Wow!

I didn't vote for Clinton. I didn't realize what a bubble I live in.

I think a one-party state (which California is) is a dangerous situation.

As the French philosopher Emile Chartier put It

"Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it's the only one you have."

The mantra for many people around here is:

"We celebrate diversity; it's dissent we have a problem with."

RE: Election Results
Perhaps all of us should take a deep breath who are horrified and terrified by the outcome of the election, and try to relax. If things continue to play out as they have begun, given enough "rope," the President elect will hang himself in due time. Just sit back, watch, and wait.

The key words: "we live in a bubble"

"because of his stances toward national security"

Russia has recently admitted being in touch with the Trump campaign during the election as well as having made several interesting statements post-election. Add in the whole KGB-esque hacking of the DNC on Trump's behalf and The Donald owes Putin big time. Mannafort will help him, though through back-channels.

Completely agree with Granny Grifter.
The 'bubble' is why we have an Electoral College system.
Boxer be damned. "Get over it"

I for one hope Mr. Trump does a wonderful job - which, in the end, will benefit all Americans. I wish him well.

Going into an election, a football game, a basketball game, etc, there can only be one winner. And he is it whether we like it or not. The fact that people are protesting the outcome of this election is ridiculous!! Do they expect to change the outcome?? The fact that they are destroying other people's property while they demonstrate is outrageous. Why destroy your neighborhood and the small local businessman ?
There are too many people in this country who cannot listen to another point of view without becoming angered. When did we become so intolerant of one another?

Living in this area has made most of us blind to many issues facing our fellow Americans - those who have lost their jobs and cannot find work. With the holidays approaching, so many will struggle to provide a happy celebration for their children let alone a decent meal. When I looked at the election map and saw that the entire middle of our country voted Republican, "an opportunity to be heard", it was a wake up moment for me. How nice would it be to put all the frustration and negative energy into providing for those in need!!!

"There are too many people in this country who cannot listen to another point of view without becoming angered" said the Jim Crow South.

Not to go all Niemoller on you, but there are POV's that demand response by thinking beings. Would you like a list of Trump's or Bannon's statements that prove the point? Those are the statements and ideas being protested, much more than the fact that the 'losing' candidate received a million votes more than the 'winner'.

Yes, vandals and criminals should be prosecuted, however they are very few of the millions whom have protested in the last week. Just yesterday, a luncheon in San Mateo allowed me to watch 900 students meet and hold event in a park there. The majority of signs I noticed were celebrating equality, anti-discrimination, and love over hate.

People aren't protesting a candidate's loss as much as they are the loss of honor by our country and impending human rights losses by its citizens. I refuse to "accept" or "give a chance" to an ignorant, bullying bigot who was accused of sexual assault by 12 women within three weeks of the election. The religious right ignored their morals, the Trump voters drank the Kool-Aid and our global beacon of hope has been dimmed.

Something I struggled with during the campaign is

What does it mean when Clinton says

"build bridges not walls"

I think i know what it means to build a wall to secure the border, not sure what the bridge means

"What does it mean when Clinton says "build bridges not walls"? " Really? It's about building community, not tearing it down. Thank you for sharing, but I do not understand how that would be the overarching struggle among the many odd things uttered this election cycle. Others who feel the same way:

"We build too many walls and not enough bridges" - Isaac Newton

"Let us build bridges, my friends, build bridges to human dignity across that gulf that separates black America from white America" - Richard Nixon

On St. Paul: "Paul is a pontifex, a builder of bridges. He doesn't want to become a builder of walls." Pope Francis

Didn't anyone else do a write-in for Kasich? I guess we rounded off to 0 in the tenth of a percentage position. He was the lost opportunity for an honorable, decent Republican candidate...

"homeland security"?

poetic quotes and metaphors are not much help.

Was she referring to an open border,

I wonder how many of the people protesting Trump's win are the same people who castigated Trump when he said he wouldn't accept the results of the election. I think the word hypocrisy fits here.

I pose the question to the 1,000 students walking out at M.A.Something I struggled with during the campaign is

What does it mean when Clinton says

"build bridges not walls"

I think i know what it means to build a wall to secure the border, not sure what the bridge means,

Is it an open border?

No, it is not an "open border". Any further discussion is off topic and I would recommend a new thread which would also define terminology ("open border".)

More Mexican immigrants have returned to Mexico from the U.S. than have migrated here since the end of the Great Recession.

@acomfort: calling Trump a hypocrite for his threats to not accept the results of the election seems a little harsh. He says a lot of crazy things in his late night tweets. Get used to it.

Homeland security,

You're threat is well noted, but this thread is about the election, questions about the border were a big topic espoused by both candidates. I hope you are not the determining factor for what is appropriate on this thread.

Please take it up with the editor.

I leave the question open and will pose it to the student walk out thread also,

What does it mean when Clinton says

"build bridges not walls"

I think i know what it means to build a wall to secure the border, not sure what the bridge means,

Is it an open border?

For the past year, I have been trying to understand who that other half of the country could possibly be, whose beliefs were diametrically opposed to mine. I tried to imagine their lives, losses, fears. A few weeks before the election, I started to wonder if the people I was trying to understand were also trying to understand me, or us (the other half of the country). Then I came across this article. For another take on a different bubble: Web Link

If it's any consolation, despite the fact we are mostly a blue state, I think we have morphed into a two-party democratic system of progressives and moderates. This can be witnessed by the race between Scott Weiner and Jane Kim in San Francisco.

Even as someone who voted for Clinton, I still agree with you that not have at least two parties represented isn't a good idea.

Despite that, no matter what your party or affiliation, I could never stand by the rhetoric that Trump displayed during his campaign.

All the crying, anger, name calling and toddler-tantrums described as protests are not going to change the result. Get over it Menlo Park and pay close attention to what he actually does. And turn off the CNN and MSNBC. It's bad for your mental health.

"Get over it Menlo Park and pay close attention to what he actually does."

