Trump

[lsz]

We can argue the rights and wrongs, pros and cons of every single incident, and truth be told, if each incident is viewed on its merits, there is probably blame to be had on both sides. But taking a step back, my view is that the ongoing, long term destruction in political discourse is driven by the left and their conviction they occupy the high moral ground, which to their minds justifies and legitimises open and often violent rebellion against their political opponents. The most recent examples being the assassination attempts on Trump and the LA riots.

What I am saying is that the inability of both sides to ever accept something wrong / or something right is the issue.

As for the LA riots like I have said a couple of times anyone not conducting peaceful protest should be dealt with by the law no questions asked. Just like those on Jan 6 who were violent etc should be but not those who were protesting without violence

If there is a shortage in funding to do so maybe they could delay the next military parade and save some money?

 

[manlyfan76]

So keep it very simple & answer my question. If something was this important as you are claiming would you turn up late for it?

Where did I claim it was important? Just provided further info that is publicly available to correct what had been said.

He said he was in that building for a scheduled meeting, not the press briefing, saw her and went in to ask questions as she had ignored his department for weeks.

 

[Brookie1973]

What I am saying is that the inability of both sides to ever accept something wrong / or something right is the issue.

As for the LA riots like I have said a couple of times anyone not conducting peaceful protest should be dealt with by the law no questions asked. Just like those on Jan 6 who were violent etc should be but not those who were protesting without violence

If there is a shortage in funding to do so maybe they could delay the next military parade and save some money?

I agree, both sides are firmly entrenched in their respective beliefs. Not sure what the answer is. There probably isn’t one. Still struggling to understand why you’ve chosen this relatively obscure apparent publicity stunt to demonstrate your point - there have been plenty of more significant examples (from both sides) over recent years.

I think there is plenty of money to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US military, the one which helped saved the world from German Nazism, Japanese Imperialism and Russian Communism, saved South Korea from whatever form of “government” they now enjoy in North Korea, and usually takes the lead in so-called UN peace keeping efforts around the globe.

 

[Woodsie]

If I was part of that security team ... I doubt my training would allow me to stop removing him (as a threat) just because a casually dressed gate crasher cries I'm a Senator ...

a politician and her husband were just shot dead hours ago in Michican ...

 

[lsz]

I agree, both sides are firmly entrenched in their respective beliefs. Not sure what the answer is. There probably isn’t one. Still struggling to understand why you’ve chosen this relatively obscure apparent publicity stunt to demonstrate your point - there have been plenty of more significant examples (from both sides) over recent years.

I think there is plenty of money to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US military, the one which helped saved the world from German Nazism, Japanese Imperialism and Russian Communism, saved South Korea from whatever form of “government” they now enjoy in North Korea, and usually takes the lead in so-called UN peace keeping efforts around the globe.

Honestly it is my breaking point

I am so sick of the inability of any politician to ever concede ground.

 

[Brookie1973]

Honestly it is my breaking point

I am so sick of the inability of any politician to ever concede ground.

Mate, the trick is not to take it too seriously. Whatever happens will happen, regardless of you or me worrying about it. Too much angst in the world thanks to mobile phones and the internet. Kids in the 50s and 60s were scared witless about a nuclear war which never came. Stick to stressing about Manly, now that’s something worth worrying about.

 

[Brookie1973]

3 USAID executives plead guilty to 10 year $550m fraud and bribery scheme. Shocked I tell you.

 

[The '47ers]

Christ, when is enough enough, I'd give it away after the first $100M!

 

[Woodsie]

The U.S. government is the single-largest aid donor in the world, according to the United Nations, accounting for more than 40% of all humanitarian aid the UN tracked in 2024. How big is foreign aid as a share of the entire federal budget?

Bugger me .... and the numbnuts are whinging about the US cutting back and trying to eliminate the level of corruption and down right stupid handouts ....

Maybe try getting the rest of the world to lift their games instead ... Trump is the US President ... not the world's failed states sugar-daddy.

 

[Buddy Love]

 

[Brookie1973]

Looks a bit like Beirut (the “Paris of the Middle East”) before progress happened.

 

[Buddy Love]

Looks a bit like Beirut (the “Paris of the Middle East”) before progress happened.

Those dancing girls with the long beards 😍

 

[lsz]

The U.S. government is the single-largest aid donor in the world, according to the United Nations, accounting for more than 40% of all humanitarian aid the UN tracked in 2024. How big is foreign aid as a share of the entire federal budget?

