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His attacks on the mayor are so revolting! This nightmare never ends. Remember those fools here a year ago defending him and wanting him to win? They were even believing nonsense such as Pizzagate. :wacko: 

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13 hours ago, Hector said:

His attacks on the mayor are so revolting! This nightmare never ends. Remember those fools here a year ago defending him and wanting him to win? They were even believing nonsense such as Pizzagate. :wacko: 

Trump has been even worse as President than originally imagined which speaks volumes as we imagined that he would be dreadful.  It is sickening how revolting, divisive, racist, sexist, uncaring and offensive he has been. He keeps getting worse each day as well.  Plus, he is useless. He just diverts and deflects by being as horrible as possible. 

I have no idea how anyone could defend him today.  Surely his tweets about the mayor and Peurto Rico would make even his supporters feel ashamed of him. 

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Just lovely :sour:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-gay-sex-death-penalty-un-same-sex-relations-human-rights-council-saudi-arabia-iraq-nikki-haley-a7980981.html

US votes against UN resolution condemning gay sex death penalty, joining Iraq and Saudi Arabia

America one of 13 countries on Human Rights Council to oppose historic vote

Tom Embury-Dennis @tomemburyd 

Tuesday 3 October 2017 16:52 BST

The US is one of just 13 countries to have voted against a United Nations resolution condemning the death penalty for having gay sex. 

Although the vote passed, America joined countries such as China, Iraq and Saudi Arabia in opposing the move. 

The Human Rights Council resolution condemned the “imposition of the death penalty as a sanction for specific forms of conduct, such as apostasy, blasphemy, adulteryand consensual same-sex relations”.

It attacked the use of execution against persons with “mental or intellectual disabilities, persons below 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the crime, and pregnant women”.

It also expressed “serious concern that the application of the death penalty for adultery is disproportionately imposed on women”.

The US supported two failed amendments put forward by Russia, which stated the death penalty was not necessarily “a human rights violation” and that it is not a form of torture, but can lead to it “in some cases”. 

And it abstained on a “sovereignty amendment” put forward by Saudi Arabia, that stated “the right of all countries to develop their own laws and penalties”.

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) branded the amendments an attempt to “dilute its impact”. 

Despite America’s opposition, the vote in Geneva passed with 27 of the 47-member Human Rights Council in favour. 

There are currently six countries where the death penalty is used for people in same-sex relationships: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen, Nigeria and Somalia. This number rises to eight if the Isis-occupied territories of Iraq and Syria are included. 

There are another five countries where it is technically allowed, but not actually used in reality. 

Renato Sabbadini, ILGA Executive Director, said. “It is unconscionable to think that there are hundreds of millions of people living in states where somebody may be executed simply because of whom they love.

“This is a monumental moment where the international community has publicly highlighted that these horrific laws simply must end.” 

The 13 states to oppose the resolution were Botswana, Burundi, Egypt, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, China, India, Iraq, Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the US and the United Arab Emirates. 

The vote was introduced by eight countries - Belgium, Benin, Costa Rica, France, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia and Switzerland – and supported by countries around the world including the UK, Congo, Kyrgyzstan and Bolivia. 

The US State Department has been contacted for comment. 

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22 minutes ago, Hector said:

Just lovely :sour:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-gay-sex-death-penalty-un-same-sex-relations-human-rights-council-saudi-arabia-iraq-nikki-haley-a7980981.html

US votes against UN resolution condemning gay sex death penalty, joining Iraq and Saudi Arabia

America one of 13 countries on Human Rights Council to oppose historic vote

Tom Embury-Dennis @tomemburyd 

Tuesday 3 October 2017 16:52 BST

The US is one of just 13 countries to have voted against a United Nations resolution condemning the death penalty for having gay sex. 

Although the vote passed, America joined countries such as China, Iraq and Saudi Arabia in opposing the move. 

The Human Rights Council resolution condemned the “imposition of the death penalty as a sanction for specific forms of conduct, such as apostasy, blasphemy, adulteryand consensual same-sex relations”.

It attacked the use of execution against persons with “mental or intellectual disabilities, persons below 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the crime, and pregnant women”.

