Well... it's Trump... again. #47, here we go.

[Elixir]

I HAVE locked my car-keys in my car TWICE in the U.S., each time summoning a locksmith.

Here’s how much of an idiot savant I am;
My second ever new car was a 1977 Honda Accord. Great car. I parked it on a Boulder street one evening and went carousing, woke up in some ladies’ apartment. Went out to the car, and … no key. I got someone to give me a ride home, 6-7 miles up Four Mile Canyon west of town. I had a second car key somewhere in the house, but couldn’t find it.
Rather than suffer the indignity of calling a locksmith, I waited several days hoping one of the two known keys would turn up, but … no luck. Then one night I was picturing the lost key in my mind. It had a code stamped on it - an eleven digit number in tiny print on the key handle. I had never paid any conscious attention to it, but somehow I was able to picture it in my mind, and actually read it from the picture in my mind!
Went to the hardware store, gave them the number and unbelievably, it worked. I was - and still am - amazed.

 

[crazyfingers]

One of the worst things about Trump's first term was getting up in the morning worrying about what crazy shit Trump just did. I resist opening the news but feel that I have to know the basics of what's happening.

So as people know Trump had the military send some undocumented citizens from south America back. He didn't use the established procedures when sending the flights and some got turned away such as Colombia which as typically accepted the return of their citizens but though proper protocols. No proper protocols in this case and instead of using civilian aircraft, they were sent back by the military and reportedly in handcuffs.

So as result Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on Colombia as well as other financial sanctions and other measures that you typically use on enemies, not allies. Colombia is considered to be a US allies.

Fucking Trump is a turd. His negotiating tactics rely mainly on bullying and threats. Who would want to be an allai of the US with this kind of BS?

Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, said earlier Sunday in a series of social media posts that Colombia would not accept military deportation flights from the United States until the Trump administration provided a process to treat Colombian migrants with “dignity and respect.”

The United States will immediately impose a 25 percent tariff on all Colombian imports, and will raise them to 50 percent in one week, Mr. Trump said on social media.

The Trump administration will also “fully impose” banking and financial sanctions against Colombia, and will apply a travel ban and revoke visas of Colombian government officials, the president said.

Trump Hits Colombia With Tariffs in Feud Over Military Deportation Flights

Gustavo Petro said that the United States should not treat Colombian migrants as criminals and that he had already turned away U.S. military flights carrying deportees.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Derec]

So as people know Trump had the military send some undocumented citizens from south America back. He didn't use the established procedures when sending the flights and some got turned away such as Colombia which as typically accepted the return of their citizens but though proper protocols.

Traditionally Colombia also did not have a far leftist president who used to belong to the M-19 guerilla/terrorist organization. His political party grew out of M-19.
Trump of course should have followed proper protocols (he is like an elephant in a china shop even when his overall goals are good), but let's not pretend that Colombia has a normal government either.

Colombia is considered to be a US allies.

Traditionally, yes. But, again, Gustavo Petro is a wildcard.

 

[GenesisNemesis]

Where are all the "Trump would NEVER do this" people?

Oh yeah I have them on ignore anyway.

 

[crazyfingers]

So as people know Trump had the military send some undocumented citizens from south America back. He didn't use the established procedures when sending the flights and some got turned away such as Colombia which as typically accepted the return of their citizens but though proper protocols.

Traditionally Colombia also did not have a far leftist president who used to belong to the M-19 guerilla/terrorist organization. His political party grew out of M-19.
Trump of course should have followed proper protocols (he is like an elephant in a china shop even when his overall goals are good), but let's not pretend that Colombia has a normal government either.

Colombia is considered to be a US allies.

Traditionally, yes. But, again, Gustavo Petro is a wildcard.

Red herring. In no way was Trump's action well considered. It's the actions of a bully and negotiation by threat. Trump is a menace.

 

[Derec]

I keep some tens around to tip the house cleaning women

I keep ones to tip strippers. And higher denominations for lap dances and ... uhm ... other activities best paid in cash.

 

[Derec]

Red herring. In no way was Trump's action well considered.