You mean like appointing Steve Bannon as his chief strategist? Doesn't that say a lot already?

Trump had his chance. He blew it, big time.

I won't pretend to know why people voted for or against either of the two mainstream presidential candidates, but the polls do all seem to agree that NEITHER was very well-respected or liked by most Americans. What I can say for sure, though, is that articles like the one referenced earlier in this thread that stereotype residents based on where they live are more wrong than right, more divisive than healing. I can't possibly overstate how wrong the article about the Midwest is in its thinly veiled assertion and generalization that it is some kind of "white bubble" and under-educated naivite' that led to that region's support for Trump.

I grew up in the Midwest, including Illinois and Indiana. My Indianapolis high school was roughly the same size as Menlo Atherton HS and it is MORE racially diverse today than MA is. My undergraduate university in Indiana (Purdue) has the second largest population of international students of any public college in the nation. Oh, and #1 isn't Berkeley or UCLA, it's the University of Illinois. The author of the referenced article, like many people not truly familiar with the Midwest, is conjuring up obsolete and inaccurate images of what life is like in that part of the country. Rather than imply that their vote was out of ignorance or a desperate effort to cling to the past, the author should go and talk with real citizens living there. I did so, just recently. I spoke with close to 100 former fellow students or their spouses from that high school, and others from that college. Not in any scientific poll, but anecdotally what I heard were many of the same concerns about BOTH candidates. They just reached the opposite opinion (than Menlo Park) in an election that so many of us all across the country felt was a choice between the lesser of two evils....

Do views vary across different parts of our country? Of course they do. That's part of why we have an electoral college (and equal representation in the Senate, by the way) that protects all states and geographical interests, regardless of population. But it is neither accurate nor healthy for any of us to head down that path of "us vs them."

Granny Grifter: California is a one-party state? Please explain the data? Web Link

curious: I'm going with "build a bridge and get over it" if you were her sole intended audience. You should watch John Oliver's piece on the wall - hilarious and factually accurate in terms of why a wall literally doesn't make cents (pun intended).

HeIsYourPresident: What unbiased news source do you watch? I need me some of that. I heard good things about Briebart News, you?

Trump was the Trojan/Trumpian horse that sneaks the far-right wing rapers
and pillagers into the heart of the City, the country, the White House, where
they never got an serious consideration by anyone before.

11 million immigrants could never do the evil that Donald Trump intends to do
to this country.

Rudy Guilianni, Chris Christie, Newt Gingrich and this Steve Bannon guy
were never on the ballot. They were never talked about being installed in
important places like in the cabinet, or the UN, the Attorney General ...
these guys could not and did not get elected ... and in fact if you look at
their receptions as they got in their campaigns they were all soundly
defeated and rejected.

So, why is our "drain the swamp" candidate now bringing these right-wing
revolutionary swamp-things into the heart of the government to tear it apart
when that is clearly not what Americans want. The Republicans always
do this kind of thing. They thing elections are a game, or a war, and any
tactic is valid as long as you win, and if you win anything you can take is
yours.

Donald Trump is everything we were told he was, a liar, a swindler, a person
of low character ... being sued over 4000 times, stealing from the kind of
people he lied to in business dealings, telling them he was going to make
the country great again.

We did not rebel rouse when Obama won, riot and protest, so what gives with these lunatics doing it now. How shor
t sighted.

In a sanctuary city, officials implement policies to restrict local police from turning immigrants over to federal immigration agents and declare in no uncertain terms that immigrants are welcome.

Having travelled from as far away as N. Africa, Central and South America to South East Asia, I can tell you from personal experience many restaraunt workers, hotel workers, cabbies etc. asked me if I knew how they could get into America some asked if I could sponsor them. Maybe some of you have had the same experience.
There are millions who would love to live here, For those that can scrape together enough money to get to the border they get in and if they make it to a Sanctuary City, they're home free. Many are smuggled in from China. For those that can't they're stuck wishing.
Who decides who gets in and who doesn't.

For the undocumented workers already here be careful what you wish for. The poor in these countries will work for half of what you are getting paid just for a chance to get in. Doesn't seem fair, Who get's to play God and decides.

Ironic isn't it. It comes down to old fashioned capitalism, Those with enough money get in those that don't can't.

"Who decides who gets in and who doesn't. "

Our Federal Government that's who. Cities and States that declare themselves "sanctuaries" are breaking Federal law.

Leftist indoctrination on full display in our public schools!

"Any proof of the Russian contact w/ the Trump campaign?"


"November 10
MOSCOW — Russian government officials conferred with members of Donald Trump’s campaign team, a senior Russian diplomat said Thursday, a disclosure that could reopen scrutiny of the Kremlin’s role in the president-elect’s bitter race against Hillary Clinton.

The statement came from Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who said in an interview with the state-run Interfax news agency that “there were contacts” with the Trump team.

“Obviously, we know most of the people from his entourage,” Ryabkov said."

Trump & Ryan are ready to roll - Tom Price at HHS wants to phase out Medicare this summer.

Ryan wants to repeal Obamacare and "maybe" offer a replacement in 6 months.

Anyone else out there on Medicare Advantage - getting a little worried like I am? First, the small cuts to us, with promises that it won't get worse (riiiiiigghhttt!). Then our kids can kiss it goodbye by the time they get old.

Well, actually, first will be the millions thrown out of Medicaid. Shortly thereafter they start flooding into emergency rooms for their primary care. That's where we will notice it first, when we take a kid into emergency at Stanford and have to wait half a day.

Pop Francis this week:

“In the social and civil context as well, I appeal not to create walls but to build bridges,” he said. “To not respond to evil with evil. To defeat evil with good, the offense with forgiveness. A Christian would never say ‘you will pay for that.’ Never.

“That is not a Christian gesture. An offense you overcome with forgiveness. To live in peace with everyone.”


Web Link

Does anyone want open borders?

Like our Canadian border? The one terrorists will use if they want to?