Bugger me .... and the numbnuts are whinging about the US cutting back and trying to eliminate the level of corruption and down right stupid handouts ....

Maybe try getting the rest of the world to lift their games instead ... Trump is the US President ... not the world's failed states sugar-daddy.

I shall start shouting into the void now....

There is no doubt there is some waste in any government program. In answer to your question how big is USAID as a % of the federal budget?

According to the non partisan USA facts it is 0.3% of total federal spending.

What does USAID do? | USAFacts

Our nation, in numbers. USAFacts provides a comprehensive, nonpartisan view of the state of our union.

usafacts.org

It did peak in 2023 but that can attributed to supporting the Ukraine.

So now we know that as a % it is not actually that high what is the point of foreign aid? As you state Trump is the US President not the worlds failed states sugar daddy?

As much as we would all like to stay in our bubble this is not the case anymore. Again I must stress there is no doubt there would be some ineffective / wasteful programs however

1. Examples like this Unlocking the Impact of USAID: Mission, Goals, and Global Contributions - fundsforNGOs and the efforts to contain infectous disease
2. Or this to stabilise an ongoing threat Ivory Coast is losing US aid as al-Qaida and other extremist groups are approaching

There are many elements that are (well were) part of a strategic program to help secure the US

 

[lsz]

Mate, the trick is not to take it too seriously. Whatever happens will happen, regardless of you or me worrying about it. Too much angst in the world thanks to mobile phones and the internet. Kids in the 50s and 60s were scared witless about a nuclear war which never came. Stick to stressing about Manly, now that’s something worth worrying about.

Missed this one - thanks but it does keep me up a fair bit!

 

[Brookie1973]

I shall start shouting into the void now....

There is no doubt there is some waste in any government program. In answer to your question how big is USAID as a % of the federal budget?

According to the non partisan USA facts it is 0.3% of total federal spending.

What does USAID do? | USAFacts

Our nation, in numbers. USAFacts provides a comprehensive, nonpartisan view of the state of our union.

usafacts.org

It did peak in 2023 but that can attributed to supporting the Ukraine.

So now we know that as a % it is not actually that high what is the point of foreign aid? As you state Trump is the US President not the worlds failed states sugar daddy?

As much as we would all like to stay in our bubble this is not the case anymore. Again I must stress there is no doubt there would be some ineffective / wasteful programs however

1. Examples like this Unlocking the Impact of USAID: Mission, Goals, and Global Contributions - fundsforNGOs and the efforts to contain infectous disease
2. Or this to stabilise an ongoing threat Ivory Coast is losing US aid as al-Qaida and other extremist groups are approaching

There are many elements that are (well were) part of a strategic program to help secure the US

Total US Government spending is huge - circa $6.75 trillion a year, so any one programme will look small as a % of that. For balance, it is worthwhile pointing out that two-thirds of that spending is categorised as “mandatory” and relates to things like Medicare, Health and Social Security. Total discretionary or supplementary spending accounts for the other third, of which USAID would form a part. Obviously the percentage spend would be much larger of that more relevant component.

It is also worth referring back to post #289 on page 15 of this thread, where it was noted that the credit agency Moodys was proposing a downgrade of the US credit rating, citing rising debt and excessive spending over decades. A key plank of the Trump administration has been to address excessive discretionary spending, with cuts to USAID being one component of that.

 

[lsz]

Total US Government spending is huge - circa $6.75 trillion a year, so any one programme will look small as a % of that. For balance, it is worthwhile pointing out that two-thirds of that spending is categorised as “mandatory” and relates to things like Medicare, Health and Social Security. Total discretionary or supplementary spending accounts for the other third, of which USAID would form a part. Obviously the percentage spend would be much larger of that more relevant component.

It is also worth referring back to post #289 on page 15 of this thread, where it was noted that the credit agency Moodys was proposing a downgrade of the US credit rating, citing rising debt and excessive spending over decades. A key plank of the Trump administration has been to address excessive discretionary spending, with cuts to USAID being one component of that.

Look there are far larger areas that you can cut like social security etc (see below)

I am 10000% sure there are areas to cut in all programs however taking a blanket approach really does undermine some of the good work which was done.

This is worth a read about some of the potential waste (although as always there has been some serious fudging going on) Sorting Out the Facts on 'Waste and Abuse' at USAID - FactCheck.org

Take this one

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/06/06/trump-radio-free-asia-cuts-china-propaganda/

Where by defunding Radio Free Asia opened up the door for China propaganda which will only ultimately impact the US