It wasn't. That does not mean that Petro wasn't itching for an excuse to deny the flights.

It's the actions of a bully and negotiation by threat. Trump is a menace.

Agreed. Even when I agree with him on something (like making it easier to deport illegals), he usually goes about it the wrong way.

 

[Shadowy Man]

So, according to this article (https://www.npr.org/2025/01/25/g-s1-44677/lumbee-tribe-recognition-north-carolina-trump) Trump wants to recognize the Lumbee tribe of North Carolina as Native America. Because they supported him.

But according to this article (https://www.juneauempire.com/news/b...americans-questioned-by-trump-administration/) Trump wants to strip Native Americans of their 14th amendment citizenship.

Maybe the Lumbees should think twice about their support?

 

[Shadowy Man]

Apparently, flying the people back on military cargo planes is costing us over twice as much as the usual chartered flights.

So much for government efficiency!

 

[Derec]

Many people here in the Kingdom pay for EVERYTHING -- even a pack of chewing gum -- by pointing their phone at a QR-code.

Kingdom? Would that be Thailand?
And if so, would people also pay, say, "bar girls" by pointing a phone at a QR code or is cash more advisable in that instance?

I use cash for almost everything; even with the time spent waiting for change it's slightly faster than the QR scan with its clicks and acknowledgements.

I use cash for small transactions and things I'd rather kept private. Other than that CCs get you a couple of percent cash back. Worth it if you don't carry a balance.

I do lose about 0.1% at the ATM cash dispenser, while paying with phone is absolutely free.

You can't withdraw money for free from an ATM belonging to your bank?

The network has never acted up such as to prevent my use of at least one of multiple non-cash payment options.

It does not happen much, but I have come across "system down. Cash only" or even worse "exact change only" on occasion.

My son received his diploma recently, handed to him personally by the King's older sister. We spent a few hours afterward walking around the CMU campus taking photos. Most of the graduates had necklaces built from banknotes, mostly 100s and 1000s. (I felt sorry for the graduate who was sporting 20s.)

If Thailand, 1000 bhat is only about $30 American. So I can see why you feel sorry for the kids decorated with 20s.

I not only gave my son several 1000's but made sure the fronts all featured the portrait of the Beloved(?) Rama Number 9 rather than the இஇஇஇஇஇஇஇ --[the Kingdom has Lèse-majesté laws] Rama Number 10 featured on all recent printings.

The only Rama I know is written by Arthur Clark. Had to look it up to confirm it is indeed Thailand. Are you Thai or an ex-pat?

Americans -- Don't forget to take lots of $2 bills (I assume they're still rare) when you visit Cambodia, where the U.S. dollar is a default currency. Tipping a $2 picture of Thomas Jefferson is appreciated as much as three $1 George Washington pictures.

Good to know if I ever find myself there. I do love the $2 bill though. Too bad it is not in a more common use here.

 

[Derec]

Apparently, flying the people back on military cargo planes is costing us over twice as much as the usual chartered flights.
So much for government efficiency!

DOGE is on it!

 

[Derec]

But according to this article (https://www.juneauempire.com/news/b...americans-questioned-by-trump-administration/) Trump wants to strip Native Americans of their 14th amendment citizenship.

Well, the 14th explicitly excludes Indians.
Also, more generally the idea that Indians should both be US citizens and members of sovereign nations who pay no federal taxes or follow certain US laws and with whom USA enters into treaties with is pretty bonkers. It should be one or the other, not both.

 

[Derec]

IIDB has at least 3 or 4 members who approve of Trumpism, but at this point hearing their opinions on Trump-47 will be more sad than amusing. I WILL ask @Derec specifically though. He seems to agree with Trump on almost all policy issues despite never voting for him. @Derec -- what do you think of Trump-47 so far?

That's a bold-faced lie! I disagree with Trump on most of his positions. And even where I agree with him on principle, he has been a disaster when it comes to implementation.
But just because I disagree with contemporary Democrats on a lot of things does not make me a Trump supporter. In three elections, I voted for him zero times. In 2024 I voted for Kamala and Knucklehead, even if I thought that they were by far not the best Democrats could have offered. It turned out I was right.