Thank you, John Boyle, for taking the time to post on this topic.

The last time I voted for a winner was Ronald Reagan. In 1965, I campaigned for Barry Goldwater in Hawthorne, California where Democrats had a 2 to 1 advantage. Goldwater won in Hawthorne. I was disappointed that he lost the election, but I didn't trash local businesses. Instead, I led a referendum campaign to stop the Urban Renewal bulldozers in Hawthorne in 1965. We scored a 2 to 1 major upset.

Donald Trump is our President. Changes will be made with the help of a Republican Congress. Trumps choice of Betsy De Vos as Education Secretary gives me hope that REAL choice in education will be realized in my lifetime. See: Web Link

To be perfectly clear, I did not vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton.

De Vos is a terrible choice bt the popular vote loser. Given he has historically bad ratings, Congress may well abandon him to protect themselves prior to the midterms.

Walls have been proven to actually keep more illegals INSIDE the country, than keep them out. And I recall reading that more than half of the illegals arrived by PLANE. This segment is people that overstayed their tourist visa's and never left. A wall will cost trillions and do nothing other be fodder for comedians and add greatly to the national debt.

Then there's DeVos. A more horrible candidate for Secretary of Education has never been seen. She and her family donated millions to dozens of different Republicans in the house, senate, and of course, for the White House. She bought this job. So much for draining the swamp. She has publicly stated that she doesn't believe in public education, and supports charters above all else. Then there's this nasty fact that charters actually under-perform traditional public schools. There are some great exceptions, but as a standard policy, they do not perform.

Facts don't seem to matter when Congress votes on who gave them the most money.

Betsy De Vos is terrible. Pathetic lack of qualifications.

Trump took that call from Taiwan and said he would re-think our 1 China policy.

Then he talks with commie China and kowtows to the reds.

Before the election he tells us the Iran deal is bad, then he tells the EU he will "stick to the full implementation of the [Iran] agreement."

Dude is dangerously over matched on the foreign stage. Dangerous for us.

We really need a starting point, without it nothing will get done.

Wether you like how the election was conducted or not you have to agree Donald Trump is POTUS,

If we can't get past that than any agreement or compromise is impossible.

And the Democratic party will continue to self implode,

Please continue to fight amongst yourselves.

"And the Democratic party will continue to self implode"

Seems to me the Democratic Party needs a lot of work - repeat - a LOT of work, but "self implode"?

The Democratic candidate did get 3 million more votes than POTUS. And the "repeal without the promised replace" House will energize the left far more than the right is energized by Trump. 2018 will be interesting.

Your problem is the DNC can't agree amongst themselves.

As an aside,

just saw numbers of illegal immigrants deported,

Clinton: FY1993-2000: 869,646

Bush: FY2001-2008: 2,012,539

Obama: FY2009-2016: 3,094,208

My guess is most liberals won't believe this, so you may want to fact check it. If it's true I guess Obama wins by a over 1,000,000 deportations,

Who'd a thunk it?

JW,

Admittedly Trump uses intemperate language- I don’t think may people would argue that point. But it is wise to judge people by their actions not their words. Otherwise one could label Lyndon Johnson a racist. Johnson was a crude, vulgar man who used the N word more than liberals use the word fascist to describe Donald Trump. But when the chips were down he pushed through the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting rights act of 1965. Johnson did the right thing and his predilection for using the N word is nothing more than a footnote in history.

Lynne Patton, an African American female executive in the Trump organization said this about Donald Trump ““The Trump family that I know is, without question, one of the most generous, compassionate and philanthropic families I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing and the honor to call friends,” she said. “They have been incredibly loyal to me and to the countless dedicated people they employ around the world – hiring more minority and female executives than any other company for which I’ve ever worked.”

Web Link

With regard to how Trump treats women, the Washington Post, not exactly renowned for being a Pro Trump newspaper said this “But many women who have worked closely with Trump say he was a corporate executive ahead of his time in providing career advancement for women. While some say he could be boorish, his companies nurtured and promoted women in an otherwise male-dominated industry. Several women said they appreciated how Trump granted them entry to a new playing field.
“From the standpoint of being a woman, I just thought he was phenomenal,” said Sunshine, 74. “So supportive and encouraging. . . . He gave me the ropes, and I could either hang myself or prove myself.”

“Trump often told the women he employed and worked with that he valued those he believed would stand their ground on construction sites and in legal battles. He called Barbara Res, whom he put in charge of the construction of his now-iconic Trump Tower in 1980, “a killer,” she recalled. And he used to tell her and others that “a good woman is better than 10 good men.”

“He wasn’t discriminatory against women that I saw,” said Res, now in her 60s and owner of a construction consultancy.

Donald Trump also took on the Palm Beach City council when applying for an application to make his Mar al Lago estate into a private club. Palm Beach, had an unfortunate history of anti-Semitism and racism when it came to admitting members into its private clubs. In other words, if you were Jewish or African American, regardless of your wealth, accomplishments, and status you would be rejected for membership. Donald Trump disagreed with Palm Beach’s racist and anti-Semitic attitudes and mailed copies of “The man who came to Dinner”, a movie that exposed racism, and “Gentlemen’s agreement, a movie exposing anti-Semitism to each member of the Palm Beach City Council. He shamed them into approving his application and broke the racial and anti-Semitism barrier in Palm Beach. Anyone can apply to be a member of Mar al Lago. The only criteria are that you can afford it, are not a criminal, and that you behave. One member of Mar al Lago complained to Trump that Bill Clinton pal Jeffrey Epstein was sexually harassing his teenage daughter. Trump banned Epstein from the estate. And this was before Epstein became notorious.

