Trump is "a clear and present danger"

Discussion in 'Politics' started by Ivan Seeking, Aug 9, 2016.

  1. Ivan Seeking Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    957
    Just now, in an interview on CNN with Jake Tapper, Michael Hayden, retired United States Air Force four-star general and former Director of the National Security Agency, Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency., one of the 50 GOP intelligence experts who signed the warning letter about Trump, just stated that Trump is a clear and present danger to the United States and the world.

    He also specified that the group of 50 who signed the letter felt they needed to issue "a warning".

    He also said that Trump's comment about the 2nd amendment people stopping the problem with Hillary's judges, would have anyone else being questioned in the back of a van by the Secret Service.



     
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  3. iceaura Valued Senior Member

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    That isn't true. There is a fairly long list of prominent Republican pundits and politicians and the like who have suggested "2nd Amendment solutions" in various language ("remedies") and pictorial evocations (cross hairs from a gun scope) to the problem of liberal politicians or inconvenient judges, without (apparently) coming under special scrutiny by the Secret Service. It's a familiar trope, in Republican Party political discourse.

    Some people have objected, of course - and we have a thread on one manner in which the objections have been handled, by the major media: the objections have been labeled "politically correct", and accordingly dismissed.
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2016
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  5. Ivan Seeking Registered Senior Member

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    Okay, I'll believe you instead of him. But first, your credentials would be...? How many intelligence agencies have you run?
     
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  7. Ivan Seeking Registered Senior Member

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    "STATEMENT BY FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICIALS
    The undersigned individuals have all served in senior national security
    and/or foreign policy positions in Republican Administrations, from
    Richard Nixon to George W. Bush. We have worked directly on
    national security issues with these Republican Presidents and/or their
    principal advisers during wartime and other periods of crisis, through
    successes and failures. We know the personal qualities required of a
    President of the United States.

    None of us will vote for Donald Trump.

    From a foreign policy perspective, Donald Trump is not qualified to be
    President and Commander-in-Chief. Indeed, we are convinced that he
    would be a dangerous President and would put at risk our country’s
    national security and well-being.

    Most fundamentally, Mr. Trump lacks the character, values, and
    experience to be President. He weakens U.S. moral authority as the
    leader of the free world. He appears to lack basic knowledge about and
    belief in the U.S. Constitution, U.S. laws, and U.S. institutions,
    including religious tolerance, freedom of the press, and an independent
    judiciary.

    In addition, Mr. Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that he has little
    understanding of America’s vital national interests, its complex
    diplomatic challenges, its indispensable alliances, and the democratic
    values on which U.S. foreign policy must be based. At the same time,
    he persistently compliments our adversaries and threatens our allies and
    friends. Unlike previous Presidents who had limited experience in
    foreign affairs, Mr. Trump has shown no interest in educating
    himself. He continues to display an alarming ignorance of basic facts of
    contemporary international politics. Despite his lack of knowledge, Mr.
    Trump claims that he understands foreign affairs and “knows more
    about ISIS than the generals do.”
    StatementofFormerNationalSecurityOfficials.docx

    Mr. Trump lacks the temperament to be President. In our experience, a
    President must be willing to listen to his advisers and department heads;
    must encourage consideration of conflicting views; and must
    acknowledge errors and learn from them. A President must be
    disciplined, control emotions, and act only after reflection and careful
    deliberation. A President must maintain cordial relationships with
    leaders of countries of different backgrounds and must have their respect
    and trust.

    In our judgment, Mr. Trump has none of these critical qualities. He is
    unable or unwilling to separate truth from falsehood. He does not
    encourage conflicting views. He lacks self-control and acts
    impetuously. He cannot tolerate personal criticism. He has alarmed our
    closest allies with his erratic behavior. All of these are dangerous
    qualities in an individual who aspires to be President and Commanderin-
    Chief, with command of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.

    We understand that many Americans are profoundly frustrated with the
    federal government and its inability to solve pressing domestic and
    international problems. We also know that many have doubts about
    Hillary Clinton, as do many of us. But Donald Trump is not the answer
    to America’s daunting challenges and to this crucial election.

    We are convinced that in the Oval Office, he would be the most reckless
    President in American history
    .

