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Darnell (TeleVerse)

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Like Gandalf, Congress Is Blocking Trump’s Anti-NAFTA Demon


Apparently all the fuss about President Trump unleashing Trumpageddon upon the economic masses is nothing more than hot air thanks to…Congress‽

The holdup in starting Nafta negotiations has actually been the U.S. Congress, which jealously guards its authority to shape U.S. trade agreements. The 2015 fast-track trade law requires the president to send Congress a 90-day notice before he can begin trade talks—and it also requires his U.S. trade representative to brief Congress before submitting that letter. Congress has yet to confirm Mr. Trump’s trade representative nominee, Robert Lighthizer, and so he has been unable to start talks. Lawmakers say Mr. Lighthizer may finally win confirmation in early May. That would push the start of the Nafta renegotiation to August at the earliest, or well past Mr. Trump’s first 100 days in office. (Wall Street Journal)

Until Congress confirms Robert Lighthizer the most Trump can do is yell & snort like a certain demon from Lord of the Rings…

Unfortunately Congress Republicans may suffer the fate of Gandalf & be dragged down towards the abyss as their two main options are:

  • Confirm Robert Lighthizer & watch Trump stagnant America’s economy by ending NAFTA prematurely or
  • Delay Lighthizer’s nomination indefinitely & watch Democrats capture Congress in 2018

Congress seems reluctant to give Trump power to alter or end this trade agreement on a whim so the GOP may sacrifice themselves in order to preserve the fellowship of the…NAFTA neighbors.

Image via Crooks & Liars

Discovered via: Pradheep Shanker MD & Shane Goldmacher

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This is fine…Donald Trump Poking The Chinese Dragon Is Fine‽


Welcome to The Upside Down America (also known as Bizarro World) where the normal rules of diplomacy are being lite on fire in the name of Trumpianism.

Apparently after decades of America, China, Taiwan, et al, embracing the “One China Policy” (a blatant diplomatic lie created to avoid a regional war) Donald Trump decided to poke the Chinese dragon—& China is not happy about this at all!

China’s Foreign Ministry said it had lodged “stern representations” with what it called the “relevant U.S. side”, urging the careful handling of the Taiwan issue to avoid any unnecessary disturbances in ties.

“The one China principle is the political basis of the China-U.S. relationship,” it said.

The wording implied the protest had gone to the Trump camp, but the ministry provided no explanation. (Reuters)

Trumpian supporters are already defending the Donald over this fiasco by making an odd compare & contrast with the outgoing President of the United States. 

While Barack Obama’s break with diplomatic precedence regarding Cuba is similar to China, the major difference is that unlike Cuba, China can hurt America economicly (via US debt) as well as militarily (via nukes).

Poking the dragon may be an ingenious strategy in the movies (cue The Hobbit of The Lord of the Rings)…

…but in reality initiating a diplomatic crisis with China could prove to be disastrous for everyone involved—at least those wary of experiencing another economic recession or worse (like a war).

But alas, what do I know‽ I am just another Never Trumper who voted third party out of fear of a novice (at best) creating global chaos out of a desire to be unpredictable. 

So forget everything I just typed! Everything is ok. This is fine…

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Paul LePage To USA: We Need An Authoritarian Like Trump


Maine’s Governor Paul LePage does not mince words when he (an alleged constitutional conservative) says the best thing for America is to elect an authoritarian whose name rhymes with chump.

“Sometimes, I wonder that our Constitution is not only broken, but we need a Donald Trump to show some authoritarian power in our country and bring back the rule of law because we’ve had eight years of a president, he’s an autocrat, he just does it on his own, he ignores Congress and every single day, we’re slipping into anarchy,” LePage said on Maine radio station WVOM. (CNN)

Note: For those in disbelief that LePage would promote authoritarianism, you can listen to the audio posted below (LePage’s crazy rant begins at 10:17).

Yes, the sitting Governor of the great state of Maine just advocated that an authoritarian (who tend to transform into dictators) is the best way to fix America.

Not only is LePage’s comment ignorant of past history (Mussolini, Hitler, Mao Zedong, et al) but also of current events (Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, Vladimir Putin of Russia, et al). 


Image: Mussolini & Hitler (via New World Encyclopedia)

Authoritarians do bring order to their respective nations but in almost every circumstance they abuse their elected position by oppressing critics of their power and eliminating political opponents.

Fortunately for America, Donald Trump is losing to Hillary Clinton (the latter who truth be told is awful—but is at least she is not fascistic).

Hopefully Maine’s Governor clarifies or recants his statements, lest the rest of the United States places Maine on their do not visit list (as LePage has a habit of making Maine look crazy).

Discovered via Hot Air

LePage Image Credit: Politico

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Has @BradThor of #NeverTrump Fame Forgotten the Yoda Rule?