No one argues the inappropriateness of Donald Trump’s language in many instances (He really needs to work on that). And admittedly, his temporary ban on visitors from 7 terrorist countries identified by the Obama administration had some unfortunate ambiguities. He realized his mistake and clarified the order exempting permanent resident aliens and holders of valid visas. Is he impetuous? Most definitely. But is he looking out for the best interests of the United States? Most of California says no. Most of the rest of the United States of America says yes. Trump won 2,623 (84.3%) counties Hillary won 489 (15.7%) so Trump won more than 5 times as many counties as she did. It is time for liberals to realize that and “Move-on”.

We are non-white American citizens. My family has been American citizens since the 1800s. Is the new administration's war on minorities part of their ALT-RIGHT white supremacist agenda? Or are we just collateral damage in their war against immigrant minorities?

The Trump Administration has no White Supremacist agenda. That is fake news made up by ALT LEFT. The Obama Administration, whom no one is accusing of being racist, identified the 7 countries that promote terrorism. The two largest Muslim countries Indonesia, and India are not on the list. So to claim Trump is anti-Muslim is patently false. Trump is anti-terrorism and welcomes all people from non-terrorist countries to apply for immigration to the United States. It is just that there are 7 countries that require extra scrutiny because of their history of exporting terrorism around the world.

One problem with your contention about Trump and terrorist countries Hank. Saudi Arabia has produced and supports far more terrorism than countries identified by Trump (no they weren't identified by Obama, look it up). In fact, the terrorists that brought us 9-11 were funded by the Saudis. Yet, he didn't include Saudi Arabia. Why? Could it be because he has financial interests there?

If Trump is truly trying to "keep America safe" he would have put his ban in place against Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. So, spare us "he's trying to keep America safe." It's BS.

Agree. Saudi Arabia and Egypt should be added to the list of countries that the Obama Administration conveniently left off. The MENA countries continue to be a problem. We also need to ween ourselves off Saudi oil. To do that we need to open more Federal lands to oil exploration subject to rational environmental oversight.

Pakistan is an unusual situation with the Federal Government in a civil war with itself. So far our foreign policy is betting that the non-jihadists in control will be able to fend off the jihadists within the Federal Government. Pakistan is a true Charlie Foxtrot and is a paradigm of instability.

I knew a man at NAVAIR HQ in Crystal City, named Mel Berkowitz, who flew to Cairo on business in October 81. He was met at the airport by the Egyptian military and they beseeched him to attend an annual victory parade. He agreed and attended the parade. So he was sitting in the stands with his Egyptian military counterparts when all hell broke loose. Bullets were flying everywhere. Fortunately Mel wan't hit. However, he was traumatized by having a front row seat to witnessing the assassination of Anwar Sadat. He took the next flight back to DC and immediately turned in his retirement papers.

@openborders: that 3 million vote thing makes you change subjects fast - wow!

@Hank: you made up 700 words on why you think Trump is good to women. Here's Trump's own 8 word response:

Trump - I like to grab them by the p*ssy

Exhibit B, just after Trump married for the 3rd time: "I moved on her like a bit**, but I couldn’t get there. And she was married, then all of a sudden I see her, she’s now got the big phony t**s and everything."

Of all the stupid things to choose to attempt a defense for Trump, you went all the way back to his admitted sexual harassment of women. And then you use this? "ahead of his time in providing career advancement for women"

Sounds similar to the Roger Ailes career path plan. Don't forget to ask Andrea Mackris and many others about the Bill O'Rielly career plan. They settled more cases last week. Web Link

You have to realize that the Trump supporters on this board will swallow anything their Dear Leader or its minions put out.

Might want to ask them if the "Bowling Green Massacre" justifies the since-blocked immigration restrictions. (Many of the Trumpsters actually have expressed that view.)

Hank:

The Obama administration didn't "leave off" Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The Obama administration had nos such "list." Check Snopes if you don't believe me. I'm not going to waste my time doing research to prove what you already know.

We already don't have reliance on Saudi Oil or have you not been paying attention? And neat deflection from the question regarding their not making the list because of Trumps financial interests in Saudi Arabia. Care to actually address that or will you just continue to deflect.

I feel bad for your friend, but exactly what does that have to do with the price of tea in china as regards the current conversation. Hint: nothing. Stop deflecting. Answer the questions if you can.

U.S. Imports of Saudi oil
June 2016-33 Million 105 Thousand barrels
July 2016-32 Million 633 Thousand barrels
August 2016-35 Million 411 Thousand barrels
September 2016-36 Million 315 Thousand barrels
October 2016-31 Million 782 Thousand barrels
November 2016 30 Million 076 Thousand barrels

Dear Menlo Voter, The United States imports more oil from Saudi Arabia than from any other nation in the World except Canada. We import over 1 Million barrels per day from Saudi Arabia. It would help if you checked your facts and not bluff. This above information came from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

And as far as Egypt and Saudi Arabia are concerned the Obama Administration did leave them off. It knew that those two countries posed a dire terrorist threat and chose not to put them on the list. And you make the disingenuous remark "not making the list because of Trumps financial interests in Saudi Arabia". So what was Obama's reason not having Saudi Arabia on the list? Was he doing it as a favor to Donald Trump because they are such good pals? Or was it because of Saudi Arabia's 30 Million dollar contribution to the Clinton Foundation? Do you care to actually address that or will you just continue to deflect.

Web Link

Comparisons between a 2011 Obama administration slowdown on processing Iraqi visas and President Trump's stay on immigration from seven countries are inaccurate.

No such "list" I can find. Care to share it Hank?

Still cant find one person that says open borders

Hypocrates!

Open - did you mean "Hippocrates"?

Hypnotized Crates?

We have net migration of Mexicans SOUTH since 2008. But those Canadians!

Web Link

"President Trump's defenders maintained his January 2017 executive action on immigration and asylum targeted countries named by the Obama administration in 2015.

"WHAT'S TRUE
The "seven countries" targeted by President Trump's 27 January 2017 executive order pertaining to immigration were not mentioned by name and instead originated with "countr[ies] or area[s] of concern" first identified in the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 (expanded to all seven countries "of concern" in February 2016)."

