countries, that have been friendly towards you?

Putin surely can play Trump by talking of being allies again and hinting at great deals. But why go with that?

We can go over the reasons why Russian imperialism and military aggression is bad for Europe, but now the question is just why to start appeasing those, who see the US as it's enemy and alienate those, who thought being your allies?

Now Trump is doing exactly the same, but even higher tariffs when the World is far more integrated than it was in the 1930's — ssu

I think I was the one who told you that a trade war precipitated the Great Depression. Now you're teaching it back to me.

We can go over the reasons why Russian imperialism and military aggression is bad for Europe, but now the question is just why to start appeasing those, who see the US as it's enemy and alienate those, who thought being your allies? — ssu

Basically because the US can destroy Russia without Europe's help. If the US needed European support, it would be a different story.

Then back to Trump being Trump, as usual...

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XkgoXUyGlHM — ssu

I find it puzzling how many still take Trump's word for much of anything.
Not only believe him but parrot what he says argumentatively.
Weird.

The US and Australia signed a free trade agreement in 2005. Australian officials are now negotiating tariffs that Trump wants to impose on them.
The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement was signed by Trump in 2018.
If the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act came to Trump's mind, then something's off, otherwise he's just ignorant.

I think I was the one who told you that a trade war precipitated the Great Depression. Now you're teaching it back to me. — frank

It just sucks knowing that things will be worse off for everyone.

Basically because the US can destroy Russia without Europe's help. If the US needed European support, it would be a different story. — frank

Then there's the actual things to do when the US has to be involved. Which aren't so biblical wars as WW3. And then having allies is crucial.

Just think about it. Trump is likely going to war in Mexico and then the absurd Mar-a-Gaza idea. And this from him when there is no serious NEW crisis around or an attack that has to responded to!

I find it puzzling how many still take Trump's word for much of anything. — jorndoe

For him it's just words, but his administration will go onward with those words.

The US and Australia signed a free trade agreement in 2005. Australian officials are now negotiating tariffs that Trump wants to impose on them.
The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement was signed by Trump in 2018. — jorndoe

This is the whole irony. Trump simply just wants a trade war. The reasons he takes out of thin air.

That's why I've been so pessimistic about the outcome.

The reasons he talks out of thin air. — ssu

That’s the polite version.

There are opinions bubbling up that Trusk will precipitate a very serious recession, which will begin to become apparent in March-April. What with shedding hundreds of thousands of public services positions and ramping up tariffs, one does not need a degree in economics to understand why. And that with that, the corresponding sudden elimination of many in fact vital public services, like vaccination clinics and food safety checks and weather forecasts and innumerable other services that have come to be taken for granted, I would suspect the US is going to be in a very bad way before too long. But then anyone with half a brain could always have seen that by ‘Making America Great Again’, he actually means totally f***ing it up. Of course, DJT will never take any responsibility for doing it. (I wonder if he’ll start to blame Musk when the sh*t hits the fan, which it surely will.)

I find it puzzling how many still take Trump's word for much of anything. — jorndoe

It’s long been said that DJT will basically repeat the last thing that someone he will listen to says to him. Hence after the Putin call, he repeats Putin’s lines about Ukraine and everyone freaks out. But wait! Macron shows up with a new script, and he starts repeating that. Then Zelenskyy! He’s no dictator! Did I say that? Then Keir Starmer -yes, we must make Putin pay. Purely a creature of impulse and emotion, and almost zero rationality. That’s why behind-the-sciences reactionaries have seized on him - he’s an empty vessel, a Trojan Horse.

I would suspect the US is going to be in a very bad way before too long. But then anyone with half a brain could always have seen that by ‘Making America Great Again’, he actually means totally f***ing it up. — Wayfarer

But here I think the UK and it's Brexit shows just how otherwise sane people will fall for insanity and totally unsubstantiated promises and views if not for outright lies. There were no benefits of braking well established trade. Just look at the Brexit thread: the British PF members weren't enthusiastic about the Brexit and it's outcome far earlier than the actual economic effects became reality. But the denial persisted for a long time. Soon would the economic benefits of the UK cutting it's ties to the EU become apparent! Just wait... and then we got to the Labour government, when the Brexiteers could start venting their anger on just how bad things are. That is the likely future in the American case too.

Do notice that nobody is cheering for the trade war and the tariffs. Not even @NOS4A2 (even if he lives in Canada).

When I look at European media and newspapers here, it's evident. Already last week sent shock waves around and the general consensus seems that the US will be now an untrustworthy ally which doesn't share the same values as Europe does. Only the politicians in charge try to moderate their comments and speak diplomatically in order not to anger Trump. Add to this trade wars starting what, next week?