It also expressed “serious concern that the application of the death penalty for adultery is disproportionately imposed on women”.

The US supported two failed amendments put forward by Russia, which stated the death penalty was not necessarily “a human rights violation” and that it is not a form of torture, but can lead to it “in some cases”. 

And it abstained on a “sovereignty amendment” put forward by Saudi Arabia, that stated “the right of all countries to develop their own laws and penalties”.

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) branded the amendments an attempt to “dilute its impact”. 

Despite America’s opposition, the vote in Geneva passed with 27 of the 47-member Human Rights Council in favour. 

There are currently six countries where the death penalty is used for people in same-sex relationships: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen, Nigeria and Somalia. This number rises to eight if the Isis-occupied territories of Iraq and Syria are included. 

There are another five countries where it is technically allowed, but not actually used in reality. 

Renato Sabbadini, ILGA Executive Director, said. “It is unconscionable to think that there are hundreds of millions of people living in states where somebody may be executed simply because of whom they love.

“This is a monumental moment where the international community has publicly highlighted that these horrific laws simply must end.” 

The 13 states to oppose the resolution were Botswana, Burundi, Egypt, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, China, India, Iraq, Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the US and the United Arab Emirates. 

The vote was introduced by eight countries - Belgium, Benin, Costa Rica, France, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia and Switzerland – and supported by countries around the world including the UK, Congo, Kyrgyzstan and Bolivia. 

The US State Department has been contacted for comment. 

Disgusting. Do US citizens know about this?  What truly fucked up state of the world. 

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Will Rex get fired next?

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/04/politics/tillerson-trump-moron/index.html

Tensions escalate after Tillerson calls Trump 'moron'

By Kaitlan Collins, Barbara Starr, Jeff Zeleny, Elizabeth Landers and Kevin Liptak, CNN 

Updated 3:03 PM EDT, Wed October 04, 2017

Tillerson insisted he enjoys a close relationship with Trump

He would not directly deny that he'd called Trump a 'moron'

(CNN) Discord between President Donald Trump and his chief diplomat is at an all-time high, spilling into public view in recent days and peaking with a NBC News report Wednesday that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called Trump a "moron" in a Pentagon meeting.

Trump was aware before Wednesday's report that Tillerson had referred to him as a "moron" at the Pentagon this summer, a source familiar with the conversation told CNN, but it's unclear whether Trump discussed the remark with Tillerson. Trump was not present at the Pentagon meeting. A White House source also confirmed to CNN that Trump knew about the insult prior to Wednesday.

During a hastily arranged statement Wednesday morning, Tillerson insisted he enjoys a close relationship with Trump and called him "smart." But he would not directly deny that he'd called Trump a "moron."

"I'm not going to deal with petty stuff like that," Tillerson said from the State Department Treaty Room. "I'm just not going to be part of this effort to divide this administration."

Though Tillerson didn't deny calling Trump a moron, Trump tweeted: "The @NBCNews story has just been totally refuted by Sec. Tillerson and @VP Pence. It is #FakeNews. They should issue an apology to AMERICA!"

Trump was flying aboard Air Force One at the time to greet survivors of Sunday's mass shooting in Las Vegas.

Trump later told reporters inside a Las Vegas hospital he has "total confidence" in Tillerson,

Trump called reports that the secretary of state called him a moron "fake news" and "totally made up."

Trump answered the question after praising the work of doctors and nurses who responded to Sunday's mass shooting on the Las Vegas strip.

Not pleased

After Tillerson's comments, a person familiar with Trump's thinking said the President is not pleased that Tillerson's terming him a "moron" has been made public, but isn't on the verge of asking for his resignation.

The President and Tillerson have an uneasy relationship, this person said, but Trump is wary of another high-profile departure from his administration after a tumultuous eight months in office.

Trump is cognizant that his administration and inner West Wing operation are shedding staff at an alarming clip. Trump has either dismissed or seen quit a chief of staff, national security adviser, press secretary, two communications directors, chief strategist, acting attorney general, FBI director, and -- as of Friday -- a Health and Human Services secretary.

Trump, above all, wants to project a sense of competence and believes the rapid turnover of staff helps fuel the notion his administration is in chaos, according to the source.