"President Trump’s 27 January 2017 executive order mentioned only Syria by name; the six other countries associated with it were ones that had been identified by DHS as “of concern” as early as December 2015."

So it's actually DHS's "list" not Obama's.

Is this the "list" to which you refer Hank?

In September 2014 President Obama said “For if there was ever a challenge in our interconnected world that cannot be met by any one nation alone, it is this: terrorists crossing borders and threatening to unleash unspeakable violence. These terrorists believe our countries will be unable to stop them. The safety of our citizens demand that we do”. Congress decided to act.

In March 2015, the House Homeland Security Committee created a bipartisan task force on interdicting terrorist and foreign fighter travel. Eight House Members investigated the threat to our country from “foreign fighters”—individuals who leave home, travel abroad to terrorist safe havens, and join or assist violent extremist groups. The task force assessed domestic and overseas efforts to obstruct terrorist travel, as well as security gaps. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) was the lead Democrat on the Committee.

In December 2015 Congress passed the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 – with bi-partisan support, which President Obama signed into law - that removed waiver benefits for foreign nationals who had, since March 2011, visited certain countries supporting terrorism. The countries were identified as having a terrorist organization with a significant presence in the area, or the country was deemed a "safe haven" for terrorists. In 2015 the Obama Administration added Libya, Somalia, and Yemen.

These are the countries President Trump used in his 90 day temporary suspension of visas
Menlo Voter, I understand your confusion about DHS not working for the President. You see DHS is a cabinet position and all cabinet members report to the president. Also, the president gives broad direction and sometimes specific direction to his cabinet members–they do the work, and present it to the President for his approval. If he approves it, then he owns it. However, in this instance, Congress did the work and the president approved it when he signed the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 into law. I hope this clears up your confusion.

Typo. The Obama Administration added Libya, Somalia, and Yemen to the countries supporting terrorism list in 2016 not 2015. Actually it was in February 2016.

Hank: How's that Republican, America First, White House doing this morning? Now, all sing along, in your best Mr. Rogers voice: "Can you say 'Kompromat'? I knew you could!"

Tired Of Winning, yet?

You keep arguing a silly mythical point about Obama, when Trump has given the keys to The White House to Vladimir Putin.

Sad. Rome burns.

Hank: Here's a photo of Trump talking to Putin. Web Link

We now know there is one probable traitor in it. Are there more? Two? Three?

The others fall into what categories? Accomplices? Dupes? Idiots? Party-before-country hacks?

Sadly, Melissa McCarthy and Alec Baldwin will continue to have plenty of material for Saturday. Have you been enjoying their work? Web Link

Your photo doesn't prove anything other than President Trump was speaking on the phone. However, here is a photo of Obama speaking to Putin

Web Link

And Putin's probably thinking why I am wasting my time talking to this lightweight dilettante.

Nice try, Hank. Never said it was proof. It was for comparison purposes. We know about Flynn and his treasonous activities. The remaining questions pertain to the others in the photos - who do you think is next?

The list of Putin buddies removed from Trump's team is growing impressively: General Flynn and the FBI report, Carter Paige and his "Cash from Putin" campaign, Paul Manafort, etc.. Who's next? Easy bet is Spicer. Maybe Bannon. But what happens when we discover the rot is from the head? Trumppence.

Tired Of Winning, yet? Rand Paul just came out and said that the GOP will never get around to repealing healthcare if they have to investigate every time the GOP breaks the law:

"I just don't think it's useful to be doing investigation after investigation, particularly of your own party.

We'll never even get started with doing the things we need to do, like repealing Obamacare, if we're spending our whole time having Republicans investigate Republicans."

Wow! Is that the way you look at also?

So when Jimmy Carter went to the Democratic People's Reuplic of Korea (DPRK) in 1994, without permission from President Clinton to negotiate a nuclear deal was that a treasonous activity? The Clinton administration gave Carter permission to go to North Korea under the strict condition that his trip was private, a function of the Carter Center only, and that he was by no means an an official emissary of the United States Government. So after the unauthorized negotiations the feckless Carter goes on CNN to announce Kim Il Sung’s promises thus locking both sides into conducting the another round of negotiations, with the United States at a great disadvantage, eventually produced a lopsided deal heavily in favor the DPRK.

Carter's CNN interview infuriated the Clinton administration because it tacitly made clear to Carter, prior to his trip, that under no uncertain terms that he had no authority to negotiate on behalf of the U.S. Government. Then Carter, without authorization, proceeded to commit the Clinton Administration into a deal that Kim Il Sung had no intentions of honoring. Carter also made concessions that the Clinton Administration would have never agreed to but now were unfortunately stuck with. Carter undercut the Clinton Administration with his unauthorized negotiation that forced the Clinton Administration to conclude this one sided deal at a great disadvantage. That was a real Charlie Foxtrot.

Dude - Flynn LIED to the FBI.

Trump CAMPAIGN aides had frequent contact with Russian intelligence during the campaign.

What on earth are you saying? James Earl Carter was a compromised Korean spy?!?!??!?

What planet are you on?

"Phone records and intercepted calls show that members of Donald J. Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and other Trump associates had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election, according to four current and former American officials."

Frequent, repeated contact. With Russian spies, ie. their "handlers".

Do you care about America?

Instead of a sanctuary states and cities, I suggest you offer a sanctuary home, That way the immigrants are protected, well fed and clothed but not a financial burden on the citizens of those communities that oppose government paid for sanctuaries.

Long table, Thank you for correcting my spelling error, "Hypocrite"

Do you support open borders?

Ya can't have it both ways, My guess is you support your gardener, nanny, and house cleaner,

Also out of a world population of around 7.4 billion. I'll take a wild guess and say around 2 billion or 27% would love to live in our country, How about 10% only 740,000,000, or should we go with 5% only 370,000,000,
By God 5% is more than our total population,

or should we let them all in,

Come on, give us a straight yes or no answer for once.

My guess is you won't give a straight answer.