This should be very alarming as this is the way you do brake friendships and make the World far more dangerous. I've been listening to what Canadian politicians have to say about the current relationship with the US and never I've heard so bitter and offended remarks. Questioning the sovereignty of another country isn't a laughing matter, as Americans seem to think.

The average American struggles to make ends meet. — frank

Does "struggles" mean that they have to go to work five days a week?

They worry about... — frank

Worrying is self-inflicted anxiety.

Does "struggles" mean that they have to go to work five days a week? — Metaphysician Undercover

Living paycheck to paycheck is pretty common.

Worrying is self-inflicted anxiety. — Metaphysician Undercover

It often comes from a heroin deficiency.

Do notice that nobody is cheering for the trade war and the tariffs. Not even @NOS4A2 (even if he lives in Canada).

I cheer retaliatory tariffs. It’s not fair that everyone gets to tariff the US but the US is not allowed to tariff them. The reason we do not talk about tariffs otherwise and you never made a peep during other trade wars is because only Trump can make everyone freak out about it.

AltGov: Bureaucrats in revolt.

According to the guardian:

Calling itself #AltGov, the network has developed a visible, public-facing presence in recent weeks through Bluesky accounts, most of which bear the names or initials of federal agencies, aimed at getting information out to the public – and correcting disinformation – about the chaos being unleashed by the Trump administration.

With 40 accounts to date, their collective megaphone is getting louder, as most of the accounts have tens of thousands of followers, with “Alt CDC (they/them)” being the largest, at nearly 95,000 followers.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/26/altgov-elon-musk-doge-federal-workers

A small band of bureaucrats have taken their anti-Trump efforts to social media, turning their conspiracy theories into outright government insubordination. At best this appears to be a non-story. The “AltGov” operates on an app called Bluesky, known for congealing woke and weird political and fetish communities into information silos, protected from any other information. The presence of preferred pronouns indicate their woke bonafides and the live-action-roleplaying indicative of this sort of ideology.

But knowing the weaknesses involved and the absence of any opposition in these silos, radicalization is almost inevitable. How far will they take it? Sabotage? Murder? Terrorism?

, Australia hasn't had tariffs on US imports for a couple of decades. Transparent rhetoric.

Maybe that’s why Trump hasn’t threatened tariffs on Australia.

Huge.

Seems that your God Emperor didn't get the Nobel peace prize.

I cheer retaliatory tariffs. — NOS4A2

Then you cheer for Canada, Europe and Mexico! Because they didn't start this stupidity.

Good for you!!!

Trump the lunatic has to be stopped.

So much for "Man of Peace" getting the Nobel peace-prize. The fucking Putin-loving moron.

Trump and Vance tell Zelensky to get out of the Oval Office. Get out!

, they're negotiating an exemption for this round and it's not about tit-for-tat tariffs.

So much for "Man of Peace" getting the Nobel peace-prize. The fucking Putin-loving moron.

He’s still done more than any of the Euro bureaucrats, and he’s only been in office a month. Europe looks like it wants to fight to the very last Ukrainian because they don’t like Putin. I wonder who will start world war 3?

Pretty much what Breitbart News reports.

You read Breibart news?

Every day.

Living paycheck to paycheck is pretty common. — frank

Even if that is representative of "the average American", how is it anything other than having to work for a living?

It often comes from a heroin deficiency. — frank

I do not believe that is representative of "the average American".



What do you think Trump means when he said:

"I have determined that president Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations."

Why would he not want American involvement in "Peace" if he feels American involvement in "Peace" gives him a big advantage?

Potentially, one of the many unintended consequences of the willy-nilly staff reductions:

US intel shows Russia and China are attempting to recruit disgruntled federal employees, sources say

The first ever Roman fire brigade was created by Marcus Licinius Crassus. Fires were almost a daily occurrence in Rome, and Crassus took advantage of the fact that Rome had no fire department, by creating his own brigade—500 men strong—which rushed to burning buildings at the first cry of alarm. Upon arriving at the scene, however, the firefighters did nothing while Crassus offered to buy the burning building from the distressed property owner, at a miserable price. If the owner agreed to sell the property, his men would put out the fire; if the owner refused, then they would simply let the structure burn to the ground. After buying many properties this way, he rebuilt them, and often leased the properties to their original owners or new tenants. — Firefighting (Wikipedia)

» crass

Adding some insight/context:

Behind the Trump offensive, a quiet struggle for control of strategic metals (archive)
^{— Bastien Bonnefous · Le Monde · Feb 21, 2025}