Trump II

[Alan Goldhammer]

Turkey claims that the Dutch nationals (some are 3rd generation Dutch with Turkish grandparents) are Turkish residents, and they will treat them the same as those living in Turkey, even on foreign soil.

I think Erdogan thinks that FIFA (the international federation for football (e.g., soccer in the US)) is the ruling body in this regard!!!     He just wants some better players for his country!

For those in the US who might not understand, FIFA allows lineage to be used in determining what nation a player can represent in international competition.  Thus, someone who is born in The Netherlands with a Turkish grandparent is eligible to play for Turkey in the World Cup.  there are a number of Dutch born players of Moroccan descent that play for that country's national team. 

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

...his grandma could finally come over for a visit.
I remember well his surprise over how his grandma would hush him and start whispering at the mere mention of the words russia and/or politics, afraid as she was that the neighbours might hear.

Ah, the arrogance of youth! The grandma simply knew better, that someone, somewhere, is always listening! 

http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-cia-mi5-hacked-your-smart-tv-to-spy-on-you/

[32BT]

Ah, the arrogance of youth! The grandma simply knew better, that someone, somewhere, is always listening! 

http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-cia-mi5-hacked-your-smart-tv-to-spy-on-you/

Ah, sure, the added value of the internuts of things
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-18/my-friend-cayla-doll-banned-germany-over-surveillance-concerns/8282508

http://www.news.com.au/technology/online/security/millions-of-recorded-messages-between-parents-and-children-targeted-in-teddy-bear-toy-hack/news-story/d8a4f09e975a6f83f7bd24ec22f40dc5

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

Funny how the Dutch play tough when their a$$ is on the line, while criticizing us for the same.

I don't recall 'the Dutch' criticizing the USA when the Russian 'diplomats' were expelled by the Obama administration. Maybe you have something else in mind?

Cheers,
Bart

[kers]

Funny how the Dutch play tough when their a$$ is on the line, while criticizing us for the same.

I am sure the Dutch will not tolerate it that if our prime minister would continu to repeat that 1+1=3 and present is as the truth - as your president does.

Yes we are very tough

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

...Yes we are very tough

Like in Srebrenica?

[Alan Klein]

This is why we need NATO. Not to stop the Russians. But to prevent war from breaking out among European nations.  What's going to happen when the EU collapses?

[kers]

Like in Srebrenica?

like you were and are with the American Indians...

No let's not jump from one incident in world history to the other...
Lets stick to Trump - try to add some relevant info.

I was saying if that trump is not able to tell the truth about how many people were at his inauguration - what else we can believe from his mouth?
and that the Dutch would not have tolerated it if it was out prime minister.

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

Like in Srebrenica?

Not to get too far off topic, the Dutch troops called in Air strikes to stop the advancing army troops of Gen. Ratko Mladić . This air support was denied, so there was neither a possibility to defend the refugees nor the troops. Mladić threatened to kill Dutch and French military hostages and to attack surrounding locations where 20,000 to 30,000 civilian refugees were situated, if the airstrikes would continue. NATO stopped defending the enclave that was overrun by refugees. What the secret deal between French General Janvier and Mladić had to do with the denial of air support remains unclear.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srebrenica_massacre#4_June_and_6.E2.80.9311_July_1995:_Serb_take-over_of_Srebrenica

But really, bringing in this tragedy to score a point, is a bit sick.

Cheers,
Bart

[Alan Klein]

like you were and are with the American Indians...

No let's not jump from one incident in world history to the other...
Lets stick to Trump - try to add some relevant info.

I was saying if that trump is not able to tell the truth about how many people were at his inauguration - what else we can believe from his mouth?
and that the Dutch would not have tolerated it if it was out prime minister.

Yes let's blame Trump. It's his lying for all those problems between Turkey and the Netherlands.  You sound like a Democrat.

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

Yes let's blame Trump. It's his lying for all those problems between Turkey and the Netherlands.  You sound like a Democrat.

Don't know about that. Maybe you should ask Michael Flynn?
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-flynn-idUSKBN16H2OR

Cheers,
Bart

[tom b]

"and that the Dutch would not have tolerated it if it was out prime minister."

Damn spell check. Blame Slobodan!

Cheers,

[Alan Klein]

Don't know about that. Maybe you should ask Michael Flynn?
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-flynn-idUSKBN16H2OR

Cheers,
Bart

Why do you so disrespect America and Trump?  May I remind you it was America that stopped the carnage in Serbia 20 years ago while Europe sat on their asses. Someday you may need us again and you'll be crying on Trump's shoulder asking for forgiveness for all the nasty things you said about him.   You insulted him about his travel ban and immigration policies.   Meanwhile,  Europe's policies against Muslims are far more vindictive and getting worse.   You project your own prejudices on him and America.