With less than 90 days until America’s doom to be determined, a prominent voice within the #NeverTrump brigade is having second thoughts regarding his to the death Spartan stance:

Currently, there are only two drugs available that promise a cure.

The first is a decades-old generic, lacking any potency whatsoever. Studies have shown that Drug #1 not only won’t cure the cancer, but that it will actually strengthen it and speed our death. Drug #1 offers no upside whatsoever.

Drug #2 is being offered out of a clinic in Mexico. It claims to be a surefire, can’t lose, 100% guaranteed treatment. The clinic, though, is run by pockmarked, gold-toothed, oily-haired- men in bad suits with absolutely no medical backgrounds. They ogle your wife and daughter incessantly anytime you drop by for more information, and are constantly trying to upsell you into an oceanfront timeshare. (Hot Air)

I know how you feel Brad! After all, both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were on my politicians who I most loathe list due to their life long service in the art of corruption.

Yet here we are, on the verge of being checkmated by those who have dedicated themselves to enriching their own pockets at the expense of everyone else.

So should we gamble with Trump who has a 50% chance of embracing some semblance of conservatism or accept Hillary and attempt to resist the continued erosion of personal liberty? (at least with guns and health care)

While you fret over your awful options, I will apply the Yoda rule:

For lovers of liberty, there is another option–or rather options–available to us via Darrell Castle, Gary Johnson, Evan McMullin, et al, who are actively running for President to preserve and defend our freedoms from those who would encroach upon them.

My vote is not a cheap commodity that should be wasted upon corrupt rulers (no matter how dire the circumstances might be!).

It is a precious gift that was given to me at the cost of millions before me–many who never had the opportunity to experience true freedom despite ancient promises from the founding fathers.

To squander my vote upon either Crooked Hillary or Psycho Trump would be an insult to my ancestors before me, who fought and died so that I could have the right to influence my government for the better.

Darrell_Castle

Image of Darrell Castle via Independent Political Report

Truth be told I am not expecting a massive awakening amongst the American people regarding our so-called poisonous political options right now.

But that does not remove the fact that I still have a choice for good in this election–even if my voice is drowned out by millions of others attempting to vote for the lesser of two evils.

Come what may in November, I will choose the greater good instead–knowing full well that fighting for liberty is not a biennial ritual but rather a daily routine that must be strived for constantly lest we forfeit our freedoms to wicked rulers unworthy of the title of Leader.

Discovered via: Leon Wolf of Red State

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A New Hope? Tom Brady May Beat NFL, Roger Goodell In Appeal


It’s only 4 games you say.

But those first four games could signal the beginning of a playoff birth or initiate prayers for a wildcard entrance. 

Right now the question every Patriots fan is asking is, “Will the odds ever be in Tom Brady’s favor?”

What are Tom Brady’s odds against the NFL machine?

Not great. Only eight of more than 27,000 cases got a hearing from the full appeals court in the Second Circuit from 2000 to 2010, according to The Boston Globe.

But Olson said he was encouraged because the dissenting vote in Brady’s appeal was written by Chief Judge Robert A. Katzmann, who rarely breaks ranks with his fellow justices. Olson added that the core issue of the fairness of an arbitrator resonates far beyond this case. “This affects millions of people, the legal principles here, and we hope the court will recognize that it is more than about Tom Brady and the Patriots,” Olson said. (New York Times)

Yes, 8 out of 27,000 is approximately 0.03% (rounding up!), but in the words of Han Solo, “Never tell me the odds!”

Yes, the odds are against Tom Brady. 

Yes, it’s in the NFL’s best interest to hurt my Patriots (probably America’s most hated team). 

Yes, Roger Goodell is personally invested in destroying the Patriots for the sake of his legacy and ego. 

But New England has been here before—game after game—& come out on top!

So far in 2 court cases, 2 out of 4 judges sided with Tom Brady. 

And so far the future has yet to be written…

Looking forward to November!

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Red Pill Or Blue Pill? (Trump Or Hillary)

 

trumphill

Congratulations America! United States main options for president come down between the queen of corruption (Hillary Clinton) or the duke of fascism (Donald Trump).

Hillary Clinton (at best) represents a third term of Barack Obama, which means I will expect more bureaucratic incompetence, more former allies becoming frenemies, more enemies becoming emboldened against US (pun intended) and a dimming economic outlook for future generations.

Donald Trump (at best) represents massive trade wars (which can spiral into real wars), impending recession, increase of global conflicts (due to diminishing of war alliances between NATO, Japan, South Korea, et al), reduction of first amendment rights (at least for Muslims)–all in the name of Making America Great Again!

redpillbluepill

“You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.” ~Morpheus to Neo (The Matrix)

So which is it? Do I take the Blue Pill and play it “safe,” accepting future stagnation and corruption of government under Hillary?

Or do I roll the dice, take the red pill and gamble America’s future (and perhaps half of planet Earth) on returning some long forgotten prosperity that was only experienced by half of the United States? (after all, not everyone had equal rights back in the day)

Instead of picking the blue pill or red pill, how about I just say no to drugs and choose neither option instead?