Over the past several months, Trump has been agitated -- but not outright furious -- at the distance Tillerson has put between himself and the White House on issues like Qatar, Charlottesville and North Korea. 

Tillerson's pressure on Trump to certify Iran's compliance with the deal in July made him more upset, but nearly every national security official within the administration was on Tillerson's side, making it harder for Trump to fully blame his top diplomat.

Separately, another official suggested Tillerson will want to help Trump get through his November slog through Asia, an exhausting five-country tour that includes a high-stakes visit to Beijing. Tillerson was in Beijing last week to lay some of the groundwork for those talks.

Sources say Vice President Mike Pence has become a bit of a sounding board for Tillerson, and the two men often have lunch together. After the "moron" remark, an aide says Pence advised Tillerson on "setting expectations" and counseled him on how to work with the administration toward the President's goals.

Pence's spokesman denied Pence discussing with Tillerson the chief diplomat's potential resignation.

"At no time did he and the secretary ever discuss the prospect of the secretary's resignation from the administration. Any reporting to the contrary is categorically false," said Jarrod Agen, Pence's spokesman. 

A senior White House adviser said there is "certainly some friction there to say the least" between Tillerson and the White House but pointed fingers at West Wing staff rather than directly at the President. This person said Tillerson is "obviously growing frustrated because of the unpredictable nature of his job."

'They're all good'

Heather Nauert, the State Department spokeswoman, said that Tillerson and Trump spoke after the secretary of state's remarks on Wednesday.

"It was a good conversation and they're all good," she said. Nauert also said Tillerson told her he'd never used "moron" to describe the President.

But Trump isn't the only person in the West Wing who Tillerson has been at odds with. He became so "irate" with national security adviser H.R. McMaster earlier this year on a conference call that Defense Secretary James Mattis had to step in, an administration official directly familiar with the incident says.

"Tillerson and McMaster do not do well together," said the official, who left the administration several weeks ago in an unrelated matter.

This person, who is directly familiar with other multiple interactions involving Tillerson, declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.

During that conference call, Tillerson, Mattis and McMaster were discussing the way ahead on the proposed strategy for fighting the war in Afghanistan. McMaster was pressing for a faster decision-making process from the Pentagon and State Department. As the official described it, Tillerson finally became so irritated with the White House pressure, he said they could move ahead without him. It is not clear if that was a threat to resign.

"Voices were raised" during that call, the official said. Mattis then stepped in and reminded McMaster that the State Department and Pentagon did not have a significant number of Senate-confirmed senior staff officials who could quickly work these problems. The official said McMaster then realized "he overstepped" and backed off.

But the official also describes a series of meetings and interactions in which Tillerson has become repeatedly irritated. The official said Mattis has tried to "mentor" Tillerson and treates him "with the respect of a peer, with talent, but maybe a guy without the political skills."

The official described private meetings in which Tillerson has become "a little more hotheaded" than he appears in public, using salty language, a trait that Mattis shares.

Though Tillerson's departure seems imminent, the friction between the President and his top diplomat may not have reached its boiling point yet. A person close to Tillerson said it has always been his plan to stay on at the State Department through the first year of the Trump administration but acknowledged again Wednesday that his future is "up to the President." 

Trump recently seemed to undercut Tillerson when he said he was wasting his time attempting new dialogue with North Korea.

"I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful secretary of state, that he is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man," Trump wrote on Twitter. "Save your energy Rex. we'll do what has to be done!"

Despite this, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Monday that Trump still had confidence in Tillerson, despite their different messages on North Korea.

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http://www.towleroad.com/2017/10/jeff-sessions-transgender-title-vii/

Jeff Sessions Reverses Policy That Protects Transgender People from Discrimination Under Title VII of Civil Rights Act

by Andy Towle
October 5, 2017 | 11:50am

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has just rescinded a policy that protected transgender people under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Buzzfeed News reports:

Sessions’ directive, obtained by BuzzFeed News, says, “Title VII’s prohibition on sex discrimination encompasses discrimination between men and women but does not encompass discrimination based on gender identity per se, including transgender status.”

It adds that the government will take this position in pending and future matters, which could have far-reaching implications across the federal government and may result in the Justice Department fighting against transgender workers in court.