    Donald B. Ayer
    Former Deputy Attorney General
    John B. Bellinger III
    Former Legal Adviser to the Department of State; former Legal Adviser
    to the National Security Council, The White House
    StatementofFormerNationalSecurityOfficials.docx
    Robert Blackwill
    Former Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Planning, The
    White House
    Michael Chertoff
    Former Secretary of Homeland Security; former Assistant Attorney
    General for the Criminal Division, Department of Justice
    Eliot A. Cohen
    Former Counselor of the Department of State
    Eric Edelman
    Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; former National Security
    Advisor to the Vice President, The White House
    Gary Edson
    Former Deputy National Security Advisor, The White House
    Richard Falkenrath
    Former Deputy Homeland Security Advisor, The White House
    Peter Feaver
    Former Senior Director for Strategic Planning, National Security
    Council, The White House
    Richard Fontaine
    Former Associate Director for Near East Affairs, National Security
    Council, The White House
    Jendayi Frazer
    Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for
    African Affairs; former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
    StatementofFormerNationalSecurityOfficials.docx
    Aaron Friedberg
    Former Deputy National Security Advisor to the Vice President, The
    White House
    David Gordon
    Former Director of Policy Planning, Department of State
    Michael Green
    Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asia,
    National Security Council, The White House
    Brian Gunderson
    Former Chief of Staff, Department of State
    Paul Haenle
    Former Director for China and Taiwan, National Security Council, The
    White House
    Michael Hayden
    Former Director, Central Intelligence Agency; former Director, National
    Security Agency
    Carla A. Hills
    Former U.S. Trade Representative
    John Hillen
    Former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs
    William Inboden
    Former Senior Director for Strategic Planning, National Security
    Council, The White House
    StatementofFormerNationalSecurityOfficials.docx
    Reuben Jeffery III
    Former Under Secretary of State for Economic Energy and Agricultural
    Affairs; former Special Assistant to the President for International
    Economic Affairs, National Security Council, The White House
    James Jeffrey
    Former Deputy National Security Advisor, The White House
    Ted Kassinger
    Former Deputy Secretary of Commerce
    David Kramer
    Former Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and
    Labor
    James Langdon
    Former Chairman, President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, The
    White House
    Peter Lichtenbaum
    Former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration
    Mary Beth Long
    Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
    Clay Lowery
    Former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs;
    former Director for International Finance, National Security Council,
    The White House
    Robert McCallum
    Former Associate Attorney General; former Ambassador to Australia
    StatementofFormerNationalSecurityOfficials.docx
    Richard Miles
    Former Director for North America, National Security Council, The
    White House
    Andrew Natsios
    Former Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development
    John Negroponte
    Former Director of National Intelligence; former Deputy Secretary of
    State; former Deputy National Security Advisor
    Meghan O’Sullivan
    Former Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan
    Dan Price
    Former Deputy National Security Advisor
    Tom Ridge
    Former Secretary of Homeland Security; former Assistant to the
    President for Homeland Security, The White House; former Governor of
    Pennsylvania
    Nicholas Rostow
    Former Legal Adviser to the National Security Council, The White
    House
    Kori Schake
    Former Director for Defense Strategy, National Security Council, The
    White House
    Kristen Silverberg
    Former Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations
    StatementofFormerNationalSecurityOfficials.docx
    Stephen Slick
    Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for
    Intelligence Programs, National Security Council, The White House
    Shirin R. Tahir-Kheli
    Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for
    Democracy, Human Rights and International Operations, National
    Security Council, The White House; former Ambassador and Senior
    Advisor for Women’s Empowerment, Department of State
    William H. Taft IV
    Former Deputy Secretary of Defense; former Ambassador to NATO
    Larry D. Thompson
    Former Deputy Attorney General
    William Tobey
    Former Deputy Administrator, National Nuclear Security
    Administration, Department of Energy; former Director for Counter-
    Proliferation Strategy, National Security Council, The White House
    John Veroneau
    Former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative
    Kenneth Wainstein
    Former Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and
    Counterterrorism, The White House; former Assistant Attorney General
    for National Security, Department of Justice
    Matthew Waxman
    Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense; former Director for
    Contingency Planning and International Justice, National Security
    Council, The White House
    StatementofFormerNationalSecurityOfficials.docx"
    https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/3007589/Nationalsecurityletter.pdf
     
  8. Ivan Seeking Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    957
    http://www.realclearpolitics.com/vi...and_present_danger_i_fear_for_our_future.html
     
  9. arfa brane call me arf Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    7,832
    For some reason which I can probably explain, my mind is going over, and over, the song Dirty Creature by Split Enz.

    Yes folks, Donald J is that Dirty Creature--the song was written by the brothers Finn, and obviously it's about the bogeyman.
    Just to recap:

    Dirty Creature come my way, from the bottom of a big black lake
    Shuffles up to my window, making sure I'm awake
    'S prob'ly gonna pick my brain, got me in a vice-like grip
    --He said, "One slip, you're dead, ha!"

    Dirty Creature of habit, little horror here to stay
    Anyone in his right mind, would tell it to go away!
    But the river of dread runs deep, full of unspeakable things
    The Creature don't mess around, I don't wanna mess with him

    I don't wanna sail, I don't wanna sail
    I don't wanna, I don't wanna sail tonight . . .
    Even as we speak the Dirty Creature springs a nasty surprise!

    Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!


    Sorry, Split Enz is sorta close to my heart, being from Hamilton which is just up the road (as we say) from Te Awamutu.
     