Long table,

By the way I don't believe there is a net migration of Mexicans going south but if you can source it I might believe you.

How about Central Americans, or South Americans or Africans, or Chinese, still net? please source

Thank you,

Homeland,

Sort of like the time Obama was hot miked saying to a senior Russian diplomat, "just tell vlady not to worry, once i'm elected we can talk more easily"

paraphrasing, perhaps you heard it?

'openborders' - dod a google search for YOUR phrase "net migration of Mexicans" Web Link and then wake up and smell the coffee. Or Stoli, as the case may be.

'openborders' joins Hank in deflection to some random Carter or Obama event that in no way compares - an abject lesson in false equivalency, or of head-in-the-sand party before patriotism.


- "Trump’s campaign and other Trump associates had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election"

- General Flynn lied to the FBI investigating his calls and previous Russian payments. The FBI said he was subject to Russian blackmail.


'openborders' and Hank: prime examples of party before country.

Example: Russia has violated a treaty with missile tests. Posted a spy vessel off the coast of Connecticut. Web Link Web Link Hank, 'openborders', Trump and other Russia sympathizers think this is okay. Trump and his pro-Putin buddies on his staff probably called him with well-wishes and hearty congrats!

Pozdravleniya, comrade!

I'm no longer a fan of Bush, but at least he and Condi knew what they were doing. McCain and Romney as well. Trump will give our country away for oligarch loans to his business, while 'openborders' and Hank wail on about "it was Clinton/Carter/Obama's fault."

Flynn lied to the Vice President. Whether he lied to the FBI depends on what questions they asked him. I'm sure with Menlo Park liberals direct ties to the FBI senior management that they are on top of things and are not speculating at all. Their word is golden. If Flynn lied to the FBI then he should suffer the same draconian treatment as Hillary Clinton did when she repeatedly lied to them.

Hillary told the FBI that she “never sent any classified material nor received any marked classified.” This was a lie. Hillary claimed before becoming secretary she had merely wanted only one device “for convenience.” This was also a lie. The FBI found that Clinton “used numerous mobile devices,” not to mention servers. Clinton — the most competent person to ever run for president, according to Barack Obama — claimed she didn’t understand how classified markings work. This was also a lie.

According to the FBI, Hillary sent 110 emails containing clearly marked classified information. Thirty-six of these emails contained secret information. Eight of those email chains contained “top secret” information.


I don't know whether Flynn lied to the FBI but it would be nearly impossible for Flynn to lie so egregiously and repeatedly to the FBI as Hillary Clinton did. It is funny how the liberal mind works. If a darling of the left lies it is like "So what, who cares". But if a conservative lies then he must be burned at the stake. The Double standard is alive and well in liberal land.

At the end of the day there were some distinct differences between Flynn and Clinton. Flynn owned up to his lie and left public service. Clinton lied about her lying and continued on deceiving the American public. Fortunately, the people weren't fooled by her egocentric solipsism.

Ever heard of the saying, "When you're digging yourself into a hole, stop digging"?

Do us all a favor, and stop digging.

Whaaaaaaaa!?!?!?

The integrity of American democracy is at stake, Russia has infiltrated our White House through the national security adviser and the two posters above pretending to be GOP district rep Hank Lawrence amble on about Hillary and Obama.

Who are Hank L and H Lawrence? And what have you done with the real Hank Lawrence, who used to love and protect America?

- "Trump’s campaign and other Trump associates had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election"

- General Flynn lied to the FBI investigating his calls and previous Russian payments. The FBI said he was subject to Russian blackmail.

Read David Frum yesterday.

Frum is a conservative of the highest order.

"A senior American official was compromised by his relationship with a foreign government. Who else has ties to the Russian state?"

In The Atlantic.

Still no answer to the question

"Should we have open borders?"

Amazing, you don't even deflect, you just won't answer the question

open borders - open a new thread. I, for one, will give you the answer.

Hank L - flynn was FIRED. Didn't "own up" to anything. Probably will show up under subpoena and disgrace the uniform by taking the 5th.

Every day a new twist. From an article in The Financial Times. Russians are defending their assets in America.

Nikolai Kovalev, former chief of the kgb/FSB:
"This is disinformation. There’s an information war against Trump in which, as we can see, all means are [considered] necessary. These political games will continue as long as anti-Russian sentiment has a serious presence in the American establishment."

There's a trustworthy source for open borders, Hank and the other appeasers.

Liberals, you should quit while you are ahead. For every instance of alleged corruption in the Trump Administration I can give you substantiated fact of corruption by Hillary Rodham Clinton. This one comes from the Gray Lady itself. The title of the New York Times article is:

"Cash Flowed to Clinton Foundation amid Uranium One deal".

Hillary Clinton allowed Russia to acquire 20% of the United States uranium production. And here are some direct quotes from that New York Times article dated April 23, 2015. Liberals, read it and weep.

"the sale gave the Russians control of one-fifth of all uranium production capacity in the United States. Since uranium is considered a strategic asset, with implications for national security, the deal had to be approved by a committee composed of representatives from a number of United States government agencies. Among the agencies that eventually signed off was the State Department, then headed by Mr. Clinton’s wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"As the Russians gradually assumed control of Uranium One in three separate transactions from 2009 to 2013, Canadian records show, a flow of cash made its way to the Clinton Foundation. Uranium One’s chairman used his family foundation to make four donations totaling $2.35 million. Those contributions were not publicly disclosed by the Clintons (no kidding), despite an agreement Mrs. Clinton had struck with the Obama White House to publicly identify all donors. Other people with ties to the company made donations as well.

"And shortly after the Russians announced their intention to acquire a majority stake in Uranium One, Mr. Clinton received $500,000 for a Moscow speech from a Russian investment bank with links to the Kremlin that was promoting Uranium One stock.