“Although federal law, including Title VII, provides various protections to transgender individuals, Title VII does not prohibit discrimination based on gender identity per se,” Sessions writes. “This is a conclusion of law, not policy. As a law enforcement agency, the Department of Justice must interpret Title VII as written by Congress.”

…The memo reflects the Justice Department’s aggression toward LGBT rights under President Trump and Sessions, who reversed Obama-era guidance that protects transgender students after a few weeks in office. Last month, Sessions filed a brief at the Supreme Court in favor of a Christian baker who refused a wedding cake to a gay couple. And last week, the department argued in court that Title VII doesn’t protect a gay worker from discrimination, showing that Sessions will take his view on Title VII into private employment disputes.

At issue in the latest policy is how broadly the government interprets Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which does not address LGBT rights directly. Rather, it prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.

The DNC released this statement:

“This week, Jeff Sessions escalated the Trump administration’s war on LGBTQ people. By reinterpreting our employment laws to try to stop protecting transgender people from discrimination, Donald Trump, Mike Pence, and Jeff Sessions have revealed their real goal – turn the clock back to a time when life was even more difficult for LGBTQ people, transgender individuals in particular.

“Fortunately, the courts have rebuked this bigotry and made clear that LGBTQ Americans have the right to be free from discrimination in the workplace. It’s time for Congress to do the same, because Attorney General Sessions can’t be trusted to protect us or our civil rights. Democrats support the right of LGBTQ people to live and work without fear and demand Sessions stop using the Department of Justice to further this administration’s divisive agenda.”

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Trump describes White House gathering of military leaders as 'calm before the storm'

ALISA WIERSEMA AND DAVID CAPLAN

President Donald Trump made cryptic, seemingly threatening remarks during a White House gathering of U.S. military leaders Thursday night, saying it represented "the calm before the storm."

The president made the comments as he and first lady Melania Trump posed for a group photo with his senior military leaders and their spouses in the State Dining Room of the White House.

"You guys know what this represents? Maybe the calm before the storm," the commander in chief said.

"We have the world's great military people in this room," he added, as live classical music played.

Pres. Trump makes cryptic remarks during White House gathering of military leaders, saying gathering could represent "calm before the storm" pic.twitter.com/h5hign9ZR6

— ABC News (@ABC) October 6, 2017

"What storm, Mr. President?" one reporter shouted.

"You'll find out," the president said.

Trump was equally coy on Friday in the Oval Office when he was asked again about the remark after he signed a proclamation about National Manufacturing Day.

"You'll find out," he said, after winking. "We'll see."

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said that the president was not making a joke and that it continues to be the desire of the administration not to divulge the potential for military action, whether planned or not.

"I think you can take the president protecting the American people always extremely serious," she said, without offering further explanation for Trump's words. She did push back on the theory that he was "messing with the press."

"I think we have some serious world issues here," continued Sanders later in the briefing. "I think that North Korea, Iran both continue to be bad actors and the president is somebody who's going to always look for ways to protect Americans and he's not going to dictate what those actions may look like."

Prior to his Thursday evening comments, Trump said the group of military leaders would discuss the most pressing issues facing the country, including North Korea and Iran.

Trump said "tremendous progress" had been made with ISIS, adding, "I guess the media's going to be finding out about that over the next short period of time."

He also said Iran should not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

And of North Korea he said, "We cannot allow this dictatorship to threaten our nation or allies with unimaginable loss of life," adding that his administration will "do what we must do to prevent that from happening and it will be done, if necessary. Believe me."

 

https://www.yahoo.com/gma/trump-describes-white-house-gathering-military-leaders-calm-032104717--abc-news-topstories.html

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54 minutes ago, Skin said:

Is he dead yet? 

I think about this often.

Not in a morbid sense, but I truly wonder how long he can continue his lifestyle and not drop dead from cardiac arrest. He's not healthy. He's out of shape. He's admitted to only sleeping like 3-4 hours a night. He eats fast food all the time. He doesn't exercise. He's constantly angry. I truly can't see him living past 80 years old.