  10. Ivan Seeking Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    957
    Don Lemon, CNN anchor, just got into a yelling match with a Trump supporter, a former secret service agent, over the interpretation of Trumps comments in regard to the 2nd A people. Lemon was calling him a liar.

    Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

    Lemon's basic point was that we're not stupid. Trump clearly said what he said no matter how you try to spin it.

    David Gergen who is a highly respected former advisor to 4 Presidents, a Republican, calls this a dog whistle for people who want to overthrow the government. He isn't mincing words.

    In fact, the Secret Service has noted his comments and publically said so. That was a clear warning.

    Trump is friendly with Putin, has advisors with interests in Russia, and plays games with notions of killing a US President?
     
  11. iceaura Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    30,994
    Why not just check the relevant facts? Then you don't have to "believe" anybody.

    Such as Sara Palin - Republican candidate for President one step removed from an old guy with medical issues - publishing a compendium of photographs of various significant candidates for office overlaid with the crosshairs of a rifle scope, centered.

    All you have to do is search the net for "2nd amendment solutions remedies responses" or something - this has been a fairly common Republican trope.

    The Donald is not saying anything that mainstream, ordinary, respected, upper echelon Republican pundits and politicians haven't been saying for decades now. He's just plain and vulgar, none of this pussyfooting around.
     
  12. timojin Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    3,252
    Why worry let him win he will be impeached in his first year , and so the VP will be the president .
     
  13. Magical Realist Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    16,602
    We hold presidential candidates to a higher standard than talk radio pundits. Secret service personel have already emphasized this. You don't send out dog whistles to anti-tyranny gun nuts in campaign speeches about taking out the opposing candidate. It isn't done. It's verboten. A no no..What else needs to be said?
     
  14. Magical Realist Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    16,602
  15. iceaura Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    30,994
    The Republican base does not. As the popularity of Sara "cross hairs" Palin, George W Bush, and Ronald Reagan, demonstrated long ago.
    That it hasn't been "verboten" for a long time. Not for Republicans, or their media operations. It's been tolerated, in steadily more flagrant and blatant forms, for decades now.
    By whom? For what?
     
  16. Magical Realist Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    16,602
    Go ahead and supply us with those quotes then. I'd be interested in how such candidates' calls for assassination slipped under the radar of the media and the secret service and the FBI...
     
  17. billvon Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    21,635
    Ah. So you do not understand what dog-whistle politics is.
     
  18. Magical Realist Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    16,602
    Was it claimed that they were dog whistled? I must've missed that part..Here's the part I didn't miss:

    "It's been tolerated, in steadily more flagrant and blatant forms, for decades now."
     
  19. Ivan Seeking Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    957
    http://news.trust.org/item/20160810190438-h1647/
     
  20. iceaura Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    30,994
    They also looked into the many, many past instances of that kind of threat - like this from 1994: http://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/23/us/helms-takes-new-swipe-at-clinton-then-calls-it-mistake.html .

    We have no evidence that anyone - even one time, one person - in the decades of increasingly flagrant deployment of such threats by major Republican politicians and pundits, has ever spent any time being " questioned in the back of a van, by the Secret Service".

    We have no evidence that any of those Republican politicians and pundits suffered any serious bad consequences whatsoever, personal or professional. In fact many seem to have benefitted, and continued their public careers in good standing with their Party, the press, and white men 35-65. That actually justifies a bit stronger term than the moderate, conservative, wishy-washy term "tolerated" - approval and benefit is supported by the facts.

    They "had conversations" with one of Trump's flunkies? Good for them. Maybe the Donald will tone it down a bit. Or maybe not - the Tribe has a hero now, and it's hard to resist the temptation to play the hero.
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2016
  21. arfa brane call me arf Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    7,832
    Why isn't it a surprise that, when asked to comment about the latest (or any) Trump dump, "many people are saying" it was a joke?
    These many people who are saying that, have said it before, so how do they know?

    Do they know because, they know all his jokes already?
    Wait, wait, I think I'm starting to get it. Everything he says or does is a joke, right? Am I right?
    A bad joke, a really bad joke, believe me.
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2016
  22. Ivan Seeking Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    957
    http://www.defensenews.com/story/de...lary-clinton-negroponte-donley-bush/88513482/
     
  23. sculptor Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    8,466
    Know your sources:
    Michael Hayden is employed by the chertoff group which is part of the mic.
    Hillary hawk is a war monger, Trump might break their rice bowls, so, of course they will try to use scare tactics to insure that they continue to get rich off of war, death, and destruction.

    He said: "Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's proposed military cuts... entail a great deal of risk," says Gen. Michael Hayden, the former head of both the National Security Agency and the CIA.

    "The first instinct I had was, well, I'm glad I'm not in government anymore..."

    This is the same nsa that spied on americans in america. I'm glad that he isn't in government anymore too. Now if he would just stfu...
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2016

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