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

Trump tried to call New York prosecutor Bharara before firing him: source
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-justice-idUSKBN16J0Y3

From the article:

On Wednesday, three watchdog groups asked Bharara to take steps to prevent the Trump Organization from receiving benefits from foreign governments that might enrich Trump, who has not given up ownership of the business.

Norm Eisen, a former White House ethics lawyer who leads one of the groups, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, questioned the timing of the firings.

"I do believe that something odd happened," he said. "You don't decide to keep 46 folks on, then suddenly demand their immediate exit, without some precipitating cause or causes."

Democrat Elijah Cummings, ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, said on Sunday it was the president's prerogative to fire U.S. attorneys. But he questioned why Trump had suddenly changed his mind on keeping Bharara.

"I'm just curious as to why that is," Cummings said on ABC's "This Week" program. "Certainly, there's a lot of questions coming up as to whether ... President Trump is concerned about the jurisdiction of this U.S. attorney and whether that might affect his future."

Cheers,
Bart

[Alan Goldhammer]

The decision to request resignations of  the Assistant US Attorneys is no big thing.  As the papers have noted it is customary and has been done by other Presidents.  The Bharara is somewhat curious since it is said that Trump asked him to stay on.  In the great world of Trump problems this is a pin prick and not worth getting worked up about.

[Alan Klein]

The decision to request resignations of  the Assistant US Attorneys is no big thing.  As the papers have noted it is customary and has been done by other Presidents.  The Bharara is somewhat curious since it is said that Trump asked him to stay on.  In the great world of Trump problems this is a pin prick and not worth getting worked up about.

US Attorneys in NY (Eastern and Southern Districts) often want to become elected politicians afterward or get appointed to higher positions.  It's the next step.  NYC Mayor Giuliani, NY Governor Eliot Spitzer, NY Governor Thomas Dewey, Attorney General of the US Loretta Lynch (appointed position), Director of the FBI James Comey, and many others were US Attorneys from NY as was Preet Bharara.  If you intend to run for political office as a Democrat, it's better to have on your résumé that you were fired by Republican President Trump rather than that you just resigned like 42 others.  Those kind of battle scars are important to your supporters and voters.    Which sounds better as a campaign slogan? 
Vote for Preet =  Fearless US Prosecutor who was Fired by Trump or
Vote for Preet =  Fearless US Prosecutor who Resigned

[laughingbear]

Legally, that minister of family affairs does not have the political immunity that a.o. her Foreign affairs colleague has.

All right! I didn't know this.

This entire BS with Turkey is going on since way too long. German policies in that regard are plain ridiculous and outright irresponsible.

We sent arms and intelligence to Kurdish Peshmerga troops supporting their immensely courageous fight against IS, but then look the other way when Turkish military bombards Kurdish fighters. The most you could get was a "Not very happy with that development." from Ms. Merkel and Co.

Btw. I do think that Interventionism is NATO agenda, as per extended arm of the US. However, power vacuum in Middle East is seductive to Erdogan and his clan, and explains their politics to a certain degree. Now that Mad Dog's obsession with Iran again turns into US foreign policy, Erdogan has an easy game rubbing shoulders with Trump.

Good Luck with the Elections Bart! Let reason and wisdom be their guide.

The country’s almost 13 million voters will line up March 15 at more than 9,000 polling stations to tick the box for their candidate with pencils, and these votes will be counted by hand. It’s unclear how long it will take officials to get it done.

Excellent!

I'll be in Netherlands on 15th, having an extra large portion of Kibbeling.

 

[laughingbear]

Someday you may need us again and you'll be crying on Trump's shoulder asking for forgiveness for all the nasty things you said about him. 

I said it before, I say it again, you do have a talent for "comedy". Meh! Utterly risible statement Alan.

[Alan Klein]

Don't know about that. Maybe you should ask Michael Flynn?
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-flynn-idUSKBN16H2OR

Cheers,
Bart

  So now you want to divert attention from mean spirited violence against Turks in the Netherlands.   While you castigate the Trump administration, the liberal Dutch are using batons, horse charges and water cannon on Muslims.  For shame. 

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3069645/dutch-riot-cops-batons-water-canon-horse-charges-turkish-protesters-rotterdam/

[Alan Klein]

I said it before, I say it again, you do have a talent for "comedy". Meh! Utterly risible statement Alan.

Thanks for the compliment although I think it was more satire with a ring of truth than comedy.