So there are allegations that people in the Trump Administration spoke to Russians. Did these talks put the United States at a disadvantage with Russia. Probably not. Did the Uranium One sale to Russia, approved by Hillary Clinton weaken out national security? The answer is a resounding and unqualified yes.

BTW, Ted Kennedy made secret overtures to the KGB to sabotage Reagan's re-election. I don't hear liberals crying foul on that. I find it interesting that Liberal Democrats engage in misconduct and that is par for the game in the liberal mind. But if a Republican does the same thing to a lesser extent Democrats are outraged. Only Democrats are allowed to misbehave and get away with it. Actually no one should misbehave. But it’s hypocritical for liberal Democrats to complain about misbehavior that they themselves have engaged in.

STOP. DIGGING.

Hank:

In case you haven't noticed, Clinton LOST. So worrying about Trump's problems are apt. Pointing to things that Clinton and others may or may not have done sounds like "he did it too, so I can do it too." Ever heard,"two wrongs don't make a right?"

I don't think Clinton is any angel, nor do I think she is "clean," but she didn't win so what does it matter what she did beyond "he did it too, so I can do it too"?

Just for clarity, I didn't vote for Clinton or Trump. They both disgust me.

Go arrest Clinton then. And Carter. And Obama.

But ABSOLUTELY investigate EVERY part of Russia's involvement in both the election, Trump's businesses and the cabinet.

I'm surprised with a name like Homeland security you support open borders,

Because you can't have it both ways,

They're either open or closed,

Actually you could have the status quo, which is a pretend wall? and we all know how that's worked out. 11 million illegals,

What is a real objection to a wall?

You didn't address the flood of illegals from other countries when discussing the net migration of mexicans,

You know it's funny the only liberal that actually had the balls to

Say "Open Borders" was


Hillary Clinton.

The rest of you should be ashamed of yourselves.

It's Obama's fault that the Trump campaign had to make all those calls to the KGB.

Thanks Obama! I knew it!

Yup, thanks Obama. You forced Manafort and Flynn to talk to all those Russian intelligence agencies. Obama also forced Trump to say all those nice things about a dictatorship that assassinates political opposition and reporters.

I am for Homeland Security FIRST. Do as suggested and create an open border thread and I will also participate.

Meanwhile, after years of supporting leaks, calling out loud for leaks, even begging the Russians for leaks, Trump is now against leaks.

Shocking.

Hank - Ted Kennedy? Gosh, you running out of graves to exhume? Is Reagan or FDR next?

You KNOW that Reagan is spinning in his grave watching the GOP defend and protect Trump's Russian transgressions.

Reagan: "Tear down this wall, unless the former head of the KGB has incriminating evidence on you, in which case, give him whatever he wants..."

Sad.

Trump just said "the leaks are real but the news is fake."

That is nonsensical to most. Does that make any sense to the Trump supporters?

Seriously - I am really trying to understand how one side can hear such different ideas from the same words that another side hears.

I was listening in the car, here's the real transcript.

"The leaks are absolutely real, the news is fake, because so much of the news is fake."

Q: "If the information coming from those leaks is real, then how can the stories be fake?"

"The reporting is fake. Here's the thing, the public isn't — you know, they read newspapers, they see television, they watch. They don't know if it's true or false because they're not involved. I'm involved."

Help me understand how that is interpreted by Trump followers. Please.

He also said "I am not a bad person."
Reminiscent of "I am not a crook", no?

I challenge any thinking person to listen to trump today without their head exploding.

* note: poster not liable for listener medical expense

"I challenge any thinking person to listen to trump today without their head exploding."

You can say that again. A bigger load of mashed up garbage I don't think I've ever heard.

Yes. I fret for my pal Hank. It may have been too much for him. Despite my earlier liability claim, I will gladly consider helping towards his medical expenses.

Especially since he obviously turns down Medicare, on the principle of it being bad government policy, and all that. Rand-esque, one might say.

Hope you are well, buddy.

Today's news conference was truly scary.

I detest having the IC needing to do all this, but the man is a flippin' loon. Gotta go.

My guess was it would be the JCS that would do it, under the assumption that he would order something crazy. I was wrong. It'll be the spooks.

Trump is out of his freaking mind

Removal. And of those that vouched for him.

I find it amusing all the fake news the liberals are promoting. On Tuesday Nancy Pelosi and Elijah Cummings were on national TV calling for the investigation of Michael Flynn based on a fake tweet. These bumbling incompetents don't even check their facts before confirming what most of America already knows--that is they are willing to believe anything pejorative about the Trump Administration even when it is proven to be demonstrably false. The New York Times also fell for the fake Michael Flynn tweet story. The New York Times standard for vetting is: If it's negative news about Trump then it must be true.

The today The AP puts out the fake National Guard News Story. The liberals are in such a frenzy that they lost the election that they are in meltdown. But take heart, I can see Hillary coming to the rescue. Hillary for President 2020. After all the donations to the Clinton Foundation has all but dried up and we all have to do our patriotic duty by keeping America's "First Parasites" flush with cash.

Hank sounds like Trump did yesterday.

"I find it amusing all the fake news the liberals are promoting"

Our popular-vote-losing President just said during his "I am a victim" press conference: "The Leaks Are Real"; so Hank finds some nonsense little news blip. And a news flash for our little SnowFlake: Hillary is not running again. Neither is Carter or Kennedy.

So "SAD!" that Hank Lawrence can't even defend his President, even though this is still Trump's honeymoon (apologies to Melania for bringing that nightmare image back.)

Me? I love the 6 times Trump deflected off the Russia question, then finally was nailed and had to legalese/parse: My campaign didn't have contact with Russia THAT I KNOW OF. Ain't the crime, Cheeto, it's the coverup.

Gosh. Too bad Cheeto isn't the boss, and can simply ask his campaign staff. Or is afraid to ask. Or already did ask and is now lying.

Time will tell.

Quote for the New York Times

"The officials would not disclose many details, including what was discussed on the calls, the identity of the Russian intelligence officials who participated, and how many of Mr. Trump’s advisers were talking to the Russians. It is also unclear whether the conversations had anything to do with Mr. Trump himself".