 

[GenesisNemesis]

IIDB has at least 3 or 4 members who approve of Trumpism, but at this point hearing their opinions on Trump-47 will be more sad than amusing. I WILL ask @Derec specifically though. He seems to agree with Trump on almost all policy issues despite never voting for him. @Derec -- what do you think of Trump-47 so far?

That's a bold-faced lie! I disagree with Trump on most of his positions. And even where I agree with him on principle, he has been a disaster when it comes to implementation.
But just because I disagree with contemporary Democrats on a lot of things does not make me a Trump supporter. In three elections, I voted for him zero times. In 2024 I voted for Kamala and Knucklehead, even if I thought that they were by far not the best Democrats could have offered. It turned out I was right.

That's neat. Like it or not you're still part of the problem.

 

[Derec]

I’m assuming it’s because he said everyone should wear masks, which were useless and annoying, and he wouldn’t back the use of ivermectin, which would have cured everyone of Covid.

I think it might have to do with mixed messages. Early on he was saying it was not advisable to wear masks.

“Right now, in the United States, people should not be walking around with masks,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, an immunologist and a public face of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, on CBS’ “60 Minutes” earlier this month. He, like the others, suggested that masks could put users at risk by causing them to touch their face more often.

Mask mystery: Why are U.S. officials dismissive of protective covering?
He rectified it later, but the 180° change in recommendation did damage to his credibility.

Useless?

I am almost sure SM is being facetious. See his ivermectin comment.

You realize those of us who have never had Covid are almost all pretty strict mask wearers? Real ones, not the dick-nosed surgical ones. Yes, I mean you, lady, who was wearing at least three surgicals on top of each other. Dick-nosed.

I wonder how many people who "never had COVID" got it but never got tested because they did not have symptoms or whose symptoms were mild. I certainly had colds during the worst of the Pandemic, but nothing out of ordinary, so I just stayed home and did not bother getting tested. So I might well have contracted it without knowing it. And I did wear N95 masks regularly as soon as I could get my hands on some. But remember, early in the Pandemic it was hard to get your hands on good masks.

 

[Derec]

That's neat. Like it or not you're still part of the problem.

How so? Demanding complete devotion to one side of the aisle or the other is the problem, no matter for which side.

 

[lostone]

I keep some tens around to tip the house cleaning women

I keep ones to tip strippers. And higher denominations for lap dances and ... uhm ... other activities best paid in cash.

I'm Glad and heartened to see that you spend your money on worthy causes

 

[bilby]

more generally the idea that Indians should both be US citizens and members of sovereign nations who pay no federal taxes or follow certain US laws and with whom USA enters into treaties with is pretty bonkers. It should be one or the other, not both.

What, you've never heard of dual citizenship?

I am both a UK citizen, and a citizen and resident of a sovereign nation who pays no UK taxes, is not subject to UK laws, and whose country enters into treaties with the UK on a regular basis.

These facts do not meet the DSM-V criteria for a diagnosis of 'bonkers'.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Jebus, Trump is an asshole!

President Donald Trump on Sunday announced strict tariffs and visa restrictions on Colombia after the South American nation’s president, Gustavo Petro, said his country will not accept deportation flights from the United States unless the Trump administration ensures that repatriated Colombian migrants are treated with the “dignity that a human being deserves.”

In a series of posts shared on X on Sunday, Petro said the U.S. can’t treat Colombian migrants “like criminals.”
“I do not authorize the entry of North American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory,” Petro said. “The U.S. must establish a protocol of dignified treatment of migrants before we receive them.”

On Sunday, Trump retaliated by announcing tariffs of 25 percent immediately, rising to 50 percent in a week, on all Colombian goods coming into the United States after he said two U.S. flights were turned away. He also issued a travel ban and said the United States would immediately revoke the visas of Colombian government officials, their allies and supporters.

So, his idea of leadership is "tariffs" and being a bully. Fuck every asshole that voted for this prick.

 

[Shadowy Man]

He’s already wasting tax payer money using military aircraft and now Americans will pay more for Colombian goods. Sheesh. Is America great again yet??