Kut's Trump Approval Thread #1 (Starts Out at 100%)

[T.Lex]

On a different front, if he doesn't address Ukraine within the next week, as in halt and withdraw otherwise anti-tank missiles will be on the ground in Ukrainian hands within 24 hours, then that'll be at least a -2, perhaps a -5 if Putin is emboldened and doubles down.

Both bad actors are testing Pres Trump and should be addressed with appropriate and escalating responses.

The South China Sea is still out there, too. The last I saw from the press secretary was that they were going to determine the legal status. No score until that assessment, IMHO.

I'm not going to be a fan of deadlines for the POTUS on expectations for action. Its hard to know what's going on behind the scenes. I'm willing to assume that things are being arranged to best support an eventual statement/pronouncement/action.

At some point, Putin will do something big that will require a response. That response (or lack thereof) should be open to scoring.

 

[SheepDog4Life]

The South China Sea is still out there, too. The last I saw from the press secretary was that they were going to determine the legal status. No score until that assessment, IMHO.

I concur... that is a slow simmer, so there is time to calibrate the response beyond the "words" earlier. I'm amazed that the illegal nature of their taking of international waters had not already been thoroughly researched under the Obama administration. Along with a spectrum of response options.

I'm not going to be a fan of deadlines for the POTUS on expectations for action. Its hard to know what's going on behind the scenes. I'm willing to assume that things are being arranged to best support an eventual statement/pronouncement/action.

I agree and only put a time frame on a Russian/Ukraine response because it is time sensitive. As I understand it, the push into Ukraine is to gain a crucial crossroads, control of which could strangle Ukraine. Also, if we don't put very real stop signs (consequences, not words) in front of Putin, he will continue passing GO and collecting $200 dollars.

At some point, Putin will do something big that will require a response. That response (or lack thereof) should be open to scoring.

I disgree. Putin is a chess player, not a Hold'em player pushing all in. Allowing it to come to the point that he thinks he can get away with, or net benefit, from doing something "big" constitutes a failure in itself.

He would get extra points for sending say, half-a-dozen anti-tank weapons to the Ukraine while alerting the Russian ambassador more are close by... and wait for the phone call.

 

[T.Lex]

I concur... that is a slow simmer, so there is time to calibrate the response beyond the "words" earlier. I'm amazed that the illegal nature of their taking of international waters had not already been thoroughly researched under the Obama administration.

Heck - Trump's had the entire campaign and transition to have the issue researched. And really, it isn't that complicated.

So, I'll stick with the hope/expectation something's going on behind the scenes.

I agree and only put a time frame on a Russian/Ukraine response because it is time sensitive. As I understand it, the push into Ukraine is to gain a crucial crossroads, control of which could strangle Ukraine. Also, if we don't put very real stop signs (consequences, not words) in front of Putin, he will continue passing GO and collecting $200 dollars.

I disgree. Putin is a chess player, not a Hold'em player pushing all in. Allowing it to come to the point that he thinks he can get away with, or net benefit, from doing something constitutes a failure in itself.

Well, so far, things remain in the hands of proxies. Indeed, Putin is creating a situation where the result is inevitable, and if action is to be successful (whatever that looks like), it should be now/soon/almost too late. But, for all we know the appropriate logistics are being arranged to accomplish something. I'd prefer that in secrecy to whatever he might do publicly.

He would get extra points for sending say, half-a-dozen anti-tank weapons to the Ukraine while alerting the Russian ambassador more are close by... and wait for the phone call.

Hey, if we're starting a list of things Trump could do to get points, that'll take more room.

 

[printcraft]

China is upset that south korea is putting in THAAD missile defense systems.

China, however, has objected to THAAD, saying it will destabilize the regional security balance, leading to calls from some South Korean opposition leaders to delay or cancel it.

Trump's defense chief: U.S. stands with Seoul to face N.Korea threat | Reuters

This is from the people annexing international waters and building military bases in those waters.