Quote from CNN

"Officials emphasized that communications between campaign staff and representatives of foreign governments are not unusual. However, these communications stood out to investigators due to the frequency and the level of the Trump advisers involved. Investigators have not reached a judgment on the intent of those conversations".

So this is what we know:

1)It is not unusual for incoming administrations to have contact with foreign governments

2) The content of these phone conversations have not been disclosed to the press so at this point in time the content of these conversations are conjecture. However, going forward this could change.

3) Unless someone can prove that Trump's Administration was trying to undermine Obama's foreign policy prior to January 20, 2017 at noon then what crime has been committed under the U.S.C?

1)It is not unusual for incoming administrations to have contact with foreign governments
* On the day that sanctions are announced, to call our enemy and tell them not to worry? Wow.

2) However, going forward this could change.
* Bet on it.

3) Unless someone can prove that Trump's Administration was trying to undermine Obama's foreign policy prior to January 20, 2017 at noon then what crime has been committed under the U.S.C?
* Are you kidding? Lets start with lying to the FBI while under investigation.

Why do you think popular-vote-loser Trump fired Flynn - because he fibbed to Pence? Yeah, right.

Helluva job for the first month.

Thank you Hank for putting this information in perspective,

There are a lot of Trump supporters out there but are afraid of the name calling, trash talk and being personally attacked.

"Thank you Hank for putting this information in perspective,"

putting what in perspective? did you watch his last press conference? The man is a loon.

Actually the man's a genius , How do you think he won what was an unwinnable election according to the press.

There's nothing in constitution that requires him to pander to the press

Now he's doing everything he ran on.

perspective:

no one is talking about Trump "pandering" to the press. The fact is Trump was downright disrespectful and openly hostile to the press. Have you ever seen a POTUS do that? If you think Trump should be able to rage on with all of his "alternative facts" and the press is printing "fake news" then you are as deluded as the Germans of the '30's. We have free press that gets to challenge the POTUS. What we have now is a POTUS that is so thin skinned that he can't stand anyone challenging his alternative reality. And folks like you that think its OK for him to lie his ass off unchallenged.

The man doesn't know how to tell the truth: Web Link

Trump has some genius at self promotion, but is not a genius. He handles authority well, and is a Grade A reality TV star.

No, Hank put nothing in perspective, other than "party before country".

Nothing requires Trump to pander to the press. Claiming the constitutionally protected free press is the ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE however, smacks of Ein Volk.

Russian sympathizers, Putin defenders. Try as they might, they can't defend Trump. Have to deflect.

With Donald's news of the terrible event in Sweden last night, IKEA has come to support Trump with the:

IKEA Border Wall Kit

- The basic model of the wall is 33ft (10 m) tall and 1,954 miles (3,144 km) long, although the height and length can be extended as desired. Includes the handy allen wrench.

Web Link

While I hate to 'normalize' anything Trump, the image is priceless. Especially in light of the disastrous event in Sweden.

Lew - thats funny!

Always like humor at the expense of the big box stores. It's a fault.

ObamaCare replacement is a disaster. Wait until the details emerge. Millions will have their lives altered in tragic ways.

ACA a.k.a Obamacare is simply a disaster. Instead of losing time to come up with a plan to replace it, utmost effort must be directed to its repeal. We would be much better of without Obamacare. Most importantly individual mandate has to go.

Why do we have to pay for the health care of others through the penalties we pay?

Personally as a perfectly healthy 84 year old Vegan who has never gotten sick his entire life, I hate to pay for the health care of people who get themselves sick by eating the flesh of animals I love. Obamacare, instead of enforcing penalties, should have made it mandatory for fish, meat, cheese, butter, yogurt eaters to watch documentaries like Earthlings, Cowspiracy, Food Inc, Forks Over Knives and should have enforced a visit to slaughterhouses in school field trips.

repeal ACA -- "Why do we have to pay for the health care of others through the penalties we pay?"

Typical selfish GOP rhetoric right there.

"Personally as a perfectly healthy 84 year old Vegan who has never gotten sick his entire life..."

Nice bit of fiction there.

Under obama care, my rates doubled, my deductible increased, and certain things are now strictly out of pocket,

I also don't buy the 84 year old baloney

"my rates doubled, my deductible increased, and certain things are now strictly out of pocket"

You got screwed. Or you didn't shop around. Or you fabricate.

I love the features - no preexisting conditions, etc.

Trump care will add 8k a year in rate increases. That's gonna leave a mark.

@repealACA: "Why do we have to pay for the health care of others through the penalties we pay?"

Crazy. Turn off Fox.

How much have you paid in penalties? I know this question will go unanswered, it's such an absurd claim.

The GOP AHCA plan gives half a trillion in tax cuts to the ultra wealthy, and takes healthcare away from working families and seniors.

Republicans are killers.

I'm glad Donna Brazil finally stepped up to the plate and admitted she gave the debate questions to crooked Hilliary and her corrupt crew.

CNN fired her the next day but they have yet to step up and admit they gave the questions to Brazil.

No wonder Trump calls them liars and fake news. The corruption continues on CNN.

Come on guys admit you try to rig the debate.

[Post removed. Please make your point without attacks.]

I never understood the fringe meme on cheating by knowing debates questions.

Seriously? Are you saying you DON'T know what the debate topics/questions will be?

You can't predict them? Sad.

Now how about that 600 billion in tax breaks for my top 1% while poor folks get screwed on their health insurance! No meals on wheels for half a million Vets.

But. Debate. Questions.

Ha. Love it.

[part removed.]

Always deflect,

Topics, yes, Actual questions are you serious?

Can't admit Corruption News Network cheated,

Fed the debate questions, couldn't win on merit

That's real news but not a word from CNN, just throw Brazil under the bus and look the other way,

Where's Wolf, Lemmon, Cooper?