And maybe it's wishful thinking, but I honestly can't see him seeking another term out of sheer exhaustion. At least I hope not. I don't use the term 'HATE' to describe human beings, but I can say unequivocally, I truly hate him and what he's done to this country. He has, in the worst way, divided people on a level that has never been seen. One could even say it's almost brilliant in the fashion in which he's done it. But I despise everything he stands for, everything he says, and everything he's done as a human being. He's truly a deplorable.  

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10 minutes ago, KalamazooJay said:

And maybe it's wishful thinking, but I honestly can't see him seeking another term out of sheer exhaustion. 

Or perhaps he'll want out because he is suffering under these inhumane conditions :crazy:

 

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It's all about legacy. So far he hasn't left any. Not with his ugly ass buildings, not with branding his name to the most ridiculous products. His brand is in severe decline. With his presidency he has achieved basically nothing except for managing to fulfill some promises he has made to his voters. Many of those by even cheating to get these things done, like getting his Supreme Court judge approved. He desperately wants to make his mark so people may remember him in the decades and centuries to come. Since he is unable to do it in a "positive" way he is turning aggressive. I can totally see him going to war for the sole reason to be remembered. The strange logic behind it? Look at all the evil people in history. I would like to argue that they are better known than the people who did good things. And even worse, those mass murderers still have a following and the adoration of a lot of (evil or dumb) people. Trump has sworn to work for the good of the American people. All I can see is that he is damaging the reputation of the U.S.A. and God forbid he uses nuclear weapons.

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16 hours ago, KalamazooJay said:

I think about this often.

Not in a morbid sense, but I truly wonder how long he can continue his lifestyle and not drop dead from cardiac arrest. He's not healthy. He's out of shape. He's admitted to only sleeping like 3-4 hours a night. He eats fast food all the time. He doesn't exercise. He's constantly angry. I truly can't see him living past 80 years old.

And maybe it's wishful thinking, but I honestly can't see him seeking another term out of sheer exhaustion. At least I hope not. I don't use the term 'HATE' to describe human beings, but I can say unequivocally, I truly hate him and what he's done to this country. He has, in the worst way, divided people on a level that has never been seen. One could even say it's almost brilliant in the fashion in which he's done it. But I despise everything he stands for, everything he says, and everything he's done as a human being. He's truly a deplorable.  

This. Almost a YEAR later and it's basically as horrid to deal with every day. Not like if any other typical/normal Republican won (Romney,  Bush, Rubio etc..) who I wouldn't agree with on most if not all issues but would be able to get through it like we did with George W. At least all those men are actually SANE, decent on some level and would know how to do the job. Been nothing but a 24/7 shit/ horror show. My feeling towards the orangutan are equally as raw as much as a year or 2 ago during the campaign to this very day. That face, voice, energy, persona etc...pushes every worst button imaginable. I don't and won't 'wish' any harm but if it happens, whatevas. 'God' did their thing lol. 

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The Trump media show we see everyday reminds me so much of Britney Spears breakdown days. We can't go through a day without Trump being mentioned or talked about. Honestly it's exhausted and it's been not even a whole year. Since he took office ( actually much earlier than that) it's been constant and it's becoming a dangerous freak show. In the same veins as Britney who fell into the trap of living life through the attention of the medias Trump just can't help himself. Media attention is not about being positive or negative after all. It's all about the attention. Trump just like Britney can't go through an hour- let alone a day - without making sure every little thing worth of talk will make headlines breaking news. That's what too much fame does to you. The problem is Trump is the USA president not a teen pop star and unlike Britney who was only a lonely young woman yearning for true love Trump is a power hungry narcissistic with billions in the bank. No intervention will save him. We will just have to deal with a madman in charge of the future of the world and hope he ll be removed asap.  At this moment I expect the USA to declare war to NK. There is so much going in the world.. it's hard to watch.

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2 hours ago, Raider of the lost Ark said:

^^^ LOL. What a great response. And look at the numbers. Much more Likes and Re-Tweets than Trumps original posts. And this is what Trump probably bothers even more than the clever response itself.

:yes::doh::wacko:

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I didn’t get to know Bob very well, but I knew his father and mother fairly well, and his response sounds exactly like something Phil would have said lmao.

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