After all, choosing between socialism lite (under Hillary) and fascism lite (under Trump) would be like a sheep choosing between a wolf or a lion to lead their flock.

lesserof2evils

If neither Trump nor Hillary will benefit me in the future, why should I select one destroyer out of fear of the other?

Despite having friends who are passionate about Trump and Hillary (and who constantly attempt to woo me over to their respective side), I can not fathom living under the reign of either, let alone empowering (or should I say endorsing) a corrupt official with my vote.

Instead of picking the lesser of two evils, instead I am going to vote for neither.

Note: I would vote libertarian but alas it looks like Gary Johnson may win the nomination again (he has a weird view of the first Amendment that makes Trump look good!)

This November will probably be the last time I cast a ballot (as I will vote down ticket) and after that I will work on my exit strategy in order to escape this pending American nightmare.

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Donald Trump Just Gave Hillary Clinton The Election

  
I want to be wrong but alas the Trump Train continues to trek towards dumbogeddon, dragging the Republican Party behind into a new era of socialistic utopia (if such a thing exists).

What did Donald “I have the worlds greatest memory” Trump say that will help Hillary Clinton win a Democratic super majority powerful enough to rewrite the constitution‽ 

This…

…which is odd because a few days ago Donald Trump said…

So why did Donald “Make America Great Again” Trump refuse to disavow David Duke again days after he did previously‽ 

Perhaps it’s because:

  • Donald Trump is a mere mortal like the rest of us (he forgets important historical details)
  • Donald Trump needs the white supremacist vote to win (as most minority groups will not vote for him)
  • Donald Trump is trying to end his campaign because being President scares him
  • Donald Trump is being Donald Trump

Irregardless of the real reason, all Hillary Clinton has to do is make an ad out of the first video & play it throughout the United States.

This will result in every American of African, Asian or Hispanic decent to vote against Donald Trump & the GOP out of fear of watching a closet Nazi lead the free world towards the dark side. 

In other words (Not Safe For Work)… 

Discovered via: 

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Ted Cruz Using Barack Obama’s Tactics In Iowa‽ 

  
Another election year, another lawyer turned junior Senator is running for President of the United States.

But of all the Presidents to mimic, why would anyone (especially a Republican) adopt a tactic used by Barack Obama‽

Up is down & black is white apparently.

More from Independent Journal:

Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler confirmed to IJ Review that the mailer was theirs in a phone call Friday evening, saying that the targeting had been “very narrow, but the caucuses are important and we want people who haven’t voted before to vote.”

Worse is this same tactic was used by allies of Barack Obama in Iowa (& condemned for the same reason). 

Brilliant strategy Ted! People are already unnerved by massive privacy violations from their own government!

Truthfully this fiasco helps out Donald Trump by convincing undecided voters to join the Storm Trumper brigade or the Rubio Revolution, weakening Ted Cruz in a state he must win (as New Hampshire, Nevada & South Carolina are leaning towards Trump…gulp!). 

Unless Ted Cruz desires to see Donald Trump as President, he needs to resist adopting tactics by the party he routinely condemns lest America ends up with another egomaniac as President.

Discovered via: Red State & Twitter (links below). 

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Security: Will Facebook Now Force Instagram To Adopt 2-Step Login‽

  
Another weak & another Instagram breach. This time by a…white hat hacker‽ 

But Wineberg carried on probing for more weaknesses in Instagram’s architecture. He said he’d found a server configuration file that contained some keys for Amazon Web Services, the cloud computing provider used to host Instagram’s Sensu setup. Those keys let him see that there were 82 different “buckets” – Amazon’s term for digital storage units. The same keys, however, did not allow him to access any of the buckets apart from one. He looked through the latest file in that bucket and found nothing sensitive, but when he looked at an older version of the file, hidden within was yet another Amazon set of keys. These gave him access to all 82 buckets. 

He was shocked by the basic errors Instagram had made. “It’s the kind of thing I would have expected from a startup after a year or less, not a company owned by Facebook,” he told FORBES. (Forbes)

Facebook is enraged by this breach (and rightfully so), although it makes me wonder why Instagram has yet to implement 2-Step Login (aka 2-Factor Authentification) as another layer of protection for the 400 million plus users accessing the site. 

Facebook has already implemented 2-Step Login, as well as Tumblr, Twitter, Google, WordPress, et al, yet Instagram is somehow too lazy or too inept to provide this because [insert silly excuse here].

  
I love Instagram (I am @Darnell over there) but if they do not care about the security of their users then why should they upload photos and videos to the site‽

If you ask me it’s time for a friendly Facebook intervention by Zuck & crew into the instaverse lest our Instagram accounts get seized by a black hat hacker!

Image Credits: Instagram & SecurEnvoy

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