 

[SheepDog4Life]

And, this made me think about the Israel statements. Originally a -2 for telling Israel that they are an obstacle to peace, reduced to -1 since they walked it back to just, "new settlements are not helpful."

Positive points (and big ones at that) would be for endorsing the Israeli's continued building and expanding of settlements until the Palestinian's end their intransigence and come to the negotiating table in good faith. Also, to take the stance that certain, well-established Israeli settlements should remain part of Israel in any US-endorsed peace deal. To date, it was to the Palestinian's benefit to not negotiate... this new stance would make clear that the longer they wait, the more territory they lose.

 

[SheepDog4Life]

Heck - Trump's had the entire campaign and transition to have the issue researched. And really, it isn't that complicated.

So, I'll stick with the hope/expectation something's going on behind the scenes.



Well, so far, things remain in the hands of proxies. Indeed, Putin is creating a situation where the result is inevitable, and if action is to be successful (whatever that looks like), it should be now/soon/almost too late. But, for all we know the appropriate logistics are being arranged to accomplish something. I'd prefer that in secrecy to whatever he might do publicly.


Hey, if we're starting a list of things Trump could do to get points, that'll take more room.

Absolutely, operational security is essential. If the first inkling we have that anything is up are reports of Russian-backed rebels' armor "cooking off" at the Ukrainian front, that would be the highly elusive "perfect score".

Edited to add: Another -2 on OpSec for disclosing the timing and planning of the Yemini raid. Think any Al-Queda or ISIS leader will schedule any meetings for a new moon?

 

[T.Lex]

Absolutely, operational security is essential. If the first inkling we have that anything is up are reports of Russian-backed rebels' armor "cooking off" at the Ukrainian front, that would be the highly elusive "perfect score".

Totally agree with this. Partly because it will mean Trump has evolved into an effective action-taker, not just talker.

Now, whether foreign entanglements jeopardizes points from other audiences is a different matter.

 

[SheepDog4Life]

Totally agree with this. Partly because it will mean Trump has evolved into an effective action-taker, not just talker.

Now, whether foreign entanglements jeopardizes points from other audiences is a different matter.

This is definitely a case of WWRRD.

 

[T.Lex]

This is definitely a case of WWRRD.

Use the CIA to to funnel guns to Iran and money to banana republics?

Ok, but this scoring system is going to get complicated.

 

[ATM]

WWRPD?

Reagan wasn't libertarian enough.

 

[SheepDog4Life]

Use the CIA to to funnel guns to Iran and money to banana republics?

Ok, but this scoring system is going to get complicated.

That one I would have scored +5 each, on the Iran and Contra fronts. A bonus point or two for creativity. -5 for being illegal. -20 for getting caught.

 

[Kutnupe14]

Is Mike Pence an idiot or just trolling? Abraham Lincoln is the first guy you decide to recognize for Black History Month. Lol

Pence Score 100 -100 = 0

 

[ATM]

Is Mike Pence an idiot or just trolling? Abraham Lincoln is the first guy you decide to recognize for Black History Month. Lol

Pence Score 100 -100 = 0

There is no black history, only history. Party on, 'broham!

 

[Kutnupe14]

There is no black history, only history. Party on, 'broham!

That's a red herring, as it avoids the substance of the question. No one is questioning the existence or nonexistence of the thing called "Black History Month."

 

[ATM]

That's a red herring, as it avoids the substance of the question. No one is questioning the existence or nonexistence of the thing called "Black History Month."

OK, Pence is a troll.

And in unrelated news: "There is no black history, only history."

 

[Kutnupe14]

OK, Pence is a troll.

And in unrelated news: "There is no black history, only history."

I'll take it.

 

[ATM]

I'll take it.

I'm not sure if that got funnier or less funny, but whatever ...high five!

 

[ATM]

Too late.

 

[KG1]

I'll take it.

Sell out.

 

[Kutnupe14]

Sell out.

I decided not to press